With free agency looming, teams are eager to pounce on potent UFA talent. Goaltenders are not excluded from that equation and there’s five that sit atop the market come July 1.
Top 5 NHL UFA Goaltenders
#5 – Ryan Miller
Age: 36
Previous Cap Hit: $6 million with the Vancouver Canucks
Originally drafted in 1999 by the Buffalo Sabres, 138th overall and remained with the Sabres for the majority of his NHL career until 2013. Miller earned a silver medal with Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics and earned MVP accolades as well. 2010 also brought Miller a Vezina Trophy.
Despite his past praises, Ryan Miller is going to be a tough sell this off-season thanks to his age and his price tag. Drafted in 1999 and with 15 NHL seasons under his belt, Miller is an old dog in a league that’s growing more and more youthful by the minute. Miller, who will turn 37 next month, holds his value in his short-term contract opportunity, that is if he lowers his cap hit significantly.
Miller’s numbers weren’t spectacular last season with a 18-29-6 record and a .914 save percentage and 2.80 goals against average; but his experience, will-to-win and work ethic could make him a good choice for Anaheim who is lacking a goaltender with playoff experience, something Miller has much of. Miller is a veteran who would serve as a good mentor for any young gun in front of him, much like he has been for Jacob Markstrom with the Canucks.
The Canucks reportedly have an offer on the table for Miller. No specific details have been released concerning that potential deal. In the meantime, Miller’s future remains uncertain as he carries over a decade of NHL experience in his back pocket.
#4 – Anders Nilsson
Age: 27
Previous Cap Hit: $1 million with the Buffalo Sabres
Anders Nilsson’s value as free agency hits will definitely be his cap. For many teams strapped for cap space, the 27 year-old Swede is a nice solution. Nilsson posted a so-so season with the Buffalo Sabres, splitting his 24 games 10-10-4. However, he posted a more-than-decent .923 save percentage which is something many high profile teams are taking a hard look at.
Big names that have chatted about Nilsson as a possibility are the Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers. Both teams had solid years and the Rangers just lost their back-up, Antti Raanta to the Arizona Coyotes. The Rangers have a solid two years left in Henrik Lundqvist. With expert training from goalie coach, Benoit Allaire, Nilsson could become something special for the Rangers. The Wild would consider Nilsson as a cheap piece to replace their less than thrilling back-up, Darcy Kuemper.
Nilsson was signed to a three-year entry contract with the New York Islanders in 2011 and had stints with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues and his current team, Buffalo.
#3 – Jonathan Bernier
Age: 28
Previous Cap Hit: $4.15 million with the Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks had a great playoff run this year, despite a disappointing game six against the Nashville Predators. Unfortunately, Jonathan Bernier was vastly criticized for his performance in their final game, letting in four goals on a mere 16 shots to provide Nashville with all the offense they needed to leave the Ducks in the dust.
Bernier came to the Ducks from Toronto Maple Leafs but it was with the Los Angeles Kings where Bernier initially caught the league’s attention. His numbers were promising in his early days, going 3-0 in 2009-10 with a .957 save percentage and a 1.30 GAA. With Jonathan Quick establishing himself in LA, Bernier played a solid second fiddle but moving to Toronto in 2013-14 provided him with a platform to play more games and develop his own singular reputation.
This past season, Bernier performed well behind starter Jon Gibson but his inability to step it up when it really counts, and then letting that snowball on him, is a huge concern for a goaltender of his caliber. Especially with Gibson’s history of groin injuries.
Bernier’s regular season numbers with the Ducks were admirable for a backup, going 21-7-4 with a .915 save percentage and 2.50 GAA. However, it’s his hefty cap hit and his recent playoff performance that will decide his fate in Southern California. Anaheim may look for a lower hit netminder with a comparable performance to boost the other areas of their game, if they’re not too concerned about Gibson’s health status.
#2 – Brian Elliott
Age: 32
Previous Cap Hit: $2.5 million with the Calgary Flames
Brian Elliott, originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 2003 NHL Draft has spent his NHL career with the Senators, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues and, most recently, the Calgary Flames. Most well-known for his performance with the St. Louis Blues in the 2015-16 post-season, propelled the Blues to the team’s first Western Conference final since 2001.
Despite putting up his best save percentage of any playoff season with a .921, Elliott was traded in the 2016 off-season to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a 2016 second-round pick and conditional 3rd round pick in the 2018 draft.
With Calgary, Elliott lent a hand in the Flames playoff run, though it was cut short against the Anaheim Ducks in round one. Elliot finished the post-season with a .880 save percentage and 3.89 GAA. He ended the regular season with a .910 save percentage and 2.55 GAA.
Elliot’s price tag is enticing for teams looking for a cheaper back-up but his performance hasn’t qualified him for a number one spot. Additionally, there are very few No. 1 vacancies to go around thanks to the excellence of so many of the league’s netminders. However, there’s been discussion that the Winnipeg Jets will seek Elliott out for their number one spot, citing Connor Hellebuyck’s inconsistencies. It will be a matter of chemistry for the Canadian-native. He’s shown the ability to perform at an elite level. Elliot needs the right environment to do so and motivate his performance.
#1 – Steve Mason
Age: 29
Previous Cap Hit: $4.1 million with the Philadelphia Flyers
Originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2006, Mason spent six years with the team from Ohio. This included a blockbuster rookie season, posting a 33-20-7 record with a 2.29 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 10 shutouts. Mason won the Calder Trophy and was a Vezina finalist that year. Unfortunately, Mason did’t continue his beginner’s luck and was traded to the Flyers at the 2012-13 deadline.
Mason finished last season with the Flyers with a 26-21-8 with a 2.66 GAA and .908 save percentage. That included a 12-6-2 record and .927 save percentage in his final 20 games. Was he fantastic? No. Mason gave the Flyers plenty of chances to win, even when he wasn’t supported by his blueliners.
However, Mason’s issue is that he’s made it clear he wants a number one spot, which are in short supply. Most teams who desperately needed a number one already took care of business. Dallas acquired Ben Bishop, Carolina acquired Scott Darling, Arizona acquired Antti Raanta and Vegas infamously got Marc-Andre Fleury. Mason is the best UFA netminder come July 1st. However, it’s unlikely his next job will come with the accolades he desires.
Main Photo:
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 21: Goalie Steve Mason #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on against the St. Louis Blues in the first period at Wells Fargo Center on December 21, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
