This week, I have been looking at the Unrestricted Free Agents leading into the start of NHL Free Agency tomorrow. On Tuesday I wrote about highly sought after rookie, Justin Schultz. On Wednesday I took a look at big name RFAs who didn’t get qualifying offers, and followed that up with looks at the Top 10 Forwards, and the Top 7 Defencemen available as UFAs. Earlier I wrote about the Best Kept Secrets in NHL Free Agency. Today I am going to finish with a look at the Goalies. The goalies are really the best example of the weakness of this year’s free agent crop as there is only one legitimate starter available and that is 40 year old Martin Brodeur.
1) Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
2011-12 Salary: $5,200,000
2011-12 Stats: 59 GP, 31-21-4, 3 SO, 2.41 GAA, 0.908 Sv%
The main, the myth, the legend Brodeur has done it all in the NHL. The surefire hall of famer is the NHL’s alltime leader in games played, wins, and shutouts. This spring, Brodeur proved he still has it, taking his New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Final. It is a surprise Brodeur is even on this list as most assumed he would re-sign with the New Jersey Devils. However, negotiations with the Devils are apparently going poorly as for the first time in his career, Martin Brodeur has hired an agent. Pat Brisson has indicated that his new client will test the market if a deal with the Devils is not reached by July 1st. Now 40 years old, Brodeur no longer has the endurance to play 70-75 games per season like he did in his prime, however this sure fire hall of fame is still an excellent starting goalie.
2) Scott Clemmensen, Florida Panthers
2011-12 Salary: $1,500,000
2011-12 Stats, 25 GS, 14-6-6, 2.57, 0.913 Sv%
Clemmensen was Brodeur’s backup in 2008-09 when he had his best season in the NHL. Brodeur suffered an elbow injury that year leading to Clemmensen getting an opportunity to play 40 games, and putting up 25 wins. Clemmensen continues to be a dependable NHL backup, starting 25 games and putting up 14 wins in Florida. While it is doubtful he will ever be an NHL starter, Clemmensen is the best backup on the market this year. Clemmensen is a big goalie who is effective at using his size to cut down angles. He takes up a lot of net and is good at setting himself up and getting square to the shooter. He has decent, but not great rebound control. The main issue that keeps Clemmensen from being an NHL starter is that he is below average in his puck tracking and lateral movement and can be beaten on cross ice plays.
3) Jonas Gustavsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
2011-12 Salary: $1,400,000
2011-12 Stats: 36 GS, 17-17-4, 4 SO, 2.92 GAA, 0.902 Sv%
The “Monster” saw his free agent negotiating rights traded from the Leafs to the Winnipeg Jets at last weekend’s NHL draft. He spent the season platooning with James Reimer in the Maple Leafs net. Gustavsson came to the NHL in 2009 highly hyped as the best goalie not in North America. He has failed to deliver on his promise, and has not proven to be capable of being an NHL starter. Gustavsson has not shown consistency in the NHL as he can follow up a run of great games with a run of poor games. Gustavsson’s biggest issues continue to be his poor rebound control, and poor puck handling. He also seems to have trouble letting go of bad goals, as one goal against can sometimes quickly turn into two or three. He is however a decent backup, and has ideal size for an NHL goalie, and good lateral movement.
4) Chris Mason, Winnipeg Jets
2011-12 Salary: $2,100,000
2011-12 Stats: 16 GS, 8-7-1, 2 SOs, 2.59 GAA, 0.898 SV%
Mason is an experienced backup and former starter. He struggled last season in Winnipeg as seen by his well below average save percentage. Mason quite simply lacks the consistency needed to be an NHL starter, however he can be an effective backup. He has good butterfly technique and takes away the bottom of the net well. He can however be beaten up high. Mason also lacks quick lateral movement in the crease. He will probably be looking at a backup job offers on July 1st.
5) Curtis Sanford, Columbus Blue Jackets
2011-12 Salary:$600,000
2011-12 Stats: 32 GS, 10-18-4, 1 SO, 2.60 GAA, 0.911 SV%
Prior to this past season Sanford had been toiling as an AHL journeyman for the prior two seasons after leaving the Vancouver Canucks in 2009. Sanford showed that he can be an adequate backup and even outperformed Columbus starter Steve Mason. Sanford performed admirably on a weak Columbus club, and will be looking for another team to take him on as a backup for next season. Sanford seems like the perfect tweener goalie, he dominates the AHL, but he’s a little too inconsistent when given the opportunity in the NHL. He has decent rebound control and a good glove but sometimes struggles with his lateral movement in the crease.
It really is a thin group of goalies available this year. However it could get a little deeper depending on the decision of two veterans in the 41 year old Dwayne Roloson, and the 39 year old Johan Hedberg. It is unclear how much these guys have left in the tank at this point, however they might make decent backups if they decide to return to the NHL for another year.
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