The back-up goalies in the NHL this year have forgotten that they are back-ups. The statistics speak for themselves. Many back-ups have outplayed their starting teammate between the pipes. This is great news for many NHL coaches, but has also started some goaltender controversies. The following are the statistics for the top ten back-up goalies.
San Jose – Alex Stalock – 14 GP – 7-4-0 – 1.69 GAA – .939 SV%
Los Angeles – Martin Jones – 13 GP – 8-4-0 – 1.71 GAA – .940 SV%
New York Rangers- Cam Talbot – 16 GP – 10-4-0 – 1.78 GAA – .935 SV%
Anaheim – Fredrik Anderson – 17 GP – 14-2-0 – 1.94 GAA – .931 SV%
Montreal – Peter Budaj – 14 GP – 6-4-1 – 1.97 GAA – .926 SV%
Phoenix – Thomas Greiss – 14 GP – 7-4-1 – 2.09 GAA – .932 SV%
Carolina – Anton Khudobin – 17 GP – 12-4-0 – 2.16 GAA – .927 SV%
Winnipeg – Al Montoya – 16 GP – 9-4-1 – 2.22 GAA – .925 SV%
Vancouver – Eddie Lack – 21 GP – 8-7-3 – 2.28 GAA – .919 SV%
Boston – Chad Johnson – 15 GP – 9-3-0 – 2.30 GAA – .919 SV%
Having a quality two-man goaltending team is a great problem for teams to have. Players tend to play better if another quality guy is pushing him. These statistics also make some of these high dollar, long-term contracts signed by goalies very questionable. Do owners have to sign long-term deals for goalies, or is a three-year bridge contract make more sense? Having a great back-up can also be very important heading into the playoffs. Is two man goalie tandems the wave of the future?
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.