Analysts are always searching to put a label on a player and call them the “Next One.”

 

Every year at the draft there is a new “Next One,” and most of the time they turn out to be just a good player and never live up to the expectations of the label.

 

Most people are searching for the next Gretzky, but I am actually curious about who the next great goalie will be. Who will be the next Roy, Brodeur, or Terry Sawchuk?

 

These goaltenders are just as legendary at their position as the great skaters that score on them.

 

So who will be the next goaltending legend?

 

There are plenty of great goaltenders out there in Lundqvist, Luongo, and Nabokov. They are all really great goaltenders, but to me they will not be known as legends of their positions. My opinion is not necessarily based on their skill level.

 

What made Brodeur and Roy so spectacular and allowed them to rack up the win totals and impressive resumes they have was the age at which they reached their potential.

 

Lundqvist was already 23 by the time he reached the NHL level.

 

They also lucked out to be on teams that were consistently good. Luongo had to muddle around with the Florida Panthers for several years and now he is on a Vancouver team that did not make the playoffs last year.

 

These are great goalies, but they probably will not match the lengthy lists of accomplishments that Brodeur and Roy have racked up.

 

So begins the search for a young goaltender who could possibly be the “Next One” of goaltenders. No goaltender jumped out at being so amazing that they will reach that level, but three names did come up on my “maybe” list.

 

Marc-Andre Fleury is the top name on my list.

 

Fleury is a 6'2" French-Canadian who played minor league hockey in the QMJHL. That puts him in the same mold as Roy and Brodeur.

 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?