NHL goalie confidence meter 2022-23: Our early-season scores for all 32 groups

October 22, 2022

Simply two weeks into the 2022-23 NHL season, goaltending fires are already blazing in high-expectation markets.

In Toronto, Matt Murray’s harm has thrust Ilya Samsonov into a much bigger position than the Maple Leafs imagined. In Colorado, the reigning champion Avalanche are adjusting to a brand new, unproven No. 1 in Alexandar Georgiev, with blended outcomes. In Minnesota, Marc-Andre Fleury set off alarm bells early because the Wild gave up 20 objectives over their first three video games, essentially the most within the NHL in 33 years.

Which groups are panicking? That are feeling like they’ve the benefit in web? And that are nonetheless attempting to determine what they’ve?

The Athletic requested its writers for a way-too-early confidence studying on every group’s goaltending. Right here’s what they stated, on a scale from 5 (Vezina caliber) to 1 (AHL high quality).


Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

The early numbers for John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz aren’t eye-popping this season, nevertheless it’s been extra a perform of Anaheim’s decidedly leaky play in entrance of them than a perform of dangerous goaltending. The Geese took a step ahead Thursday in holding Boston to 1 aim over 65 minutes, with Gibson stopping 35 of 36 pictures. Enchancment from forwards and defensemen within the Anaheim zone ought to end in higher numbers for Gibson and Stolarz. — Eric Stephens

Ranking: 2 – It may be a bit sieve-like

Most nights, for the Coyotes to have any likelihood to win, they want their goaltender to be their finest participant, as a result of they don’t have any elite offensive or defensive difference-makers to fall again on. Karel Vejmelka gave them the enhance they wanted once in a while final 12 months and is able to doing it once more this 12 months. He’s used to seeing a excessive shot quantity and limitless Grade A possibilities. Again-up Connor Ingram remains to be an unknown amount; he was simply so-so in his debut. — Eric Duhatschek

Boston Bruins

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

Is there a 3.5 class? Linus Ullmark has been excellent after three begins. He’s at a .938 all-situations save share and a couple of.0 objectives saved above anticipated, per Moneypuck. He’s been far sharper in the beginning of this season than 2021-22, when he was transitioning from Buffalo. Conversely, Jeremy Swayman (.816 save share, 3.6 objectives fewer saved than anticipated) has work to do. He’s been leaky over two begins. He didn’t have a pointy preseason both. — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Goaltending has been a giant motive for the Sabres’ early success. Craig Anderson was stable in Recreation 1 and helped steal a win in opposition to the Senators. And Eric Comrie has since had back-to-back 40-save efforts in wins over Edmonton and Calgary. Buffalo has a five-on-five save share of .950, which is correct close to the highest of the league. Goaltending has been a power. — Matthew Fairburn

Calgary Flames

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

It is a powerful one, as a result of we’re speaking a few goalie in Jacob Markstrom who completed second in Vezina voting final 12 months, however two weeks into this season, he hasn’t appeared all that sharp. The Flames have but to see him at his finest as he has battled by way of an sickness within the first week of the season after which let in three objectives on 12 pictures in opposition to Buffalo on Thursday earlier than being pulled for Dan Vladar. By three begins, Markstrom has allowed 8 objectives in opposition to and has allowed practically two objectives (1.71) greater than anticipated. He has a minus-2.33 goals-saved-above-average charge. It’s not nice and positively not what we’re used to. In the meantime, Vladar has a win over the rival Oilers and supposedly might be used as soon as every week to make sure he stays recent. In a present of religion, the group even gave him with a two-year contract extension, by way of 2025. The Flames are nonetheless 3-1-0 to start out the season, and Markstrom has sufficient of a observe document for us to imagine he might be OK. For the document: His first two video games final season have been fairly meh, as effectively, after which he fired off 4 shutouts over his subsequent seven begins. For now, I assume we have now to go along with No. 3. However verify again in a number of weeks! — Hailey Salvian and Julian McKenzie

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

The Hurricanes solely allowed one aim in every of their first three video games, getting stable performances in web from each Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. Thursday’s sport in Edmonton confirmed a bit extra vulnerability — Andersen had a turnover that led to an open-net aim and didn’t make stops in a few key moments in a 6-4 loss. Nonetheless, Andersen has been dependable and unflappable since coming to Carolina, and Raanta must be thought of certainly one of hockey’s prime No. 2 goalies. Issues about sturdiness lurk within the background, however the group additionally has a top-flight prospect in Pyotr Kochetkov. — Cory Lavalette

