Need a Goalie?

[Parker 1st MRB]

This was on sportsnet.ca

Here are the top 10 remaining goaltenders that either are or might be available this summer:

1. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks, 12-year deal (ends in 2021-22), $64,000,000

With Cory Schneider seemingly taking over the Canucks’ No. 1 goaltending position, Luongo has made it clear that he’d be willing to leave town for the right fit.

Luongo is coming off a regular season in which he had 31 wins, a 2.41 goals against average, a .919 save percentage and five shutouts. Unfortunately, he struggled a bit in the postseason, and that led to the team starting Schneider in the last two games of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings.

Though GM Mike Gillis is playing it tight to the vest, Luongo is easily the top netminder with the potential to move this summer. Luongo will have to waive his no-trade clause should the Canucks have a deal in place, and Luongo made it clear that he will do whatever he can to make it easier on the team. Eastern Conference teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, or the Toronto Maple Leafs could be on Luongo’s wish list.

2. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames, 6-year deal (ends in 2013-14), $35,000,000

With veteran Kiprusoff’s no-movement clause up on July 1 and with two years left on his six-year deal, the time might be right for the Flames to start rebuilding and trade their second biggest asset (first is Jarome Iginla). Despite missing the postseason, Kiprusoff had a solid year for the Flames with 35 wins, a 2.35 goals against average, a .921 save percentage and four shutouts.

Teams that Kiprusoff could go to are the Leafs, Lightning, Panthers, or maybe even the Chicago Blackhawks.

3. Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild, UFA, $750,000 previous salary

Before the trade deadline, the Minnesota Wild’s backup netminder was rumoured as a man on the block.

This will more than likely be the case this off-season as the Wild appear to be set in goal with Niklas Backstrom as the starter and youngster Matt Hackett primed and ready to be the team’s No. 2.

In 34 games last season, Harding went 13-12-4 with a 2.62 goals against average, a .917 save percentage and two shutouts. While there’s no doubt that Harding is talented, he is also injury-prone and has not played more than 34 games in six seasons with the Wild.

The financially flush Detroit Red Wings will be looking for someone to support netminder Jimmy Howard next season, and Harding’s name is one that came up as someone who could fill that role for the Red Wings.

4. Jonathan Bernier, Los Angeles Kings, 2-year deal (ends in 2012-13), $2,500,000

Based on the way Kings Vezina Trophy-nominated netminder Jonathan Quick played in the regular season and now the postseason, it appears that L.A. is set with their No. 1 man in goal for quite awhile.

The team’s backup, 23-year-old Bernier, appeared in just 16 games this season. He went 5-6-2 with a 2.36 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and one shutout.

With one year left on his two-year deal, Bernier has great trade value because of his age (23) and level of skill. Teams that might want to take a chance on Bernier? The Lightning, Blue Jackets, and Blackhawks.

5. Anders Lindback, Nashville Predators, 2-year deal ends this year, $1,375,000 previous deal

Much like Bernier in Los Angeles, Predators backup Lindback is playing behind a Vezina Trophy nominee in Pekka Rinne.

Lindback, 24, went 5-8 in 16 games with a 2.42 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. In his two seasons as Rinne’s backup, Lindback has played a total of 38 games.

Unfortunately for Lindback, the Preds always seem to have a young netminder waiting in the wings. Remember Dan Ellis in 2007-08 and then Rinner in 2008-09?

Luckily for Lindback, he has shown that he can play upwards of 20 games as a back-up and he is also just 24 years of age.

6. Johan Hedberg, New Jersey Devils, UFA, $1,250,000 previous deal (one year)

When you’re the backup for the New Jersey Devils and are playing under future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur, you probably know that you will not see a ton of action.

Johan Hedberg, 39, has been more than solid for the Devils since joining them in 2010-11. Hedberg was especially impressive for the Devils this season as he went 17-7-2 with a 2.23 goals against average, a .918 save percentage and four shutouts.

With Brodeur, 40, leaning towards another year, the Devils will need to have a backup who can play upwards of at least 25 games; Brodeur cannot play all the time the way he used to. It would make sense for the Devils to bring Hedberg back considering how well he has played for the team in two seasons and how reliable and consistent he has been.

