Greatest Goaltenders in NHL History for Every Team

These masked and unmasked men have set the standard between the pipes.

Greatest Goaltenders in NHL History for Every Team

Martin Brodeur won three Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils and was selected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

If there’s a more thankless, underappreciated and important job than hockey goaltender in all of team sports, it escapes us at the moment. Sort of like a Shea Weber 106.5-miles-per-hour slap shot through the screen.

On a nightly basis, these gluttons for punishment volunteer to stand in front of pieces of hard vulcanized rubber, many of them lasers at 90 miles per hour or more. While some large humans circle them like Jaws around a 4-by-6 steel cage.

When a puck gets past them, lights flash and sirens blare as if to scream "The goalie sucks!" in public. Then some overweight broadcaster who has never played a shift in his life pontificates from above, "Boy, he sure wishes he had that one back!”

As a tribute to these masked (and unmasked) men, we’ve selected the best goaltenders ever with a twist. It takes more than one goalie to win these days, so the top pair have been chosen for each of the 31 NHL franchises. Then those 62 are ranked against each other. OK, let's fire away.

Note: A minimum of 200 games played (where possible) is needed to qualify. Statistics are for the listed franchises only and complete through the 2019-20 NHL All-Star break. Those with asterisks are incomplete.

62. Malcolm Subban — Vegas Golden Knights

Career: 2014-present (5 seasons)

Other teams: Boston Bruins (2014-17)

Years with Golden Knights: 2017-present (3 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Golden Knights : 59

Record: 27-21-7

Goals-against average: 2.87

Save percentage: .904

Point shares/82 games: 11.5

Bottom line: This expansion franchise hasn’t been around long, but somebody has to be here.

Next man up for Golden Knights: None

61. Steve Mason — Columbus Blue Jackets

Career: 2008-18 (10 seasons)

Other teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2012-17), Winnipeg Jets (2017-18)

Years with Blue Jackets: 2008-13 (5 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Blue Jackets: 232

Record: 96-99-27

Goals-against average: 2.90

Save percentage: .903

Points shares/82: 11.6

Bottom line: Whatever happened to this guy after a stellar Calder Trophy season (33-20-7/2.29/.916) remains one of the unsolved mysteries in the sport.

Lack of performance and physical problems hastened his retirement.

Next man up for Blue Jackets: Marc Denis

60. Kirk McLean — Vancouver Canucks

Career: 1985-2001 (16 seasons)

Other teams: New Jersey Devils (1985-87), Carolina Hurricanes (1997-98), Florida Panthers (1997-99), New York Rangers (1999-2001)

Years with Canucks: 1987-98 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Canucks: 516

Record: 211-228-62

Goals-against average: 3.28

Save percentage: .887

Point shares/82: 11.6

Bottom line: Granted, his raw numbers aren't much, but remember, most of them came in the live puck era.

The sixth-round draft pick helped carry his team to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance after a 23-26-3 record in the regular season.

Next man up for Canucks: Dan Cloutier

59. Patrick Lalime — Ottawa Senators

Career: 1996-2011 (12 seasons)

Other teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (1996-97), St. Luis Blues (2005-06), Chicago Blackhawks (2006-08), Buffalo Sabres (2008-11)

Years with Senators: 1999-2004 (5 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Senators: 283

Record: 146-100-30

Goals-against average: 2.32

Save percentage: .908

Point shares/82: 12.4

Bottom line: Roy-lime (after his idol Patrick Roy, natch) is the Senators' franchise leader in win percentage, goals-against average and shutouts.

Get this: His postseason GAA (1.77 is the best of any player in the expansion era.

Now for a shoutout to Dominik Hasek, who might have been the pick if not for health issues in his only season with the team.

58. Ondrej Pavelec — Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets

Career: 2007-18 (11 seasons)

Other teams: New York Rangers (2017-18)

Years with Thrashers/Jets: 2007-17 (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Thrashers/Jets: 379

Record: 152-158-47

Goals-against average: 2.87

Save percentage: .907

Point shares/82 games: 12.6

Bottom line: This guy deserves a gold star for his four seasons with the expansion Thrashers alone.

Next man up for Thrashers/Jets: Kari Lehtonen

57. Arturs Irbe — Carolina Hurricanes

Career: 1991-2004 (13 seasons)

Other teams: San Jose Sharks (1991-96), Dallas Stars (1996-97), Vancouver Canucks (1997-98)

Years with Hurricanes: 1998-2004 (six seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: none

Games with Hurricanes: 309

Record: 130-122-44

Goals-against average: 2.44

Save percentage: .906

Point shares/82: 12.7

Bottom line: His Canes career was spent in his 30s, but the 5-foot-8 mighty mite came up large more times than not.

He ranks second in every major category in team history.

Next man up with Hurricanes: Sean Burke

56. Marty Turco — Dallas Stars

Marty Turccco — Dallas Stars goaltender Marty Turco deflects a shot against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2002.

Career: 2000-12 (12 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2010-11), Boston Bruins (2011-12)

Years with Stars: 2000-2010 (9 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Stars: 509

Record: 262-154-63

Goals-against average: 2.31

Save percentage: .911

Point shares/82: 13.0

Bottom line: This Michigan man has the most victories of any goaler in club history.

And his 2.17 GAA in the playoffs is much better than his record (21-26) would have us believe.

