NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Best Goaltenders on the Market

Head for cover! This year's NHL trade deadline appears to hold no prisoners with movers and shakers coming out of the woodwork.

Goaltenders might get hit the hardest in a barrage of franchise rebuilding transactions.

Recent controversy and contract year performances will have the trade bulls-eye on some goalies' backs. If the rumors are true this could be a deadline to remember for years to come.

Allow me to present the Five Best Goalies On the Market.

Antero Nittymaki

Not a big surprise here, but this could be the most talented goalie to clear waivers.

The former silver medalist has never quite found his NHL niche.

After clearing waivers and being sent down to the minors Nittymaki could still provide serviceable performance for some NHL team lacking depth.

It's surprising that a team like Tampa Bay didn't at least give him a tire kick. Down the stretch someone could become desperate for a net-minder at the pull of a groin and Nittymaki's name is definitely on the easy to get chart.

Nikolai Khabibulin

With a likely regime change or rebuild in Edmonton, the Bulin Wall's days could be numbered in a Oilers jersey.

Nothing against Nikolai, he's had a great career even winning a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay. However teams like his old Bolts, need a net minder these days.

Despite being 39 years old, you couldn't tell by his superb 2.45 goals against average and his .918 save percentage this year.

His back-up Devan Dubnyk has shown he is capable and will be a restricted free agent this year, thus demanding a bump in pay.

It only makes complete sense for the Oilers to move Khabibulin if the right offer presents itself.

Evgeni Nabokov

Nabokov has played very well this season posting a 2.38 GAA and .919 save percentage. However he's only biding his time and Garth Snow would be a fool to think otherwise.

As the playoff picture gets clearer closer to the deadline, look for Nabokov being traded to a contender.

Not that the Isles couldn't make the playoffs but they'd be foolish to let Nabokov hit free agency and not get nothing back.

Cam Ward

Rumor has it the Hurricanes might go into complete rebuild mode. If that's the case Ward would be a major component being replaced.

It was great that he could win a cup as a rookie, but in the past six years Ward has done little to reproduce that magic he had in a Stanley Cup win.

A change of scenery could be good not only for him but the pieces going back to Carolina could invigorate that franchise for years to come.

In any event Jim Rutherford will have to take a long hard look at this eventuality.

Tim Thomas

If this one happens Boston might look like Vancouver after last year's Stanley Cup Finals.

In no way am I condemning what Thomas did, in fact I almost am inclined to support him.

However word on the street is Thomas' little stunt could have forced Peter Chiarelli's hand.

Tuuka Rask's play already had Bruin management tongue in cheek over the possibility, especially with Thomas over the 35-year-old mark.

However is Rask really ready? Considering other goalies like Martin Brodeur and Nikolai Khabibulin are playing well into their 40's perhaps holding onto the tank for a few years wouldn't hurt.

Well it might make things uncomfortable at a black tie dinner with the president for any Bruins officials.

This concludes the presentation. Hope you all enjoyed.

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