We have made it to the goalies, the last line of defence, and the end of our review of the best Team Canada offers at each position. Thus far we have studied defencemen, wingers, and centres, and now it is time to move to the position with the most fluctuation. Goalies are definitely the most difficult position to rank in a top-ten setting. There’s not such a clear picture of those at the top, and throughout there’s plenty of room for debate. However, through some in-depth discussions and analyzing statistics, we have come up with our best stab at the top-ten goalies for Team Canada as it sits today.
Top-Ten Team Canada Goalies
One aspect about Canadian goalies is that they may have fallen out of the league’s elite over the recent past. However, one point to consider is their pedigree. Many recent teams wouldn’t have Stanley Cup Championships if it weren’t for Canadian goalies stepping up big-time when it counts the most. The list of the notables includes Darcy Kuemper, Jordan Binnington, or the revolving door that was the 2023 Vegas Golden Knights goaltending situation.
As a note, for selecting a Team Canada, such as in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off in the spring, it isn’t as easy as selecting the top three from our list. Factors such as veteran presence or differences in playing style will matter. Also, this list, as did our others, weight past performances too, therefore, Team Canada will likely be selected from a hot hand among its three goaltenders. So, it could easily be two of the top three or four, but then one more selection from further down the list. In any sense, without further ado, we give you our selection.
Adin Hill and the Best of the Current Team Canada Players in Goal
Right from the get-go, we introduce controversy to our list. It is somewhat the lack of systematic goaltender development that results in fewer Canadian goalies being considered in the discussion of qualifying as elite. However, one thing the Vancouver Island native brings is the ultimate intangible, a Stanley Cup Championship. Moreover, his body of work at the NHL level is quite impressive, despite not always playing on very quality teams. In 136 career games, he had a 64-51-8 record with seven career shutouts. Also, he sports a 2.68 GAA and a .910 SV%. Furthermore, it really is the playoffs where he has taken it to another level. There his career record is 12-6 with a sensational .932 SV%. Hill has shown to be very consistent and a winner. He seems like a safe bet as a selection to the Team Canada roster as a result. Perhaps it is a by-product of a lack of true competition, regardless, today Adin Hill tops our list.
2. Jordan Binnington
We quickly referenced him already, and similar to number one on our list, he’s a winner. In 2019, as an NHL rookie, Jordan Binnington backstopped the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup title. Furthermore, in his rookie season, he went 24-5-1 with a 1.89 GAA and a .927 SV%, simply amazing stats. Now, at 31, he is right around that ideal age of peak goaltending performance, given the combination of experience and still being able to perform at a high level. Also, you would think he has calmed down and got his emotions in check at some level at this point of his maturation process. His career numbers are solid, in 280 games played, he has a 145-94-31 record with 15 shutouts. Also, he has a nice 2.79 GAA with a .908 SV%. In four of his NHL six seasons, he has posted a SV% of .910 or better, including 2023-24 at .913. There have been many questions throughout his career about his temperament, as well as consistency in the pipes. These are the main reasons he’s not atop our list. However, he still deserves a high standing, and few would be surprised if he makes a Team Canada in the near future. Something that stands out from Binnington’s play are his analytics. Fifth in the league with a goals saved above expected of 16.5 (ahead of Sergei Bobrovsky) will do that for you.
3. Logan Thompson
Logan Thompson is one of the best Canadian goalkeepers right now, and deserves to be at number three. He is one of the most talented goalies on this list, and he’s a winner. Injury did cost the Calgary native any game time during the 2023 cup run, but his regular season play helped establish an already deep the Vegas Golden Knights as a dominant NHL franchise that season. In total, his regular season stats are excellent from his time with Vegas. His record is 56-32-11, to go along with four shutouts. Furthermore, he has a 2.67 GAA and .912 SV%. Thompson is a terrific goaltender, and now gets to showcase his skills in D.C. Will he be able to have a strong season for the Washington Capitals? Either way, he resume for now, speaks for itself, and is very likely a candidate as a Team Canada goaltender.
4. Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner is definitely trending in the right direction. If we were to make this list last summer, he definitely would’ve been lower, if not off it altogether. However, in this year’s post-season, Skinner proved to all the naysayers as to why he’s in the discussion for Canada’s best goaltender. Similar to a former great, Grant Fuhr, it’s not necessarily about how many you save, but when you come up with those saves. Let’s also not forget that Skinner is 25 years old, which is still considered young by NHL goaltending standards. And two plus seasons of experience is decent. With that, has been the fact he has been susceptible to inconsistencies and guilty at times of letting his emotions show, which can and has brought down the Oilers team spirit at times. Conversely, all that seemed to change in the Vancouver Canuck second round series this past playoffs. After a shaky game three which he was actually pulled in, he was sat for games four and five. But once he regained the throne, he went on an impressive run, right down to game seven of the Stanley Cup Final. He put together a 9-6 record, and six of those games he had a SV% of .933 or better. Moreover, his career numbers don’t look too shabby. In 123 games, he has an excellent 72-36-10 record, with a .909 SV% and 2.69 GAA. There are a few general themes with the tenders on the list, but a couple hot months to start 2024-25, and Skinner will be on Team Canada in 2025.