Next man up for Stars: Kari Lehtonen

55. Chris Terreri — New Jersey Devils

Career: 1986-2001 (14 seasons)

Other teams: San Jose Sharks (1995-97), Chicago Blackhawks (1996-98), New York Islanders (2000-01)

Years with Devils: 1986-96, 1998-2001 (12 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1995

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Devils: 302

Record: 118-118-34

Goals-against average: 3.07

Save percentage: .892

Point shares/82: 13.4

Bottom line: Martin Brodeur’s caddie was the definition of mediocrity — 118-118-34 in the regular season, 11-11 in the playoffs — yet he still ranks second in wins in franchise history.

T-bone fun fact: He played eight minutes in the 1995 postseason and got his name engraved into the Stanley Cup forever.

Next man up for Devils: Cory Schneider

54. Mike Liut — St. Louis Blues

Career: 1979-1992 (15 seasons)

Other teams: Hartford Whalers (1984-90), Washington Capitals (1989-92)

Seasons with Blues: 1979-85 (6 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Blues: 347

Record: 151-133-52

Goals-against average: 3.59

Save percentage: .885

Point shares/82: 14.0

Bottom line: While his numbers took a hit in the live puck era, "Goals aren’t important — wins are," as The Fonz look-alike once put it. And no goalie won more in Blues history than this one.

He also was the first at the position to be named league Most Valuable Player in a vote of the players, who chose him over Wayne Gretzky, no less.

Next man up for Blues: Jake Allen

53. Mike Vernon — Calgary Flames

Career: 1982-2002 (19 seasons)

Other teams: Detroit Red Wings (1994-97), San Jose Sharks (1997-2000), Florida Panthers (1999-2000)

Years with Flames: 1982-94, 2000-02 (13 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1989)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Flames: 527

Record: 262-188-57

Goals-against average: 3.27

Save percentage: .883

Point shares/82: 11.1

Bottom line: They’ll argue who’s No. 1 in Cowtown until, well, the cows come home.

Miikka Kiprusoff owns most of the team records, but however reluctantly, Mike Vernon gets the nod as the best goaltender in Flames history because this bulldog hoisted the big prize.

How much does one Stanley Cup mean? If it’s the only one in the trophy case, then the answer is everything.

52. Evgeni Nabokov — San Jose Sharks

Career: 1999-15 (14 seasons)

Other teams: New York Islanders (2011-14), Tampa Bay Lightning (2014-15)

Seasons with Sharks: 2000-10 (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Sharks: 563

Record: 293-178-66

Goals-against average: 2.39

Save percentage: .912

Point shares/82: 14.2

Bottom line: "Nabby" put up regular-season and postseason numbers that were quite similar before he was shown the door. After the veteran helped carry the team to the Western Conference finals for the first time ever.

C’mon, that’s no way to treat the best netminder in franchise history.

51. Ed Belfour — Dallas Stars

Career: 1988-2007 (17 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (1988-97), San Jose Sharks (1996-97), Toronto Maple Leafs (2002-06), Florida Panthers (2006-07)

Years with Stars: 1997-2002 (five seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1999

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Stars: 307

Record: 160-95-44

Goals-against average: 2.19

Save percentage: .910

Point shares/82: 12.5

Bottom line: Few goalies had an extended run like Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour in the 1998-2000 playoffs for the Stars, when he won 40 games, pitched eight shutouts and outplayed Dominik Hasek in the 1999 championship round.

Oh, and Belfour also owns the best goals-against average in franchise history.

50. Niklas Backstrom — Minnesota Wild

Career: 2006-16 (10 seasons)

Other teams: Calgary Flames (2015-16)

Years with Wild: 2006-15 (9 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Wild: 409

Record: 194-142-50

Goals-against average: 2.48

Save percentage: .915

Point shares/82: 14.7

Bottom line: The Fin didn’t sign his first pro contract until he was 27 years old, or else he would have done more.

As it was, he did enough to rank among the top two in every major category on the franchise all-time list.

Next man up for Wild: Manny Fernandez

49. Antti Niemi — San Jose Sharks

Career: 2008-19 (11 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2008-10), Dallas Stars (2015-17), Pittsburgh Penguins (2017-18), Florida Panthers (2017-18), Montreal Canadiens (2017-19)

Seasons with Sharks: 2010-15 (5 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Sharks: 296

Record: 163-92-35

Goals-against average: 2.40

Save percentage: .917

Point shares/82: 14.8

Bottom line: The Finnish flash won 31 or more games four times in a span of five seasons.

His 2013 postseason performance (7-4/1.87/.930) ranks among the best in franchise history.

Next man up for Sharks: Martin Jones

48. Ron Hextall — Philadelphia Flyers

Career: 1986-1999 (13 seasons)

Other teams: Quebec Nordiques (1992-93). New York Islanders (1993-94)

Seasons with Flyers: 1986-92, 1994-99 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 1987

Games with Flyers: 489

Record: 240-172-58

Goals-against average: 2.91

Save percentage: .895

Point shares/82: 12.8

Bottom line: "Hexie" was the rare goalie who played his best hockey in his 30s, not 20s.

Then again, the franchise wins leader didn’t do much by the book.

He was the first NHL goalie to actually shoot the puck into the opposite net for a goal.

