Predicting the Most Unstable NHL Goaltending Situations for 2015-16

Goaltending is the most important component for any NHL team. Teams that lack depth between the pipes either struggle to reach the playoffs or fail to advance beyond the opening round of postseason play.

For the teams on this list, several factors come into play. Some, like the Buffalo Sabres, are lacking skilled experience in goal. Some, like the Arizona Coyotes, need their established starters to regain their once-stellar form. Others need depth beyond their starting netminders.

The following slideshow predicts the NHL teams that face the most unstable goaltending situations in 2015-16. Recent performance, experience and contract status factored into this compilation. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

Arizona Coyotes

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Mike Smith is entering his 10th NHL season and his fifth as the Arizona Coyotes' starting goaltender. Backup Anders Lindback will begin his sixth NHL campaign.

Notable factors: With Smith as their starter last season, the Coyotes ranked 28th in goals against per game (3.26). The Coyotes are Lindback's fifth NHL team in as many seasons. He's eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency, while Smith is signed through 2018-19.

Analysis: Since Smith's career-best season (2011-12), his performance has steadily declined. With a rebuilding team in front of him, it could prove difficult for the 33-year-old to improve his play. Lindback struggled in recent years but showed signs of improvement during his brief stint last season with the Sabres. It remains to be seen if he can carry that over with the Coyotes.

Buffalo Sabres

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Goaltenders: The Buffalo Sabres enter 2015-16 with two new goaltenders. Robin Lehner, a five-year NHL veteran, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in June. Johnson, who also has five seasons of experience, was a trade-deadline acquisition from the New York Islanders. An injury kept him out of the Sabres lineup.  

Notable factors: Lehner, 24, is signed through 2016-17, while the 29-year-old Johnson is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. While both have decent career NHL stats, neither has experience as a full-time starter. 

Analysis: Both goalies join a rebuilding team that gave up the most shots against per game (35.6) last season. Considering the lack of experienced skill on the Sabres defense corps, Lehner and Johnson can expect much heavier workloads than they're used to. Their recent injury histories could also be cause for concern. 

Calgary Flames

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Goaltenders: The Calgary Flames return with last season's tandem intact. Jonas Hiller begins his ninth NHL season and his second with the Flames. Karri Ramo is entering his third season with Calgary.

Notable factors: Hiller and Ramo (along with call-up Joni Ortio) combined for a 2.60 goals against per game last season, ranking 17th in the league. Both goalies are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Analysis: Both goalies were inconsistent last season. Hiller began 2014-15 as the Flames' starter, but at times lost that role to Ramo. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to who becomes the full-time starter for 2015-16. The promising Ortio remains in the system, but calling him up could create a logjam in the crease.

Carolina Hurricanes

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Cam Ward is entering his 11th season with the Carolina Hurricanes. Eddie Lack, acquired in June from the Vancouver Canucks, is expected to be his backup. It will be his third NHL campaign. 

Notable factors: Ward, 31, is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. During his career, injuries have at times hampered his performance. Lack has two seasons under his belt but none as a full-time starting goalie. He's also eligible next summer for UFA status.

Analysis: Ward put up respectable numbers last season, but at this stage in his career he's no longer an elite starter. Given his injury history, durability is a concern. Lack has good numbers in his short NHL career. He's likely the heir apparent to Ward, but his effectiveness with his new team remains to be seen.

Dallas Stars

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Goaltenders: The Dallas Stars enter 2014-15 with two veteran starters. Kari Lehtonen, 31, is entering his 12th NHL season and his seventh with the Stars. Signed as a free agent, 31-year-old Antti Niemi will begin his eighth NHL season. He spent the last five as the San Jose Sharks' starting goalie.  

Notable factors: Lehtonen and Niemi are signed through 2017-18. With Lehtonen as their starter last season, the Stars ranked 27th in goals against per game (3.13). The Sharks ranked 24th (2.76) with Niemi. 

