Stock Watch for the NHL's Replacement Goaltenders in the 2014-15 Season

No single position impacts the fortunes of a National Hockey League team more directly than the goaltender.

They're on the ice for nearly every second of the game. For the goalie, it only takes a couple of miscues to spell the difference between winning and losing.

No matter how carefully teams plan for their goaltending needs during the summer, injuries and other circumstances often necessitate midseason adjustments.

Over the last couple of weeks, we've seen two of the top teams in the Western Conference bring in veteran aid to tide them over while they deal with injuries. Other teams are giving unproven prospects a try in hopes that they'll blossom into full-time players, like Martin Jones did last season for the Los Angeles Kings.

Whether they have a job, want a job or are currently out of a job, here's a look at the impact of the key faces who are causing ripples on the goaltending scene as we head toward the midpoint of the 2014-15 season.

All stats courtesy of NHL.com.

Martin Brodeur: St. Louis Blues

USA TODAY Sports

Where He Started: After spending all 21 seasons of his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, 42-year-old Martin Brodeur found himself in a brand-new situation this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Where He's At: When goaltender Brian Elliott was sidelined with a knee injury on November 25, Brodeur signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues on December 2.

In three appearances so far, he's 2-1-0 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. Most notably, Brodeur stepped in to relieve Jake Allen on December 6 after the starter gave up three first-period goals against the New York Islanders.

By allowing just one goal in the final 40 minutes, Brodeur earned the win as the Blues came back to record a 6-4 victory.

Stock Watch Report: RISING

Coming into this season, the Blues felt strongly enough about their tandem of Elliott and Allen that they let both Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak sign with other teams. Just two months into 2014-15, they've turned to Brodeur, who's impressing.

Expect controversy in the crowded crease in St. Louis once Elliott is healthy enough to return to action.

Ilya Bryzgalov: Anaheim Ducks

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Where He Started: Despite a strong stretch run and playoff performance with the Minnesota Wild in 2013-14, Ilya Bryzgalov wasn't able to turn a preseason tryout into a contract this season. The Wild decided to start the season with Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom.

Where He's At: Once known for their depth in goal, the Anaheim Ducks said goodbye to Jonas Hiller as a free agent this summer. But injuries to both rookie John Gibson and third-stringer Jason LaBarbera have necessitated the signing of Bryzgalov, who was originally drafted by the Ducks back in 2000.

On December 9, Bryzgalov reported to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL for a conditioning stint. There's no set timetable for his Ducks debut.

Stock Watch Report: RISING

Though Bryzgalov has yet to play his first game under his new contract, he's already a winner in the dollar column.

Brodeur's contract with the St. Louis Blues is listed at $700,000, with potential performance bonuses of an additional $1.9 million and a cap hit of $1.5 million, according to CapGeek.com.

Bryz beats that with a $2.88 million deal, according to Eric Stephens of The Orange Country Register. Not bad, when he's also receiving $1.64 million from the Philadelphia Flyers as the second of 14 installments of his compliance buyout.

Josh Harding: Minnesota Wild

Andy King/Associated Press

Where He Started: After his strong 2013-14 NHL season ended prematurely last Christmas due to complications from his multiple sclerosis, Josh Harding looked like he was ready to reclaim the No. 1 spot on the Minnesota Wild goaltending roster heading into preseason.

A fractured foot from an off-ice incident knocked Harding out of the mix. When he was well enough to play in mid-November, he was placed on waivers and sent down to the AHL's Iowa Wild.

Where He's At: In two appearances with Iowa, Harding is 0-1-1 with a 3.37 goals-against average and a solid .920 save percentage.

Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Harding was forced to leave his second start after 40 minutes last Saturday due to dehydration, most likely caused by complications from his multiple sclerosis. The situation was serious enough to keep him in hospital overnight, and he's now listed as day-to-day.

Stock Watch Report: FALLING

After his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Harding's success in net early last season was a feel-good story of resolve and beating the odds. For the past year, he has faced challenge after challenge and is now sidelined once again.

Here's hoping the doctors can get Harding's condition under control to the point where he'll be able to mount another comeback.

Tomas Vokoun: Unsigned

USA TODAY Sports

Where He Started: After missing the entire 2013-14 NHL season due to blood clot issues, 38-year-old goaltender Tomas Vokoun let it be known during the summer that he was back to 100 percent and ready to play hockey.

Where He's At: Last seen in an outstanding relief performance with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2013 playoffs, Vokoun is the next unsigned veteran who could pick up a contract now that Brodeur and Bryzgalov have jobs.

Vokoun's agent Allan Walsh announced in September that his client had rejected a couple of NHL contracts and training camp invites as preseason got underway, per Ryan Dadoun of ProHockeyTalk. Walsh said Vokoun was looking for "the right situation."

Stock Watch Report: STEADY

Though the Vokoun camp has been silent for more than two months, market conditions could yet create an opening for the veteran Czech this season. 

If he's anxious to jump-start the process and ease any anxiety about his fitness after a serious medical situation, Vokoun could follow the model used by Ilya Bryzgalov last season: Sign with a minor-league team to get into game shape and showcase his skills.

Michael Hutchinson: Winnipeg Jets

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Where He Started: Michael Hutchinson's not technically a "replacement" goaltender. The restricted free agent was signed to a new two-year contract last summer by Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, with the expectation that he'd back up starter Ondrej Pavelec this season.

Where He's At: The 24-year-old has seized his opportunity. Hutchinson has posted a 6-1-2 record to get the Jets into playoff contention while leading all goaltenders in the NHL in goals-against average (1.67) and save percentage (.941).

Stock Watch Report: RISING

With just three NHL games to his credit before this season, Hutchinson could be a Calder Trophy contender if he continues his strong play.

Also worth noting—Hutchinson's only regulation loss of the year came during the first week of the season, against the Los Angeles Kings. Since he started playing more regularly in mid-November, he's 5-0-2 while starter Pavelec is 2-3-1.

The extra points earned by Hutchinson have boosted the Jets into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. He's challenging Pavelec for the starter's role as the Jets try to make the playoffs for the first time since their move from Atlanta to Winnipeg four seasons ago.

Scott Darling: Chicago Blackhawks

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Where He Started: A career minor-leaguer who was a sixth-round draft choice of the Phoenix Coyotes back in 2007, 25-year-old Scott Darling had never played an NHL game before this season. Darling just made the jump from the East Coast Hockey League to the AHL last season, going 13-6-2 with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Darling was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent last summer.

Where He's At: Chicago's new acquisition has made the most of his opportunities with the big club. His first call-up came when Corey Crawford missed six games in October due to a lower-body injury. Darling went 2-1 in the last three games of that stretch after backup Antti Raanta fell ill.

In early December, Crawford was sidelined again with a foot injury. Since his latest recall, Darling has helped extend the Blackhawks' winning streak to seven straight games with wins over the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils.

His NHL record is now 4-1-0 with a 1.76 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. That's slightly better than current backup Raanta, who's 3-2 but has also won his two starts since Crawford's latest injury.

Stock Watch Report: RISING

It may not matter who's in net for the red-hot Blackhawks right now, but a battle of the backups is an enviable situation for Joel Quenneville and company. Darling is challenging Raanta for his job, which is driving both players to strong performances.

Crawford's expected to be shelved for another 1-2 weeks, according to NHL.com. He has left his job in very capable hands.