Next man up for Flyers: Steve Mason

47. Olaf Kolzig — Washington Capitals

Career: 1989-2009 (17 seasons)

Other teams: Tampa Bay Lightning (2008-09)

Years with Panthers: 1989-2008 (16 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 2000

Games with Capitals: 711

Record: 301-293-86

Goals-against average: 2.70

Save percentage: .906

Point shares/82: 14.0

Bottom line: "Olie The Goalie" was even better in the playoffs, where he produced a 2.14 save percentage, .917 save percentage and memorable 1998 performance.

Next man up for Capitals: Don Beaupre

46. Devan Dubnyk — Minnesota Wild

Career: 2009-present (11 seasons)

Other teams: Edmonton Oilers (2009-14), Nashville Predators (2013-14), Arizona Coyotes (2014-15)

Years with Wild: 2014-present (6 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Wild: 322

Record: 174-110-28

Goals-against average: 2.39

Save percentage: .918

Point shares/82: 14.9

Bottom line: Eighteen goalies have made appearances in the short and inglorious history of the franchise — where have you gone, Dieter Kochan? — so there’s not a lot to choose from here.

At his current rate, Dubie will overtake Niklas Backstrom as the all-time franchise leader in virtually every major category in the 2020-21 season.

45. Ben Bishop — Tampa Bay Lightning

Career: 2008-present (11 seasons)

Other teams: St. Louis Blues (2008-11), Ottawa Senators (2011-13), Los Angeles Kings (2016-17), Dallas Stars (2017-present)

Seasons with Lightning: 2012-17 (5 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Lightning: 227

Record: 131-64-20

Goals-against average: 2.28

Save percentage: .921

Point shares/82: 15.2

Bottom line: "Big Ben" owns the best stats of any Bolts goaler, and to think that he did it without a Cup. Ouch, babe.

Next man up for Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy

44. Bill Ranford — Edmonton Oilers

Career: 1985-2000 (15 seasons)

Other teams: Boston Bruins (1985-87, 1995-97), Washington Capitals (1996-98), Tampa Bay Lightning (1998-99), Detroit Red Wings (1998-99)

Years with Oilers: 1987-96 (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1990

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Oilers: 449

Record: 167-193-54

Goals-against average: 3.51

Save percentage: .887

Point shares/82: 12.2

Bottom line: Two years after Wayne Gretzky headed to Los Angeles, this guy went on to become one of the most unlikely Conn Smythe Trophy winners ever.

No goalie logged more games with the Oilers, and only Grant Fuhr won more of them in an Edmonton sweater.

Next man up for Oilers: Tommy Salo

43. Connor Hellebuyck — Winnipeg Jets

Career: 2015-present (5 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Jets: 244

Record: 235-134-75

Goals-against average: 2.64

Save percentage: .916

Point shares/82 games: 15.3

Bottom line: OK, so the one-time Atlanta Thrashers haven’t had a bunch of Dominik Haseks and Patrick Roys in their rather brief history. So we didn't put this guy here just for the Hellebuyck.

In four-plus seasons, he’s already the franchise leader in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts.

42. John Vanbiesbrouck — Florida Panthers

Career: 1981-2002 (20 seasons)

Other teams: New York Rangers (1981-93), Philadelphia Flyers (1998-2000), New York Islanders (2000-01), New Jersey Devils (2000-02)

Years with Panthers: 1993-98 (five seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: none

Games with Panthers: 268

Record: 106-108-43

Goals-against average: 2.58

Save percentage: .912

Point shares/82: 15.3

Bottom line: As the guy who gave this expansion franchise what it needed most — a veteran who could stand on his head in the 4-by-6 — "Beezer" was one of the most significant contributors in Panthers history.

His 55.6 goals saved above average in its debut season (1993-94) are the seventh most ever.

Next man up for Panthers: Tomas Vokoun

41. Marc-Andre Fleury — Vegas Golden Knights

Career: 2003-present (16 seasons)

Other teams: Pittsburgh Penguins (2003-17)

Years with Golden Knights: 2017-present (3 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Golden Knights: 135

Record: 280-42-12

Goals-against average: 2.46

Save percentage: .918

Point shares/82 games: 15.4

Bottom line: Only could a Vegas team be so lucky to have a future Hall of Fame goalie fall into its lap in the draft.

Hey, it didn’t pay a $550 million expansion fee for nothing, you know.

40. Tomas Vokoun — Nashville Predators

Career: 1996-2013 (15 seasons)

Other teams: Montreal Canadiens (1996-97), Florida Panthers (2007-11), Washington Capitals (2011-12), Pittsburgh Penguins (2012-13)

Years with Predators: 1999-2007 (8 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Predators: 383

Record: 161-159-46

Goals-against average: 2.55

Save percentage: .913

Point shares/82: 15.4

Bottom line: Yeah, his record isn’t much. Until you realize that the underrated Czech played with sub-.500 teams in his first five seasons with the team.

Really, he deserved to be one of the three stars just to show up at the arena.

Next man up for Predators: Mike Dunham

39. Semyon Varlamov — Colorado Avalanche

Career: 2008-present (12 seasons)

Other teams: Washington Capitals (2008-11), New York Islanders (2019-present)

Years with Avalanche: 2011-19 (eight seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: none

Games with Avalanche: 389

Record: 183-156-38

Goals-against average: 2.72

Save percentage: .915

Point shares/82: 15.5

Bottom line: Personally, I wouldn’t have traded the 11th pick in the draft for him — sniper Filip Forsberg in this case — but the trade could have turned out worse.