Analysis: Lehtonen's inconsistency last season contributed to the Stars' inability to reach the playoffs. Adding Niemi is supposed to provide stability, but he also struggled at times last season with the Sharks. Stars management is gambling on both netminders bouncing back next season. They'd better, or the Stars will have two expensive problems between the pipes.

Edmonton Oilers

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Ben Scrivens enters his fifth NHL campaign and his second full season with the Edmonton Oilers. Challenging him for the starter's role is Cam Talbot, acquired from the New York Rangers in June. He's beginning his third NHL season. 

Notable factors: With Scrivens as their starter, the Oilers had the league's worst goals-against average (3.37) last season. Talbot spent the past two seasons as Henrik Lundqvist's understudy. Both goalies are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Analysis: The Oilers still lack a proven starting goalie. Scrivens posted good numbers in the past as a backup but struggled as a starter in 2014-15. Though Talbot filled in admirably for the sidelined Lundqvist last season, he's never been a full-time NHL starting netminder. He could get that opportunity with the Oilers, but that depends upon his adjustment with his new club. 

New York Islanders

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Jaroslav Halak will begin his 10th NHL season and his second as the New York Islanders' starter. Joining him will be free-agent pickup Thomas Greiss, who's entering his seventh NHL campaign. 

Notable factors: Halak is signed through 2017-18 and Greiss through 2016-17. With Halak as their starter, the Islanders ranked 23rd in goals against per game (2.73) last season. Greiss played in 20 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, winning only nine of them.

Analysis: Halak usually starts each season well but tends to fade down the stretch. The Isles' lack of backup depth in 2014-15 was partially responsible for their poor goals-against numbers. If Greiss fails to provide suitable relief, the Islanders could again risk overworking their starter in the final weeks of the season.

San Jose Sharks

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Alex Stalock returns with the San Jose Sharks for his fifth NHL season. Joining him is former Los Angeles Kings backup Martin Jones, acquired in a June trade from the Boston Bruins. He's entering his third NHL campaign. 

Notable factors: Jones is signed through 2017-18, and Stalock is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. Both goalies have solid career numbers as NHL backups. With Stalock in a supporting role, the Sharks ranked 24th in shots against per game (2.76) last season.

Analysis: Neither Jones nor Stalock has experience as a full-time NHL starter. Stalock began last season considered Antti Niemi's successor but suffered a lower-body injury and struggled following his return. Jones showed promise with the Kings, but their defensive numbers were superior to those of the Sharks. it could prove difficult adjusting to a heavier workload in San Jose.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Goaltenders: Jonathan Bernier begins his third season as the Toronto Maple Leafs' starting goalie. His backup, James Reimer, is entering his sixth season with the Leafs.

Notable factors: With Bernier and Reimer as their tandem last season, the Maple Leafs were 26th in goals against per game (3.13). Earlier this month, the Leafs re-signed Bernier to a two-year contract. Reimer is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Analysis: The Leafs' poor defensive play didn't help their goaltending numbers. Still, Bernier struggled through much of last season, while Reimer's performance continued to decline. With the Leafs in the midst of a rebuild, it'll be interesting to see if their current goaltenders can regain their once-promising form.

Vancouver Canucks

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Goaltenders: Veteran Ryan Miller is entering his 13th NHL season and his second as the Vancouver Canucks' starting goalie. Backing him up is Jacob Markstrom, who begins his third season with the Canucks.  

Notable factors: Miller and Markstrom are both signed through 2016-17. A lower-body injury sidelined Miller for 21 games last season. Though Markstrom is beginning his sixth NHL season, he has only 50 games under his belt. 

Analysis: An aging starter and a questionable backup don't bode well for the Canucks' playoff hopes. Since winning the Vezina Trophy in 2010 as the NHL's top goalie, Miller's numbers have declined. With the Canucks attempting to rebuild on the fly, the 35-year-old could find it difficult handling the heavy workload. Markstrom has yet to fully establish himself as a reliable NHL goalie.

Players and team stats via NHL.com. Salary information via General Fanager.