5. Connor Ingram
Next up is the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan product who kind of emerged from nowhere, considering we put him at number five. One way he stacked up for goalies, is he was a member of the 2017 Team Canada World Junior squad, and did earn his stripes at the AHL level. In addition, he did gain some notoriety at the NHL level after four games played with the Nashville Predators in the 2021-22 playoffs, and sporting a commendable .913 SV%. He did only have three regular season games prior to those playoff appearances. However, last year was his breakout season. The Arizona Coyotes did have a decent start to the campaign, and it helped Ingram put up a solid season statistically. In 50 games, he went 23-21-3 with a .907 SV% and a 2.91 GAA. Also, he led the entire NHL with six shutouts. If new owner Ryan Smith, along with the relocation to Utah, and the addition of some fresh parts, Ingram may be inline for an amazing 2024-25. He’s definitely a top candidate for going with a hot hand in the Team Canada net.
6. Tristan Jarry
Tristan Jarry has had an interesting career thus far. Some may argue he should be higher, but some may also think he might be too high. You may recall, he had the misfortune of just missing out on the Pittsburgh Penguins back-to-back cups in 2016 and 2017. Jarry only appeared in one game in the 2016-17 season. In contrast, he has been apart of the Penguins, who are still in the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang era, and are consistently in the playoffs or in contention. But then we find a knock against Jarry, and that is his playoff standing. He has a 2-6 record over three different post-seasons. Now overall, his regular season numbers are respectable. He has a solid winning percentage at .604, compiling a 136-85-25 record. His 19 shutouts, 2.70 GAA, and .912 SV% puts him on par with many fellow competitors on this list. Still just 29, this upcoming 2024-25 campaign is big for him from a career standpoint. Especially, if the Penguins and he can parlay a hot start to a spot on Team Canada or even a playoff position in 2025.
7. Sam Montembeault
Montembeault is involved in the battle for Team Canada goalies. However, there might just be new group trying to re-establish the province of Quebec as an NHL goalie factory. One name on the list, occupying the next spot in fact, still would be a hold out from the golden era. Moreover, it seems the likes of Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, or Roberto Luongo are something of the past.
For Montembeault, playing on a rebuilding Montreal Canadiens organization, his time is coming. At 27 years old, his career trajectory meshes well with the rest of the Canadiens players. He does have 144 career games under his belt, and despite a shaky 49-60-21 record, he does well at keeping a poor defensive team in games with his .898 SV%. Additionally, he was actually above .500 in 2023-24, at 16-15-9. If the team in front of him plays well, his consistent play will continue, and ultimately be a strength for his team. One very influential factor Montembeault has for him, was a strong showing at the Men’s 2023 World Hockey Championships. He went 6-1 with a 1.42 GAA and .939 SV%. Numbers like that, behind a decent defensive Canadian squad, are proof that he will perform well under pressure.
8. Marc-Andre Fleury
It may sound like a broken record, but again, this ranking on the list really shows the Canadian pedigree. As a nation, the Canadians might not take home all the Vezinas, but what we can do, is win. Fleury has credit for three Stanley Cups, but wait, oh yes, also the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy. Furthermore, Fleury is among some of the all-time stats, including second in wins with 561. If it weren’t for a difficult 2023-24 for Fleury and his Minnesota Wild club, he could very well have been higher on this list. In terms of specific Team Canada selection, no one would bat an eye if he is selected, for nothing else than his veteran leadership and locker room presence.
9. Cam Talbot
We come to someone, who at 36-years-old, was indeed an All-Star in 2023-24. Cam Talbot is a very interesting member of our list. He hasn’t had a lot of great success, but has had some individually. Looking back to 2016-17, when he finished fourth in league voting for the Vezina is an example of individual success. Then, fast forward to 2021-22, he had an excellent 32-12-4 record with the Wild. This prompted a trade to boost the Ottawa Senators goaltending situation. Unfortunately, the injury bug struck, and he had a very disappointing 2022-23 season, appearing in just 36 games. Moreover, he took his talents to Los Angeles last year, and as we mentioned, was very solid. He had a 2.50 GAA and .913 SV% last year in 54 games, in what was an incredible bounce back season. However, given his age, and struggles with inconsistencies throughout his NHL career, we have him down at nine on our list.
10. Devon Levi
Finally we have arrived at the tenth spot, and someone, who at 22, the sky is the limit. Levi has had lofty expectations thrust on him, and still has lots of time to see them come to fruition. However, he did ultimately get demoted to the AHL last season, despite putting up good analytics in his time in the NHL. In just 23 games, he posted a spicy 10.7 GSAx. Maybe, just maybe, the Sabres defence is as good as they’re supposed to be. These are the reasons that Levi did make our list, and some of the other candidates did not.
The Rest of the Notes on Team Canada Goalies Heading into 2024-25
The top name that would fill the honourable mention slot, and if it weren’t for Levi truly showing his talent in his short time, would be in his spot. Laurent Brossoit would be a name any general manager would be a fool to not want as an NHL backup today. He’s technically coming off an award-worth season, but didn’t qualify for the William Jennings Trophy because he had too few games played. Brossoit is most noted, as was one of the recurring themes here, being apart of a winner. In 2023, he appeared in eight playoff games en route to the Stanley Cup Championship. That theme is true, if we are considered the big picture of Canadian goalies we have discussed. Thinking about another name, Braden Holtby. If we go back ten years, a Canadian has been the starting goalie seven times for the Stanley Cup winning team. What’s more, the crossover to this list seems undeniably correlated.
Main photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
