Backup NHL Goaltenders Most Likely to Become Starters in 2015-16

Every NHL team carries two goaltenders. One is the starting goalie, who sees the bulk of the action during the regular season and playoffs. The other is a backup, who occasionally spells off the starter or replaces him when injured.

For most teams, the starting goalie is usually a well-established veteran. At times, however, the backup can play so well over the course of a season that he takes over the starter's job. Sometimes, they can be a promising young talent, like the Detroit Red Wings Petr Mrazek (pictured above). Others can be seasoned performers, like Antti Niemi of the Dallas Stars, sharing the starter's role with another established veteran.

Here's a look at several backup NHL goaltenders most likely to become starters in 2015-16 with highlights of their careers thus far, analysis of their performance and the basis for their potential promotion. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comment section below.

Joni Ortio, Calgary Flames

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Career to date: Calgary Flames goaltender Joni Ortio has seen limited NHL action thus far, playing in only 15 games heading into 2015-16. As of Oct. 13, he had a career record of eight wins and six losses with an .899 save percentage, a 2.52 goals-against average and one shutout.

Analysis: At 6'1” and 185 pounds, Ortio has decent size for an NHL goaltender. The 24-year-old is a poised performer who moves well in the crease and possesses solid rebound control. Last season, he was voted most valuable player of the AHL's Adirondack Flames. On Sep. 17, the Calgary Sun's Eric Francis reported that Ortio, who grew up idolizing former Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, hopes to follow in his mentor's footsteps.

Basis for promotion: In addition to Ortio, the Flames are also carrying Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo, as all would have to pass through waivers before being demoted. Francis speculates that Hiller could be the odd man out. Once that log jam in the crease is sorted out, Ortio could mount a serious challenge for the starter's role.

Eddie Lack, Carolina Hurricanes

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Career to date: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack is now in his third NHL campaign. He spent the last two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, playing 41 games in each. In 2014-15, the 27-year-old compiled a record of 18 wins, 13 losses and four overtime losses with a .921 save percentage, a 2.45 goals-against average and two shutouts. 

Analysis: The Hurricanes acquired the lanky Lack (6'4”, 187 pounds) in an offseason trade. He is an agile goaltender with a calm, affable manner. He did a fine job as Canucks backup last season, out-playing starter Ryan Miller when the latter struggled following his return from a knee injury. Having recently signed a two-year contract extension, Lack figures prominently in the Hurricanes' future plans. 

Basis for promotion: Hurricanes starter Cam Ward is an unrestricted free agent at season's end. Lack is considered his potential successor. If management decides to move Ward before the Feb. 29 trade deadline, Lack will take over as Carolina's starter.  

Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Career to date: After five seasons as a starter with the San Jose Sharks, Antti Niemi was acquired in June by the Dallas Stars. During his tenure with the Sharks, he posted 31-or-more wins four times and never had a save percentage lower than .913 or a goals-against average higher than 2.59. In 2010, he backstopped the Chicago Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup title.

Analysis: The 6'2”, 210-pound Niemi brings considerable playoff experience to the Stars. While never an elite netminder, the 32-year-old is a seasoned performer with terrific reflexes who stays cool under pressure. However, he has a questionable glove hand and struggles with rebound control.

Basis for promotion: The Stars acquired Niemi to provide a push to their starter Kari Lehtonen, who battled with inconsistency throughout last season. Though they're considered No. 1 and No. 1A in the pecking order, Niemi's experience could give him the edge over Lehtonen over the course of this season.

Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Career to date: Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek played his first full NHL season in 2014-15. In 29 games, he compiled a record of 16 wins, nine losses and two overtime losses with a .918 save percentage, 2.38 goals-against average and three shutouts. 

Analysis: Mrazek has the tools to become an NHL starter. He possesses good size (6'2”, 183 pounds) and terrific athleticism, enabling him to make acrobatic saves. He also has a calm demeanor and never gets rattled under pressure. Only 23, Mrazek's best seasons remain ahead of him.

Basis for promotion: Mrazek took over for a struggling Jimmy Howard down the stretch last season, carrying the Wings to a hard-fought opening-round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He and Howard will duel for the starter's role this season. Given Howard's injury history and streaky play, Mrazek stands a good chance of winning the job full time.

Andrew Hammond, Ottawa Senators

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

Career to date: Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond played 24 games in 2014-15. He sported a record of 20 wins, one loss and two overtime losses with a sparkling .941 save percentage, a 1.79 goals-against average and three shutouts. 

Analysis: An injury call-up last February, Hammond's outstanding performance carried the Senators to an unexpected playoff berth. Affectionately nicknamed The Hamburgler, the 6'1, 220-pounder is also cool under fire and positions himself well in the crease. Recently sidelined by a groin injury, he still has to prove his late-season heroics were no fluke.

Basis for promotion: If Hammond carries over last season's superb effort into 2015-16, he could challenge Craig Anderson for the starter's job. Anderson is a superb netminder who's been hampered by injuries in recent years. If he gets hurt again, it will open the door for Hammond.

Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

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Career to date: St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott is now in his eighth full NHL season. Since joining the Blues in 2011-12, his save percentage never went below .907 while his goals-against average was never higher than 2.28. In 2014-15, Elliott had a record of 26 wins, 14 losses and three overtime losses in 46 games, with a 2.26 goals-against average and .916 save percentage with five shutouts. 

Analysis: The 6'2”, 209-pound Elliott uses his size well to reduce a shooter's angles. He's also quick on his skates and unflappable in pressure situations. Consistency, however, has been an issue, preventing the 30-year-old from seizing a full-time starter's job.

Basis for promotion: Elliott and Jake Allen, like Niemi and Lehtonen, are considered No. 1 and No. 1A in splitting the goaltending duties, but it's clear the 25-year-old Allen is seen as the Blues' future starter. Still, Elliott's experience could give him an edge if his younger counterpart struggles with heightened expectations this season.

James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Career to date: Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer is now in his sixth NHL season. He's had three seasons with save percentages of .911 or higher and backstopped the Leafs to their only playoff appearance (2013) over the last decade. 

Analysis: The 6'2”, 208-pound Reimer is a technically sound goaltender with a good attitude and a solid work ethic. Relegated to backup duty during the last two seasons, he still saw action in 35-or-more games in each campaign. He has struggled with his consistency and tends to give up bad goals.

Basis for promotion: Reimer, 27, is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, so he'll be keen to boost his value in a contract year. With current starter Jonathan Bernier looking shaky early in this season, this is a terrific opportunity for Reimer to earn the trust of new Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.

Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg Jets

Rich Schultz/Associated Press

Career to date: Winnipeg Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson is entering his second full NHL season. In 38 games last season, he posted a record of 21 wins, 10 losses and five overtime losses, with a .914 save percentage, 2.39 goals-against average and two shutouts. 

Analysis: The 6'3”, 202-pound Hutchinson uses his size well to reduce shooting angles. He possesses a strong glove hand and is quite agile, moving well in his crease. While still adjusting to the NHL game, the 25-year-old shows promise as a potential starter.

Basis for promotion: Hutchinson jockeyed with the inconsistent Ondrej Pavelec for the starter's job last season. If Pavelec goes into another one of his slumps, Hutchinson could be poised to take over full time.

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