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Given their current harm/well being historical past, the Blackhawks’ goaltending duo of Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock got here into this season with loads of questions surrounding them. Mrazek leaving Friday’s win over the Purple Wings with an harm may need renewed these fears, however by way of play on the ice, to date this duo has answered any questions fairly confidently. By three video games, Mrazek and Stalock have been each among the many prime 20 goalies within the league in objectives saved above common, and Stalock stopped 10 of 10 pictures he confronted in aid of Mrazek in opposition to Detroit. We’ll see how that unfolds over time, nevertheless it’s a stable begin. — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

Alexandar Georgiev has been higher than his .893 save share suggests — the Avalanche’s struggling penalty kill has completed him no favors — however he’s nonetheless unproven as a starter. Pavel Francouz has proven himself to be a dependable No. 2 and is coming off a season through which he received six playoff video games, together with all 4 within the Western Convention remaining. — Peter Baugh

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

The season acquired off to a tough begin. No. 1 Elvis Merzlikins caught the flu the week of the opener, and with backup Joonas Korpisalo nonetheless recovering from hip surgical procedure final spring, the job fell to Daniil Tarasov. Tarasov was greater than enough in two begins, and Merzlikins has been principally advantageous since he returned to reside motion. They haven’t stolen any wins, however they haven’t been accountable for any losses, both. This isn’t a simple membership to play aim for, however the netminding is means down on the record of considerations in the beginning of the season. — Aaron Portzline

Ranking: 5 – Vezina caliber

Thus far this season, amongst goaltenders who’ve began at the very least two video games, Jake Oettinger ranks first within the NHL in save share (.966) and first in goals-against common (1.00). The subsequent finest figures in these classes are from Tristan Jarry at .952 and 1.67, respectively. Whereas these numbers are possible unsustainable, Oettinger’s play has picked up proper the place it left off within the group’s playoff collection in opposition to the Flames. Primarily based on the primary two weeks of the season, the Stars don’t have something to fret about in web. Moreover, backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood began his first sport of the season Thursday and stopped 40 of 43 pictures in Toronto. — Saad Yousuf

Detroit Purple Wings

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

They began nice, with Ville Husso and Alex Nedeljkovic delivering huge performances within the opening weekend, together with a shutout for Husso. However current additional time losses to Los Angeles and Chicago confirmed motive to pump the breaks. The truth that they now have two proficient younger netminders is motive for optimism that Purple Wings needs to be improved in aim, however because the season’s first week confirmed, consistency will make or break them. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Jack Campbell‘s efficiency to start out the season has been uneven. The dangerous: being pulled after permitting 4 objectives on 11 pictures — with little assist in entrance of him — within the first act of the Battle of Alberta. The great: making well timed stops in wins over the Canucks and Hurricanes. There’s nothing to fret about simply but, however extra is anticipated of him. He expects extra of himself, too. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

Florida is principally in the course of the group save share desk (.905), and that’s thanks primarily to 1 begin by Spencer Knight, a 24-of-27 efficiency in opposition to Buffalo that the Panthers received. Starter Sergei Bobrovsky has been advantageous (.916 save share, thirteenth within the NHL with 2.43 objectives saved above anticipated) with none meltdowns to this point, nevertheless it’s powerful to offer the pairing something higher than a passable grade to this point. If that is the caliber of goaltending we see league-wide all season, although, we’ll have to regulate upward. — Sean Gentille

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

The score comes with a little bit of a qualifier as Jonathan Fast is retaining it from falling decrease. Fast hasn’t been lights out by any means, however he hasn’t price them video games, and Cal Petersen’s struggles within the exhibitions and his first three begins are inflicting some pause. Kings coach Todd McLellan pointed him out Thursday night time after three objectives on 9 pictures in opposition to Pittsburgh acquired him an early hook. L.A.’s group play could be tighter, however Petersen must proper the ship, particularly if Fast can’t mimic his resurgent 2021-22 season. — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

Ranking: 2 – It may be a bit sieve-like

The Wild had main goaltending points of their first three video games. Marc-Andre Fleury gave up seven within the opener, was pulled within the second sport, and Filip Gustavsson struggled in Minnesota’s third sport, together with muffing a dump-in. The encouraging information is how good Fleury appeared in Thursday’s additional time win. “Improbable,” coach Dean Evason stated. However goaltending might be one thing to observe with Wild as season goes. It might derail a season with excessive expectations. — Joe Smith

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

The general defensive outcomes have been higher than anticipated out of the gate, and No. 1 goalie Jake Allen has had a say on this. Allen won’t steal video games, however he constantly retains the Canadiens within the struggle, and the brand new two-year deal he signed throughout camp displays the excessive degree of confidence the group has in him. Backup Sam Montembeault tends to surrender dangerous objectives every so often, and a extra aggressive group would most likely search for an improve, however the outlook this season in Montreal provides him a for much longer leash. — Marc Antoine Godin