While inconsistent, "Varley" had fits of brilliance such as his 41-14-6/2.41/.927 slash line in the 2013-14 campaign.

Next man up for Avalanche: Peter Budaj

38. Craig Anderson — Ottawa Senators

Career: 2002-present (17 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2002-06), Florida Panthers (2006-09), Colorado Avalanche (2009-11)

Seasons with Senators: 2010-present (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Senators: 423

Record: 197-163-45

Goals-against average: 2.83

Save percentage: .914

Point shares/82: 15.5

Bottom line: Andy ranks No. 1 in games, victories and save percentage in club history.

He has put up a solid slashline (21-18/2.30/.928) in the postseason as well.

Next man up for Senators: Ray Emery

37. Mike Smith — Phoenix-Arizona Coyotes

Career: 2006-present (14 seasons)

Other teams: Dallas Stars (2006-08), Tampa Bay Lightning (2007-11), Calgary Flames (2017-19), Edmonton Oilers (2019-present)

Years with Coyotes: 2011-17 (six seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: none

Games with Coyotes: 312

Record: 128-132-41

Goals-against average: 2.69

Save percentage: .916

Point shares/82: 15.7

Bottom line: We agonized over Lindsay Middlebrook and Pokey Reddick for hours here. Just kiddin’, kids.

This two-time All-Star earned the runner-up spot for Coyotes on the strength of an impressive save percentage and lights-out 2011-12 season, when he put up a 38-18-10/2.21/.930 slashline.

Next man up for Coyotes: Nikolai Khabibulin

36. John Gibson — Anaheim Ducks

Jae C. Hong — Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.

Career: 2013-present (seven seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Ducks: 272

Record: 133-96-31

Goals-against average: 2.50

Save percentage: .919

Point shares/82: 15.9

Bottom line: Numbers-wise, Johnny Hockey belongs on the short list of the best in the game even if he does fly under the radar.

Will he ever have enough support to hoist the biggest prize of all?

Stay tuned.

Next man up for Ducks: Jonas Hiller

35. Rogie Vachon — Los Angeles Kings

Career: 1966-82 (16 seasons)

Other teams: Montreal Canadiens (1966-1972), Detroit Red Wings (1978-80), Boston Bruins (1980-82)

Years with Kings: 1971-78 (seven seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: none

Games: 389

Record: 171-148-66

Goals-against average: 2.86

Save percentage: .901

Point shares/82: 15.9

Bottom line: Rogie Vochon gave the Kings franchise something it had never had and desperately needed in its early years — a proven winner between the pipes.

He won more games than he lost in each of his six full seasons in Southern California, even though the team failed to break .500 in half of them.

Next man up for Kings: Kelly Hrudey

34. Miikka Kiprusoff — Calgary Flames

Career: 2000-12 (12 seasons)

Other teams: San Jose Sharks (2000-03)

Years with Flames: 2003-13 (nine seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: none

Vezina Trophies: 2006

Games: 576

Record: 305-192-68

Goals-against average: 2.46

Save percentage: .913

Point shares/82: 14.9

Bottom line: The lack of a Stanley Cup is only void on Miikka Kiprusoff's resume.

That he gave up $5.8 million to retire rather than steal money for one season deserves a stick tap at least.

Next man up for Flames: Dan Bouchard

33. Pekka Rinne — Nashville Predators

Career: 2005-present (15 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 1 (2018)

Games with Predators: 646

Record: 354-194-73

Goals-against average: 2.40

Save percentage: .918

Point shares/82: 15.0

Bottom line: This Finn has been Georges Vezina in the regular season, "Pekka Trouble" in the playoffs.

He’s also the franchise statistical leader across the board, Stanley Cup or no stinkin' Stanley Cup.

32. Roberto Luongo — Vancouver Canucks

Career: 1999-2019 (19 seasons)

Other teams: New York Islanders (1999-2000), Florida Panthers (2000-06, 2013-19)

Years with Canucks: 2006-14 (8 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Canucks: 448

Record: 252-137-50

Goals-against average: 2.36

Save percentage: .919

Point shares/82: 16.3

Bottom line: The all-time franchise leader in nearly every category is the rare first-rounder (fourth overall) to live up to the hype between the pipes.

Bobby Lu fun fact: He and Marc-Andre Fleury are the only goalies to be No. 1 in wins with two teams.

31. Cam Ward — Carolina Hurricanes

Career: 2005-19 (14 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (2018-19)

Years with Hurricanes: 2005-18 (13 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2006)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Hurricanes: 668

Record: 318-244-84

Goals-against average: 2.70

Save percentage: .909

Point shares/82: 13.4

Bottom line: We would love to give some love to the "Little Latvian," Arturs Irbe, here, but no way can we snub the 2006 Smythe Trophy winner, who hoisted the first (and most recent) Stanley Cup in Hurricanes team history.

True, Cam Ward didn’t meet through-the-roof expectations after his sensational rookie season, but he did well enough to be the franchise leader in games, career wins, save percentage and shutouts.

