NHL Rumors: Decisions Looming On Starting Goalies

Mar 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Michal Neuvirth (30) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Once the Stanley Cup playoffs end, the NHL rumors will begin to heat up with teams looking to rebuild and retool.  With the upcoming free agent class lacking star power, rumors of players available and restricted free agents possibly getting offer sheets will run wild.

Goaltending is more interesting this year than most as few known names are available but there is plenty of depth and an RFA that could gather some interest.  There are a few usual suspects in the goalie market from last year along with some teams possibly looking to upgrade the position.

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I’m going to look at the starting goaltenders of five teams and look around the league to see who may fill those needs.  Since I will only look at starters there are many teams that are considered set with their starter.  Carey Price, Jonathan Quick, Henrik Lundqvist…teams aren’t replacing these guys, nor are they being traded.

But there are other teams that I expect to hear in NHL rumors as the draft approaches.  The Calgary Flames are one team that could pursue an upgrade in the crease.  Not that Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo were a bad tandem.  They helped the surprising Flames upset the Vancouver Canucks in the quarterfinals before the Anaheim Ducks ended their season.

However Ramo is an unrestricted free agent and Hiller is going into the last year of his contract.  If Flames GM Brad Treliving believes an upgrade in-goal helps push his young, growing team to another level there will be options and there is money to spend if they want to.

I think the Flames let Ramo walk and look for a goaltender that is capable of carrying the starting load should Hiller struggle, though a high-priced goaltender expecting big term doesn’t fit.  Players like Sam Bennett and John Gaudreau are eventually getting bigger long-term deals and tying up money in a big goalie contract will create issues.

The name that comes to mind here is Michal Neuvirth.  He proved he could carry the load and excel behind a Buffalo Sabres team that played though tanking and severe growing pains all season.  Imagine what his record would have been with that save percentage with some goal support.

Neuvirth also deserves a situation where he can play to win the starting job.  He would get that in Calgary and has been around the league enough to add value in the locker room as well.  He certainly would have won more games with better goal support.

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