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Giving up 17 objectives in regulation in a four-game stretch, the final two of them losses requiring blown two-goal leads within the third interval, is something however stable. However this group has defensive-zone-coverage/costly-giveaway points. The goaltenders have had little to no likelihood on most of these objectives. Juuse Saros might be probably the greatest within the league (if he will get any assist), and backup Kevin Lankinen has been a nice shock to date. — Joe Rexrode

Ranking: 2 – It may be a bit sieve-like

The Devils have gotten two legitimately good intervals of goaltending this season. That’s about it. The rationale New Jersey was so profitable in its fourth sport of the season was that they saved the goalie (Mackenzie Blackwood) as protected as attainable with pace and ability in entrance of the blue paint. As spectacular as that efficiency was, it’s not precisely essentially the most sustainable. The group in entrance of the online has the chops, in idea; now they only want Blackwood and/or Vitek Vanecek to do their half with common goaltending. — Shayna Goldman

New York Islanders

Ranking: 5 – Vezina caliber

Regardless of shedding two of his first three video games, Ilya Sorokin appears to be like primed to make a run on the Vezina, selecting up the place he left off final season when he emerged as probably the greatest within the league. Backup Semyon Varlamov stays a stable No. 2, and he acquired his ft moist with a win over the Geese in his one and solely begin. The Islanders will want each of them, notably over the subsequent few weeks because the skaters acclimatize themselves to teach Lane Lambert’s systemic tweaks. — Kevin Kurz

Ranking: 5 – Vezina caliber

Nicely … they do have the reigning Vezina winner. Igor Shesterkin hasn’t put up award-winning numbers but, however the Rangers are scoring sufficient that they don’t but want him to be Superman in web. And he’s nonetheless saving a aim above expectation on high-danger possibilities in opposition to, so he could also be simply dry-cleaning the cape for now. — Arthur Staple

Ottawa Senators

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

With Cam Talbot sidelined this month, Anton Forsberg has delivered secure and constant goaltending for the Senators. His save share (.903) and goals-against common (3.03) won’t be spectacular, however these numbers are reflective of a wild 7-5 sport that Ottawa managed to win. If he can preserve delivering this similar degree of goaltending till Talbot returns, the group needs to be in nice form to lastly have that desired 1-2 punch within the crease. — Ian Mendes

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Carter Hart’s leaguewide popularity has dipped a bit lately, however I don’t assume that’s truthful. He brazenly struggled with the psychological challenges of the pandemic in 2020-21, and his metrics have been fairly sturdy in 2021-22 — whereas backstopping an terrible membership — till his previous couple of begins, when he was enjoying by way of harm. In different phrases, he’s nonetheless a superbly stable, true-talent goalie. And to date this season, he’s been even higher than that, holding a .943 save share by way of his first three begins and standing as the most important motive for the Flyers’ sturdy 3-1-0 document. Is Hart going to stay this good? Virtually actually not, although if he does, the Flyers will possible make an unbelievable push towards a playoff spot. Groups with goalies that cease 94 % of the pictures don’t lose too usually. On the very least, although, Hart is sending a reminder to the NHL that he stays a top quality netminder — and one of many Flyers’ few respectable roster strengths. — Charlie O’Connor

Pittsburgh Penguins

Ranking: 5 – Vezina caliber

Tristan Jarry has the bodily means to be certainly one of hockey’s finest goaltenders and seems to be on the verge of getting into the highest tier, off to his finest begin to a season and exhibiting indicators of maturing right into a gem. He has allowed solely 5 objectives in three video games and stopped 39 of 40 pictures in opposition to the Kings on Thursday. Casey DeSmith, by the way, was additionally stellar in his solely efficiency and is mostly a notch or two above reliable. The problem for each is how wholesome they’ll keep, however after they’re obtainable — as they’ve been to date — they appear to be discovering a better degree than in earlier seasons. — Josh Yohe and Rob Rossi

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Rather a lot has gone flawed for the Sharks, however goaltending will not be on the record. James Reimer has been excellent and have become the primary goalie to “break serve” and get an additional begin after alternating with Kaapo Kahkonen. He has saved San Jose in video games the place it has been outplayed. Kahkonen’s two begins have simply been OK, however the group’s total goaltending depth can also be higher than it has been shortly. — Corey Masisak

Ranking: 1 – AHL high quality

There wasn’t a ton of confidence in Philipp Grubauer coming into the season after final 12 months’s catastrophe, however he did have an opportunity to show that 2021-22 was an outlier after having put up Vezina-like numbers in Colorado. The truth that Seattle now has some scoring help was working in his favor, too. However an .860 save share to date isn’t inspiring confidence in a comeback, and an harm sustained final night time in Colorado places his season on maintain. There’s no replace on his standing to date. That leaves the online to Martin Jones, which drops the boldness meter even decrease. Joey Daccord, nevertheless, might deliver some intrigue if promoted. — Shayna Goldman

