5 NHL Goalies Facing Make or Break Seasons

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Goalies have the toughest job in hockey. 

Not only do they spend their days having rubber discs fired at them at upwards of 100 mph, but they are the ones carrying the pressure of the whole team on their shoulders during crunch time. 

It seems like there comes a time in every goalie's career where he faces a season that will completely change the course of his career.

Here are five goalies who face that kind of season this year.  

Ray Emery

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I would not say that Ray Emery is facing a make or break season, but he is facing a make or break training camp. 

Ray had a solid end of the season last year with the Anaheim Ducks, but is yet to be signed as a UFA this offseason.

Emery is slated to attend the Chicago Blackhawks' camp on a tryout basis.

This is why training camp is so important for Emery's career.

If Ray does not have a good camp, this may his last chance to get back into the NHL.  

Craig Andersson

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Unlike many of the other goalies on the list, Craig Anderson is not facing make or break season for his career, but rather the team. 

If Anderson plays the way he did when he first arrived in Ottawa at the trade deadline, the Senators should be able compete. 

If not, the Senators will greatly struggle for wins this season. 

The key to any success for the Senators is on the backs of Craig Anderson.

This is why his season is make or break.  

Ilya Bryzgalov

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The Philadelphia Flyers had to make big moves to acquire and then sign Ilya Bryzgalov. 

In the offseason the Flyers shipped away fan favourites Mike Richards and Jeff Carter for his services. 

This is huge pressure for a guy coming into a new team. Especially, for a team that has not had a decent goaltender in many years. 

Bryzgalov is facing a make or break season because that's the way the fans are going to see it. Either, he is a superstar or a flop. There doesn't seem to be an in between. 

Jean-Sebastian Giguere

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Jean-Sebastien Giguere has certainly had his chance to get back into the spotlight of an NHL franchise.

After signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2010 offseason, Giguere was supposed to be the answer, but just added to the problem. He was eventually replaced by James Reimer, midseason. 

Giguere is now playing with the Colorado Avalanche, who are just one season removed from a surprise playoff birth and have a growing core of talented young guys. 

Giguere will be given every chance to succeed in Colorado, if this experiment ends up going wrong, Giguere may not earn another chance in the NHL. 

Roberto Luongo

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Roberto Luongo must be making the people of the Vancouver Canucks organization shake their heads. 

On one hand, Luongo is a great goaltender with the hardware to back up his stellar numbers. 

On the other hand, Luongo always seems to have a poor performance at the worst of times. 

Every year since Luongo joined the Canucks, expectations have risen. Now anything other than a Stanley Cup championship will be a disappointment. 

If the Canucks do not finish the season being Stanley Cup champions, it will certainly be considered a disappointment on the hands of Roberto Luongo.