30. Mike Richter — New York Rangers

Career: 1989-2003 (14 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1994)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Rangers: 666

Record: 301-258-73

Goals-against average: 2.89

Save percentage: .904

Point shares/82: 14.4

Bottom line: Henrik Lundqvist has the regular-season numbers to be here. It’s just that, um, you know, we’d like him to win something other than a best hair competition. His postseason record: 61-65.

We can’t bury the first Blueshirt goalie to raise the Stanley Cup in 54 years under Penn Station. Do you realize that, if not for Mike Richter, we still might hear those "Nine-teen For-ty!" chants every five minutes?

29. Ilya Bryzgalov — Arizona Coyotes

Career: 2001-15 (14 seasons)

Other teams: Anaheim Ducks (2001-08, 2014-15), Philadelphia Flyers (2011-13), Edmonton Oilers (2013-14), Minnesota Wild (2013-14)

Years with Coyotes: 2007-11 (4 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Coyotes: 257

Record: 130-93-27

Goals-against average: 2.54

Save percentage: .917

Point shares/82: 16.7

Bottom line: At the time, Bryzzy was the best goalie waiver pickup since the Chicago Blackhawks stole Tony Esposito from the Montreal Canadiens three decades earlier.

While Ilya Bryzgalov's stay in the desert was a rather brief one, he played enough to be the franchise career leader in wins, goals-against average and save percentage.

28. Nikolai Khabibulin — Tampa Bay Lightning

Career: 1994-2014 (18 seasons)

Other teams: Winnipeg Jets (1994-96), Phoenix Coyotes (1996-99), Chicago Blackhawks (2005-09, 2013-14), Edmonton Oilers (2009-13)

Seasons with Lightning: 2000-04 (4 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2004)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Lightning: 192

Record: 83-74-28

Goals-against average: 2.39

Save percentage: .914

Point shares/82: 14.8

Bottom line: Ben Bishop has slightly better stats, but the "Bulin Wall" has the Stanley Cup hardware.

Don’t sleep on Andrei Vasilevskiy, though. If the 25-year-old reels in the big one with Tampa Bay, he’ll bump his fellow Russian off the top spot.

27. Sergei Bobrovsky — Columbus Blue Jackets

Career: 2010-present (10 seasons)

Other teams: Philadelphia Flyers (2010-12), Florida Panthers (2019-present)

Years with Blue Jackets: 2012-19 (7 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 2 (2013, 2017)

Games with Blue Jackets: 374

Record: 213-130-27

Goals-against average: 2.41

Save percentage: .921

Points shares/82: 16.5

Bottom line: Bob left Columbus as the runaway franchise leader in every category from wins to goals-against average to save percentage to . . . postseason disappointments.

26. Curtis Joseph — St. Louis Blues

Career: 1989-2009 (19 seasons)

Other teams: Edmonton Oilers (1995-98), Toronto Maple Leafs (1998-2002, 2008-09), Detroit Red Wings (2002-04), Calgary Flames (2007-08),

Seasons with Blues: 1989-95 (6 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Blues: 280

Record: 137-96-34

Goals-against average: 3.04

Save percentage: .907

Point shares/82: 17.5

Bottom line: Stanley Cup champion Jordan Binnington and finalist Glenn Hall didn’t have the longevity to be considered here. That left Curtis Joseph, Jake Allen, Grant Fuhr and Mike Liut as the eligible candidates.

We gave "Cujo" the edge because of his overall numbers, three brilliant seasons (1991-94), local popularity and a very cool protective mask.

He’ll keep the seat warm for now.

25. Ryan Miller — Buffalo Sabres

Career: 2002-present (17 seasons)

Other teams: St. Louis Blues (2013-14), Vancouver Canucks (2014-17), Anaheim Ducks (2017-present)

Years with Sabres: 2002-14 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 2010

Games with Sabres: 540

Record: 284-186-57

Goals-against average: 2.58

Save percentage: .916

Point shares/82: 16.5

Bottom line: Miller Time, wrong place. As consistent as he was over an extended stretch, his teams never advanced beyond Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Next man up for Sabres: Don Edwards

24. Roberto Luongo — Florida Panthers

Career: 1999-2019 (19 seasons)

Other teams: New York Islanders (1999-2000), Vancouver Canucks (2006-14)

Years with Panthers: 2000-06, 2013-19

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Panthers: 572

Record: 230-241-73

Goals-against average: 2.61

Save percentage: .919

Point shares/82: 17.8

Bottom line: John Vanbiesbrouck carried the team to its lone Stanley Cup Final appearance in only its third season of existence.

Tomas Vokoun is the franchise leader in career goals-against average (2.57) and save percentage (.923). We selected the guy who played and won more games than both of them combined.

That would be you, Bobby Lu.

23. Henrik Lundqvist — New York Rangers

Career: 2005-present (15 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 2012

Games with Rangers: 882

Record: 458-308-96

Goals-against average: 2.43

Save percentage: .918

Point shares/82: 16.1

Bottom line: If "The King" had spent his entire career in, say, Arizona, would he still be a sure-fire Hall of Fame candidate? I say no.

But I watched "The Three Amigos" six times, so what the heck do I know?