7. Martin Biron, New York Rangers, UFA, $1,750,000 previous deal

Playing under starting netminder Henrik Lundqvist the last two seasons, backup Biron has been a real trooper for the Blueshirts.

This past season, Biron, 34, went 12-6-2 with a 2.46 goals against average, a .904 save percentage and two shutouts. In his two seasons with the Rangers, he proved to the team that he could get the job done when it needed him to and that he was a more than reliable in a support role.

The Rangers will more than likely try to re-sign Biron, but if it doesn’t work out, the Red Wings are rumoured to be a good fit for the veteran.

8. Scott Clemmensen, Florida Panthers, UFA, $3,600,000 for three years previous deal

In his seven years in the NHL, Florida Panthers UFA Clemmensen has held both the backup and starting positions with the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and, most recently, Florida Panthers.

Clemmensen, 34, played 30 games this season and went 14-6-6 with a 2.57 goals against average, a .913 save percentage and a shutout. His strong play down the stretch was one of the reasons why the Panthers were able to make the postseason this year for the first time in 12 years.

While it is yet to be determined if the Panthers will try and bring him back, other teams might want to take a look at him because he has proven that he is capable of being both a starting and back-up netminder. Clemmensen can play over 30 games a year and would be a terrific goaltending depth move for any club that might need it.

9. Chris Mason, Winnipeg Jets, UFA, $3,700,000 for two years previous deal

While it’s obvious that Jets backup netminder Mason is not getting any younger at age 36, he’s still a netminder that can play in upwards of 20 games and provide stability between the pipes.

In 20 games this season, Mason went 8-7-1 with a 2.59 goals against average, a .898 save percentage and 2 shutouts. He did a good job of relieving Jets’ starting netminder Ondrej Pavelec every once in awhile and was also a good leader in the locker room for the young Jets.

It would be wise for the Jets to bring him back at a reasonable price but if they cannot, a team like the Columbus Blue Jackets could use him to help struggling and young netminder Steve Mason get his game back in order.

10. Dominik Hasek, UFA

This is a wild card if there ever was one. Former Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators netminder Dominik Hasek has expressed an interest in returning to hockey’s greatest league.

At 47 years of age, no one is sure what the living legend is capable of accomplishing in the NHL at this point. In 2010-11, as the goaltender for HC Spartak Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League, the “Dominator” went 23-18-3 with a 2.45 goals against average, a .915 save percentage and led the league with seven shutouts.

There are current players in the NHL who actually think the former Hart Trophy winner could make the cut as a legitimate backup, even in his dotage. A true wildcard for any team brave/crazy enough to take a chance.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Harding is a boss

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

How many are legitimately available though?

[G. Wilson]

I'm going to call that Harding and Mason are the only two worth paying. Luongo would be worth a huge paycut to bring his ego down but I don't see that happening.

[Pandalsson 1st MRB]

Bernier and Lindback are getting to their RFA status. I get the feeling that teams will come a-knocking to see what the price would be.

Kipper would probably find the best fit in TO as the cap hit is more manageable than Luongo's.

The team that would be the most interesting to see what they would do is Tampa.

This offseason is going to be one BUSY one it seems (Nash, Radulov, Parise, Suter, Luongo, Iginla/Kipper?) with goalies oddly headlining in lots of markets.

[Parker 1st MRB]

I wouldn't mind any goalie other than what we have now in TO right now (sorry Reims). Unless we can get Luongo for mid-round picks and Komisarek's contract, I don't want him and that ridiculous contract.

I think Tampa is gonna make a hard push for Luongo and if they don't get him, look for them to go after Bernier/Harding/Lindback. They have nothing stopping pucks right now.

Biron/Hedberg/Clemmenson/Mason are all backup goalies, so nothing surprising will happen there.

Hasek is gonna be disappointed when no one takes him, but oh well.

Montreal trades Carey Price

FOR

Toronto trades Mike Komisarek

Yea that seems legit, GO LEAFS GO!

[Mamora BAR]

I dont believe Mason is available but my honest opinion about is that there are better goalies out there. When i watched him play he just didnt seem on the ball at times. Mind you yes a few games he was top knotch but some games it was like....goalie 101 of blocking pucks and he just couldnt do it. I'de get nauseous watching him play cause i knew he was going to screw it up. Hes too wishy washy.