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

The Blues haven’t performed many video games — Saturday’s matinee in Edmonton might be simply their third of the season — however No. 1 netminder Jordan Binnington has been electrical early. The large query coming into the season was whether or not he might choose up the place he left off within the 2022 playoffs, and he has. The Blues have been hoping for this to be the case, contemplating he has 5 years left on his six-year, $36 million deal. New backup Thomas Greiss has but to look in a sport, however that’s excellent news as a result of it means Binnington is enjoying effectively. — Jeremy Rutherford

Ranking: 5 – Vezina caliber

If there’s one group that shouldn’t fear about its goaltending, it’s the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy is arguably the most effective on the earth, and Brian Elliott has performed effectively as a backup in 2021. Vasilevskiy helped finish Tampa Bay’s skid Friday by stopping 36 of 38 pictures in an additional time win over Florida. He’s a giant motive the Lightning ought to nonetheless be Cup contenders even with key offseason departures. — Joe Smith

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

Ilya Samsonov has been regular to date. He’s received his first three begins with the Maple Leafs and has, in the interim anyway, quieted among the severe concern that arose when Matt Murray suffered an harm days after his first begin with the group. It’s nonetheless too early to make a lot of something, although, in terms of the Leafs’ goaltending. Samsonov has but to show he could be a dependable No. 1 (and even 1B) within the NHL, and Murray received’t be again for some time. Can Samsonov preserve this up for an additional month? Can he stick with it all season? Can Murray get wholesome? Can he keep wholesome? Can Murray carry out adequately? The query marks in aim will undoubtedly linger all season. — Jonas Siegel

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Thatcher Demko will not be the explanation the Canucks are shedding, however he additionally isn’t enjoying as much as our sky-high expectations of him, posting an .861 save share with an 0-3-1 document. Demko was the Canucks’ finest participant final season, although, so the boldness degree in him ought to stay excessive. Even when he regresses considerably, he’s prone to have an prolonged stretch carrying this group and is, with out query, certainly one of its unqualified strengths. The larger downside for the Canucks is that they only don’t have sufficient solutions for these blips when Demko isn’t performing. Spencer Martin’s a little bit of a wild card since he hasn’t been an NHL backup earlier than, however he’s appeared respectable each time he’s gotten into video games. — Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Goaltending was the Golden Knights’ greatest query mark getting into the season, with the group leaning on the inexperienced duo of Logan Thompson and Adin Hill, however thus far, it has been a nice shock. Each have completed what they’ve been requested, giving Vegas an opportunity to win each night time, and Thompson has exceeded expectations with some sensational saves. It’s nonetheless actually early, so I’m not able to crown them “Vezina caliber,” however I believe “rock stable” has been an ideal descriptor for Thompson and Hill. There’s loads of optimism across the Golden Knights’ goalies, particularly with Thompson’s spectacular begin. — Jesse Granger

Ranking: 4 – Rock stable

Darcy Kuemper’s numbers (2-2-0, .902 save share, 3.04 goals-against common) don’t look so scorching after his first 4 begins in D.C. In his case, although, stats don’t inform the whole story. Washington’s huge free-agent signing has been the sufferer of a few bizarre bounces, and it must also be famous that the defensive pairs just lately acquired a uncommon shakeup in an effort to generate a “spark.” New backup Charlie Lindgren (0-1-0, .923, 3.18), in the meantime, was good in his first begin, a 3-2 loss to former Caps netminder Ilya Samsonov in Toronto. Backside line: It’s tremendous early and Kuemper has a protracted observe document of excellence. No have to be too involved — but. — Tarik El-Bashir

Ranking: 3 – Not nice, however not killing them

Connor Hellebuyck is off to a wonderful begin and David Rittich isn’t. That’s the story in Winnipeg. Three video games, two wins, a .922 save share, and a powerful exhibiting in Evolving-Hockey’s goals-saved-above-expected metric are numbers harking back to Hellebuyck’s 58-game, Vezina Trophy-winning efficiency in 2019-20. Limiting Hellebuyck to 58 video games this season would take extra confidence in Rittich, who gave up 4 objectives within the first interval in opposition to Vegas on Thursday. That stated, the video of these objectives in opposition to — apart from his terrible giveaway to Jack Eichel — is kinder to Rittich than to his group. Don’t depend on him however don’t depend him out but, both. — Murat Ates

(Prime photograph of Marc-Andre Fleury: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA Immediately)

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