Next man up for Rangers: Ed Giacomin

22. Tom Barrasso — Pittsburgh Penguins

Career: 1983-2003 (19 seasons)

Other teams: Buffalo Sabres (1983-89), Ottawa Senators (1999-2000), Carolina Panthers (2001-02), Toronto Maple Leafs (2001-02), St. Louis Blues (2002-03)

Seasons with Penguins: 1988-2000 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1992-93

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Penguins: 460

Record: 226-153-53

Goals-against average: 3.27

Save percentage: .895

Point shares/82: 13.9

Bottom line: Grant Fuhr Lite, I call him. Score five, he allowed four. Score two, he gave up one.

But you can’t spell Barrasso without the a-s-s, which costs him points on the ice of public opinion.

Not that he gives a flying puck or anything.

Next man up for Penguins: Matt Murray

21. Chris Osgood — Detroit Red Wings

Career: 1993-2011 (17 seasons)

Other teams: New York Islanders (2001-02), St. Louis Blues (2002-04)

Years with Red Wings: 1993-2001, 2007-09

Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1987, 1998, 2008)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Red Wings: 565

Record: 317-149-75

Goals-against average: 2.49

Save percentage: .905

Point shares/82: 12.0

Bottom line: You call him "Ozzie," I call him "Izzie." As in, is he Hall of Fame worthy?

Chris Osgood put up good numbers with several great teams in the regular season. But as much as some locals whined about him, he started with three Stanley Cup champions. That’s as many as Terry Sawchuk, who’s in the Hall of Fame, of course.

I say a 67-37/2.02/.918 postseason slashline gets Izzie in Toronto.

Next man up for Red Wings: Roger Crozier

20. Braden Holtby — Washington Capitals

Career: 2010-present (10 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2018)

Vezina Trophies: 1 (2016)

Games with Capitals: 448

Record: 274-114-44

Goals-against average: 2.50

Save percentage: .917

Point shares/82: 15.1

Bottom line: Normally, the guy who succeeds someone as popular and successful as Olaf Kolzig is destined to fail. This one-time Vezina Trophy-winner is the clear exception.

Braden Holtby's 2.09 goals-against average in the postseason ranks sixth in the expansion era and 16th overall.

19. Glenn Resch — New York Islanders

Career: 1973-87 (13 seasons)

Other teams: Colorado Rockies (1980-82), New Jersey Devils (1982-86), Philadelphia Flyers (1985-87)

Years with Islanders: 1973-81 (8 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1980)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Islanders: 282

Record: 157-69-47

Goals-against average: 2.56

Save percentage: .911

Point shares/82: 18.7

Bottom line: As many Isles diehards would agree, "Chico" is right where they want him, That is, as the backup to Billy Smith between the pipes.

If only coach Al Arbour had this kind of foresight in the 1978 and 1979 playoffs.

Next man up for Islanders: Rick DiPietro

18. Jean-Sebastien Giguere — Anaheim Ducks

Career: 1996-2014 (17 seasons)

Other teams: Hartford Whalers (1996-97), Calgary Flames (1998-2000) Toronto Maple Leafs (2009-11), Colorado Avalanche (2011-14)

Years with Ducks: 2000-10 (9 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (2007)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Ducks: 447

Record: 206-163-59

Goals-against average: 2.47

Save percentage: .914

Point shares/82: 15.6

Bottom line: Can there be any other than the franchise leader in wins and goals-against average?

"Jiggy" played out of his mind in the 2003 postseason, when the Smythe Trophy winner became the fourth goalie to receive the award with the team that lost the final round.

Four years later, he was nearly as good with the first and most recent Stanley Cup winner in franchise history.

17. Marc-Andre Fleury — Pittsburgh Penguins

Career: 2006-present (14 seasons)

Other teams: Vegas Golden Knights (2017-present)

Seasons with Penguins: 2006-17 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 3 (2009, 2016, 2017)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Penguins: 691

Record: 375-216-68

Goals-against average: 2.58

Save percentage: .912

Point shares/82: 14.3

Bottom line: His best ability was remarkable durability, which allowed the future Hall of Famer to become the franchise leader in nearly every major category by a considerable margin.

While "The Flower" was known to wilt come playoff time, he did author the two most significant Game 7 victories in club history — the 2009 Stanley Cup Final and 2017 Eastern Conference semis.

16. Jonathan Quick — Los Angeles Kings

Career: 2007-present (13 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2012, 2014)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Kings: 629

Record: 319-233-65

Goals-against average: 2.39

Save percentage: .913

Point shares/82: 13.2

Bottom line: Johnny B. Quick dominates the team record book much like he did the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

He ranked 19th in goals-against average and 29th in victories in league history at the start of the decade.

He can begin to write his Hall of Fame induction speech right now.

15. Gerry Cheevers — Boston Bruins

Career: 1961-62, 1965-72, 1975-1980 (13 seasons)

Other teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1961-62)

Years with Bruins: 1965-72, 1975-1980 (12 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1970, 1972)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Bruins: 416

Record: 226-103-76

Goals-against average: 2.89

Save percentage: .901

Point shares/82: 14.6

Bottom line: I chose "Cheesie" over Hall of Famers Frankie Brimsek for three reasons: his well-earned reputation as a money goaltender, record 32-game unbeaten streak and iconic protective mask.

If the tightwads upstairs hadn’t allowed him to bolt to the rival WHA after the 1971-72 season, there might be a couple or three more Stanley Cup banners in the TD Garden rafters today.

(Full disclosure: I was a Big, Bad Bruins addict in college.)

