Veteran goalie Brian Elliott will suit up again in 2020-21. The former ninth-round selection has been in the league since 2007-08 but remains a productive contributor into his mid-30s. The terms of the deal are at one year for $1.5 million. The news came Saturday morning.
MOOOOOOOOSE. ✍️ https://t.co/6XpbvT9hlt
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 3, 2020
Brian Elliott Re-Signs with Flyers
Elliott was a serviceable backup for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2019-20. He posted his worst numbers in several years but a .899 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against-average are far from unplayable. His play turned around in the playoffs with a .911 save percentage and 2.15 goals-against in three appearances. Age is certainly a big factor in Elliott’s future production but he hasn’t fallen off the cliff just yet. There is still time for him to rebound and get back into the league-average territory.
The Ottawa Senators drafted Elliott 291st overall in the 2003 Draft. He debuted for one game in 2007-08 but wasn’t a regular NHL contributor until 2008-09. Overall, Elliott has played for Ottawa, Philadephia, the Calgary Flames, and the Colorado Avalanche but his most productive seasons came with the St. Louis Blues. Elliott received Vezina Trophy votes twice as a member of the Blues. He has a career .912 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against. Nobody will mistake him as the best goalie from his class but 13 seasons is outstanding for a position as volatile as a goalie.
What This Means for the Future
There is nothing preventing Elliott from having a few more seasons of productive hockey. Craig Anderson remains active and respectable as he approaches his age-40 season. Fans also continue to watch veterans Jaroslav Halak and Marc-Andre Fleury play regularly on contending teams. Elliott might be approaching the portion of his career where he is no better than a veteran third goaltender but that is also no great barrier. Michael Hutchinson nearly boosted Colorado into the Western Conference Finals and his recent numbers are much worse than Elliott’s. Fans should expect a good year or two yet from the experienced backstop.
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