[Pandalsson 1st MRB]

Montreal trades Carey Price

FOR

Toronto trades Mike Komisarek

Yea that seems legit, GO LEAFS GO!

Shame on you for raising the hopes of Leafs fans all over, only to have the harsh steamroller of reality come flatting all their hopes. For shame sir.

Yzerman is too smart to have that kind of albatross contract on his team. Unless Gillis is willing to take back Lecavalier's albatross. But it's not as if Tampa is deep on the fwds pool either. They don't have much in the pipeline when MStL retires if they lose Lecavalier.

[Parker 1st MRB]

goalie 101 of blocking pucks and he just couldnt do it.

Ok let's give these guys some credit here, if you make it to the NHL you are a talented goaltender. The skill level in any Major League sport is incredibly high, goalie 101 of blocking pucks he can do trust me. Mason's career numbers are very good with a .910 SV%, 2.63 GAA, and 136-106 W-L.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Mason has had the unfortunate luck of playing on pretty crappy teams so

[G. Wilson]

Mason has had the unfortunate luck of playing on pretty crappy teams so

I was just going to point that out too. If you put up numbers like he has with lower 3rd caliber teams you have to be a pretty decent goalie.

[Mamora BAR]

Ill admit that the jets werent the greatest this year but they certainly werent crappy. They need more leadership and for their big guns to step up. They were inconsistent. Mason is alright BUT i havent seen him play much due to the fact that ive only witnessed him playing this season.

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

I think you are misunderstanding Luongo's contract. The cap it is only 5.3 and it has an out-clause for the team owning the contract in 4 years I believe. Also... four years from now, his actual income drops dramatically, right around retirement age...

And Parker, if you think you are getting Luongo for Komisarek and a couple mid round picks you have lost your mind.

[Parker 1st MRB]

I think you are misunderstanding Luongo's contract. The cap it is only 5.3 and it has an out-clause for the team owning the contract in 4 years I believe. Also... four years from now, his actual income drops dramatically, right around retirement age...

And Parker, if you think you are getting Luongo for Komisarek and a couple mid round picks you have lost your mind.

Yes we understand the contract, I don't want to pay a goalie for another 10 years when he might not even play 4.

The joke, Gooderham, was that I really don't want Luongo unless we win the trade tenfold.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

So how bout them AHL leafs

[Parker 1st MRB]

So how bout them AHL leafs

They did an amazing job this year, they got to the Calder Cup Finals. Unfortunately, the Marlies are down 0-3 right now in the series to Norfolk (Tampa Bay's farm team) but I ain't giving up hope just yet.

[Cozad]

that was a pretty heartbreaking goal to lose game 3 for the marlies eh?

[Parker 1st MRB]

that was a pretty heartbreaking goal to lose game 3 for the marlies eh?

Yea tell me about it, they need to make those damn boards flush so that never happens again.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

[Mamora BAR]

That goalie went to put himself in time out..was like all ima go stare at the wall...woopsie

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

So looks like Toronto really needs a goalie

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Harding was just resigned to a 3yr deal worth 5.7mill, but I still think he can be used as leverage next season.

[Mamora BAR]

Toronto needs an goalie and its possible they may get Pavelec, unless the jets give him a better contract or he leaves and joins the KHL for 5 million a year.....jets made enough money through tickets and memorbillia and im sure they can make him a better contract...added to the fact that they need to throw money Evander Kanes way....we cant lose Pavelec or him...bleh

The fact is im not sure where the line should be drawn in regards to overpaying players. Pavelec let in some soft goals this year BUT he was a very good goalie this year. Again this is only based on one year. Seems that jets are in a bind and why the fuck do i keep hearing that jets might draft pick Subban?....that guy annoys the hell out of me

Edited June 20, 2012 by Mamora BAR

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

Toronto is going to find the fattest person in the city suit them up and block the net from every angle.

[Mamora BAR]

Maybe jets will give them Mason. Keep Gustav and send mason to them since we just signed a deal with pav. Now lets get rid of Evander Kane then were getting somewhere.