Next man up for Bruins: Frankie Brimsek

14. Tony Esposito — Chicago Blackhawks

Career: 1968-84 (16 seasons)

Other teams: Montreal Canadiens (1968-69)

Years with Blackhawks: 1969-84 (15 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: None

Vezina Trophies: 3 (1970, 1972, 1974)

Games with Blackhawks: 873

Record: 418-302-148

Goals-against average: 2.93

Save percentage: .906

Point shares/82: 16.6

Bottom line: Don’t get me wrong here — Tony O is a worthy Hall of Famer. It’s just that he was Martin Brodeur before Martin Brodeur, a goalie who benefited greatly from a defense-first system and ample support in front of him.

His postseason slashline (45-53/3.09/.903) was rather modest but not entirely his fault.

He played 63-plus games in eight consecutive regular seasons.

Next man up for Blackhawks: Corey Crawford

13. Patrick Roy — Colorado Avalanche

Career: 1985-2003 (17 seasons)

Other teams: Montreal Canadiens 1985-94 (9 seasons)

Years with Avalanche: 1995-2003 (8 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1996, 2001)

Vezina Trophies: None

Games with Avalanche: 478

Record: 262-140-65

Goals-against average: 2.27

Save percentage: .918

Point shares/82: 16.0

Bottom line: What happens when a pain-in-le-duc goalie and an inexperienced head coach who already had a bad history as teammates hook up again? One of the worst trades in puck history happens.

"Patty Wah" went on to complete his legacy as one of the all-time postseason greats — and the Canadiens haven’t been the same since.

12. Grant Fuhr — Edmonton Oilers

Career: 1981-2000 (19 seasons)

Other teams: Toronto Maple Leafs (1991-93), Buffalo Sabres (1992-95), Los Angeles Kings (1994-95), St. Louis Blues (1995-99), Calgary Flames (1999-2000)

Years with Oilers: 1981-91 (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)

Vezina Trophies: 1 (1988)

Games with Oilers: 423

Record: 226-117-54

Goals-against average: 3.69

Save percentage: .883

Point shares/82: 13.7

Bottom line: Some believe this Hall of Famer is overrated because his stats are only somewhat impressive. Others say he’s underrated because he thrived in the live puck era.

But nobody can deny Grant Fuhr's five Stanley Cup titles, more than everyone except Ken Dryden and Jacques Plante at the position.

11. Billy Smith — New York Islanders

Career: 1971-89 (18 seasons)

Other teams: Los Angeles Kings (1971-72)

Years with Islanders: 1972-89 (17 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1980 1981, 1982, 1983)

Vezina Trophies: 1 (1982)

Games with Islanders: 674

Record: 304-230-104

Goals-against average: 3.16

Save percentage: .895

Point shares/82: 15.1

Bottom line: Uh, can we split this into two — the regular season and real season? OK, then give us the only goalie to start with four consecutive Stanley Cup champions in the expansion era.

That would be "The Axe," whose 57-13 record in the 1980-83 playoffs went beyond clutch.

10. Johnny Bower — Toronto Maple Leafs

Career: 1953-70 (15 seasons)

Other teams: New York Rangers (1953-57)

Years with Maple Leafs: (12 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1962-64, 1967

Vezina Trophies: 1961, 1965

Games with Maple Leafs: 475

Record: 219-157-79

Goals-against average: 2.50

Save percentage: .922

Point shares/82: 16.1

Bottom line: If the main objective is to stop da puck, then "The China Wall" may be the best of the pre-expansion era.

Johnny Bower's career .9219 save percentage ranks behind only Dominik Hasek (.9223) since the mid-1950s, when it became an official statistic.

Bower also was in the 4-by-6 when the Maple Leafs won their last Stanley Cup. Wait — you mean the Maple Leafs won a Stanley Cup?!

Next man up for Maple Leafs: Curtis Joseph

9. Turk Broda — Toronto Maple Leafs

Career: 1936-52 (14 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: 5 (1942, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951)

Vezina Trophies: 2 (1941, 1948)

Games with Maple Leafs: 629

Record: 304-222-102

Goals-against average: 2.53

Save percentage: Not available

Point shares/82: 15.7

Bottom line: The Maple Leafs lifer was known to take games off against lesser competition, but once the playoffs began, he was money.

Walter "Turk" Broda carried his team to within a 1-0 overtime loss in Game 7 of five consecutive Stanley Cup titles. By our count, he would have at least two Conn Smythe Trophies if there had been such things.

The two-time Vezina Trophy-winner ranks among the postseason leaders in goals-against average (1.98, ninth) and victories (60, 16th) in league history.

8. Tiny Thompson — Boston Bruins

Career: 1928-40 (12 seasons)

Other teams: Detroit Red Wings (1938-40)

Years with Bruins: 1928-38 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1929

Vezina Trophies: 4 (1930, 1933, 1936, 1938)

Games with Bruins: 468

Record: 252-153-63

Goals-against average: 1.99

Save percentage: Not available

Point shares/82: 16.5

Bottom line: First, let’s destroy a myth — Tiny was not tiny.

At 5-foot-10, he actually was one of the taller netminders of his time. And the best of the 1930s decade, too.

Only four goalies have more Vezina Trophies on their resume.

