NHL Goalie Situations: Atlantic Division
The NHL goalie situations is always a hot topic in the hockey world. Although most teams have an experienced number one starter on their roster, it is always intriguing to see backups and rookies try to steal the spotlight. The 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs were a prime example of this. We saw backups Petr Mrazek, Andrew Hammond, Scott Darling, Karri Ramo, Eddie Lack and Jake Allen take over the crease at some point.
The 2015-16 season will be fun to watch because of all of the goalie transactions, so let’s take a look at each team’s goalie situation heading into training camp, ranked from best situation to worst.
A few days ago, I looked at the goalie situations of teams in the Metro Division, so today let’s take a look at the Atlantic Division.
player. 152. <strong>Carey Price</strong> had one of the greatest campaigns as a goalie in NHL history last season, and will look forward to helping the Habs reach the next level next season. <strong>Dustin Tokarski</strong> is a good backup who is pretty reliable. Prospect <strong>Zachary Fucale</strong> is waiting in the wings.. . . Montreal Canadiens. 1
2. player. 23. 6’7″ <strong>Ben Bishop </strong>has emerged as one of the top goalies in the NHL after only two full seasons in the league. 21-year-old <strong>Andrei Vasilevskiy </strong>has a lot of potential, but will spend another season as Bishop’s backup, hoping to gain more experience with one of the league’s best teams. He is a future starting goalie. <strong>Kristers Gudlevskis </strong>is a 23-year-old Latvian who also has a future in the NHL, however, he will likely start in the AHL.. . . Tampa Bay Lightning
. Boston Bruins. 3. player. 70. <strong>Tuukka Rask,</strong> despite having a bit of an off year, is still one of the best in the league, and you can bank on a comeback performance next season. Not everyone is sold on <strong>Malcolm Subban </strong>making the jump to the NHL so early as a 21-year-old, but he has potential to be a solid goalie in the majors. <strong>Jeremy Smith </strong>and <strong>Zane McIntyre </strong>will battle Subban for the backup spot if the Bruins do not sign a free-agent goalie..
player. 91. The Sens had a three-goalie dilemma on their hands going into the offseason, so they traded away Robin Lehner. <strong>Craig Anderson</strong> and <strong>Andrew Hammond</strong> will likely split time, unless one of them runs away with the job.. . . Ottawa Senators. 4
12. <strong>Robin Lehner </strong>is only 24, but many believe he cannot start because he had an underwhelming past couple of seasons. If he can get back to his 2012 form, the Sabres stole him. <strong>Chad Johnson </strong>is a solid backup, but prospects <strong>Andrey Makarov</strong> and <strong>Nathan Lieuwen</strong> will be breathing down his neck.. . . Buffalo Sabres. 7. player
<strong>Roberto Luongo </strong>is the number 1 goalie in Sunrise, and is still relevant at age 36. He will be backed up by <strong>Al Montoya</strong>, who was inconsistent last season.. . . Florida Panthers. 8. player. 87