Free agent frenzy has come and gone in the NHL, and the market now contains very little of substance for teams to add over the next few weeks. Rick Nash remains the only real impact skater available, though he hasn’t made a decision whether he’s going to play hockey in 2018-19 yet, or at least hasn’t informed anyone. While we wait on more professional tryouts to be given out to the veteran names still out there like Luca Sbisa, Alexei Emelin, Troy Brouwer or Shawn Matthias, there is at least one position that seems to have two perfectly fine options available.
Backup goaltenders are more valuable than some people realize around the NHL, given that they play in somewhere around 20-40% of a team’s games during the season. Even the workhorses of the league, Connor Hellebuyck and Cam Talbot, only played 67 games last season leaving 15 to their backup. That’s the extreme low end of what a second netminder may have to face, meaning it’s worthwhile to invest at least a little bit of capital in them before the season begins.
On that front, there are two names remaining that stick out right away. With respect to Ondrej Pavelec, who actually had a decent season and likely deserves to also be in contention for another backup role, Kari Lehtonen and Steve Mason are the obvious choices. Both are veteran goaltenders with years of experience starting, and have accumulated Vezina Trophy votes in the past as some of the best goaltenders in the league. Both are also coming off contracts that proved to be way too expensive for their performance, but can still likely help a team in need.
The problem is there isn’t a ton of opportunity out there. The New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets stick out as the most likely options, given that they currently have Marek Mazanec, Pheonix Copley, Alex Stalock and Laurent Brossoit penciled into the bottom of the roster. None of those are guaranteed to be worse than Lehtonen or Mason though, plus each team has some other options if they so chose. The Rangers have Alexandar Georgiev that could push for the role, while the Capitals have just brought over Ilya Samsonov. The Wild brought in Andrew Hammond to make sure Stalock stays focused and performing, while the Jets jettisoned Mason because they’ll have Eric Comrie waiting once he signs a contract.
So where will Lehtonen and Mason end up playing this season? Is it the end of their career prematurely, or will they find a role somewhere overseas to continue their puck-stopping ways? We’ve included those four teams and a few others that may end up needed another netminder, but if you think another NHL organization will be looking for goaltending help, don’t be afraid to let us know. Cast your vote for each below, and make sure to explain why in the comments.
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Lehtonen for backup with the rangers. Holtby and a healthy Steve mason looks like a nice duo.
If their price drops I wouldn’t mind seeing one as the backup in Pittsburgh
Me, too. DeSmith is not an NHL goalie.
Steve Mason’s poor play in recent seasons isn’t his only issue. The Flyers didn’t want him back last season because he wasn’t well liked by his teammates. He consistently through them under the bus in the press, even when he let in weak goals. He refused to mentor young goalies. I can’t see the Capitals bringing that kind of teammate into their locker room.
Calgary and Buffalo both need upgrades. Edmonton can use a more reliable option if Koskinen and whatshisface dont prove reliable.