7. Martin Brodeur — New Jersey Devils

Career: 1991-2015 (22 seasons)

Other teams: St. Louis Blues (2014-15)

Years with Devils: 1991-2014 (21 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 3 (1995, 2000, 2003)

Vezina Trophies: 4 (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008)

Games with Devils: 1,259

Record: 668-394-154

Goals-against average: 2.24

Save percentage: .912

Point shares/82: 13.4

Bottom line: To give you an idea of how long and well Martin Brodeur played in his career, he would rank 186th in career victories on his 100 shutouts alone.

He’s also the all-time league leader in minutes played, wins, shots against, saves, goals allowed and length of career (forever).

6. Glenn Hall — Chicago Blackhawks

Career: 1952-71 (18 seasons)

Other teams: Detroit Red Wings (1952-57), St. Louis Blues (1967-71)

Years with Black Hawks: 1957-67 (10 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1961)

Vezina Trophies: 2 (1963, 1967)

Games with Blackhawks: 618

Record: 276-229-107

Goals-against average: 2.60

Save percentage: .916

Point shares/82: 15.7Chicago Blackhawks

Bottom line: Tony Esposito and Corey Crawford also are in the conversation, but for now, we’ll take "Mr. Goalie," the rock of the team that ended a 23-year Stanley Cup drought.

Glenn Hall also is the owner of the iron-man streak at the position (502 consecutive starts), which likely will stand for, oh, at least another 502 years.

5. Bernie Parent — Philadelphia Flyers

Career: 1965-79 (13 seasons)

Other teams: Boston Bruins (1965-67), Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-72)

Seasons with Flyers: 1967-70, 1973-79 (9 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (1974, 1975)

Vezina Trophies: 2 (1974, 1975)

Games with Flyers: 486

Record: 231-141-102

Goals-against average: 2.43

Save percentage: .917

Point shares/82: 18.0

Bottom line: Here’s the only goalie to achieve the ultimate triple-double — Vezina, Smythe and Stanley Cup Trophies in consecutive seasons.

Bernie Parent also ranks No. 1 in goals-against average in franchise history.

Yet his greatest achievement may be this: He was one of the few (only?) Broad Street Bullies who had your respect.

4. Terry Sawchuk — Detroit Red Wings

Career: 1949-70 (21 seasons)

Other teams: Boston Bruins (1955-57), Toronto Maple Leafs (1964-67), Los Angeles Kings (1967-68), New York Rangers (1969-70)

Years with Red Wings: 1949-55, 1957-1964, 1968-69 (14 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 4 (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967)

Vezina Trophies: 4 (1952, 1953, 1955, 1965)

Games with Red Wings: 734

Record: 350-245-132

Goals-against average: 2.44

Save percentage: .904*

Point shares/82: 15.8

Bottom line: Chris Osgood would be No. 1 on many teams. Just not one that had this all-timer on it.

"Ukey" is on the short list of all-time NHL leaders in shutouts (81, second), wins (445, eighth) and trophies (one Calder, four Vezinas, four Stanley Cups) in league history.

3. Ken Dryden — Montreal Canadiens

Career: 1970-79 (8 seasons)

Other teams: None

Stanley Cup championships: 1 (1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)

Vezina Trophies: 4 (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979)

Games with Canadiens: 397

Record: 258-57-74

Goals-against average: 2.24

Save percentage: .922

Point shares/82: 20.4

Bottom line: Here’s the greatest winner at any position in puck history.

The Habs boasted a crazy .665 win percentage and hoisted six Stanley Cups in Ken Dryden's eight seasons.

But if you think he’s a pretty good back-up, check out who's next.

Next man up for Canadiens: Patrick Roy

2. Dominik Hasek — Buffalo Sabres

Career: 1990-2008 (16 seasons)

Other teams: Chicago Blackhawks (1990-92), Detroit Red Wings (2001-04, 2006-08), Ottawa Senators (2005-06)

Years with Sabres: 1992-2001 (9 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 2 (2002, 2008)

Vezina Trophies: 6 (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)

Games with Sabres: 491

Record: 234-170-70

Goals-against average: 2.22

Save percentage: .926

Point shares/82: 19.4

Bottom line: If you insisted that "The Dominator" was the greatest netminder ever, the only argument would be his comparative lack of Stanley Cup titles (two late in his career) and unorthodox style that couldn’t be duplicated and therefore had little impact on the way the position was played.

If you wanted to make this about numbers, though, I would turtle immediately. Because no goalie has a resume quite like his — first in save percentage (.922), second in Vezina Trophies (six), sixth in shutouts (81) and seventh in goals-against average (2.20).

1. Jacques Plante — Montreal Canadiens

Career: 1952-65, 1968-73 (18 seasons)

Other teams: New York Rangers (1963-65), St. Louis Blues (1969-71), Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-73), Boston Bruins (1972-73)

Years with Canadiens: 1952-63 (11 seasons)

Stanley Cup championships: 6 (1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)

Vezina Trophies: 7 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1969)

Games with Canadiens: 556

Record: 314-133-107

Goals-against average: 2.22

Save percentage: .920*

Point shares/82: 18.1

Bottom line: Of the 39 goalies in the Hall of Fame today, nine played with the Habs at one time or another. That’s almost one in four, people.

"Jake the Snake" gets the call as the best in franchise history based on statistical achievement (second in wins, goals-against average and shutouts in club history), Vezina Trophies (seven overall), Stanley Cups titles (six) and innovations (the protective mask among them) that did much to shape the position.