Stock Watch for Goalies Battling for Starting Spots in the 2015-16 Season

Very few NHL teams employ impact goaltenders who can carry the load all season. Most clubs have a No. 1 goalie who can keep them in games and maybe steal a few during the year, while others are hoping one of their two netminders grabs the job and runs with it.

There are organizations who may be just a top flight goalie away from being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Those teams are looking for immediate solutions, while others are hoping to solve the issues in goal before going on to other problems.

Here are seven teams who have goaltenders with promise who are trying to establish themselves as No. 1 stoppers.

Note: Goalies are ranked based on save percentage, and only those who have played 10 or more games qualify.

7. Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Cam Talbot was an effective backup goalie for the New York Rangers. He stepped in for an extended period during 2014-15 and flourished. 

What Has Happened in 2015-16? The Edmonton Oilers traded for Talbot at the draft and placed him as their opening-night starter this fall. 

Stock Watch: Talbot's stock is down, and he might be missing out on a very good opportunity. Relative unknown Anders Nilsson has usurped the starting role—at least for now—and Talbot will have to wait for his next opportunity. He ranks No. 29 among qualifying goalies in save percentage.

6. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Cam Ward was the Carolina Hurricanes franchise goalie, beginning with his brilliant performance in the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs. He has been the face of the team for a decade. 

What Has Happened in 2015-16? The Hurricanes brought in promising Eddie Lack to push Ward, with the idea that it might be time to move on from their veteran. 

Stock Watch: Ward's stock is down, owing to his own mediocrity and despite Lack's poor play. Hurricanes goaltenders aren't stopping much and the impact on the team has been massive. Ward ranks in a tie for No. 25 among goalies with 10 or more appearances this season. 

5. Karri Ramo, Calgary Flames

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Karri Ramo was the backup goalie during the Calgary Flames' incredible run in 2014-15, playing fairly regularly and getting into seven playoff games. 

What Has Happened in 2015-16? The Flames have had all kinds of issues this season in net, with Ramo playing the most minutes so far. 

Stock Watch: Ramo's stock is down. With injuries and ineffective play by others as the backdrop, he could have grabbed the No. 1 job and run with it. Instead, Ramo's performances have been the best of a poor bunch, and he has not advanced his cause this season. He ranks tied for No. 25 in save percentage among goalies who qualify for this list.

4. Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Antti Niemi was the workhorse starter for the San Jose Sharks in the five seasons up to and including 2014-15. He won over 160 regular-season games in that period.

What Has Happened in 2015-16? The Sharks dealt Niemi's rights to the Dallas Stars for a seventh-round selection in the 2015 draft. Dallas is running Niemi with incumbent Kari Lehtonen in an effort to cover the position adequately.

Stock Watch: Niemi's stock is down, suggesting it may not have been a good bet. It looks like his acquisition has inspired Lehtonen, who is outplaying his fellow Finn by a substantial amount. Among starters with 10 or more games, he ranks No. 18 in save percentage.

3. James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs played the No. 2 role in 2014-15 and was outplayed by starter Jonathan Bernier. He played between 30 and 40 games for five seasons with Toronto between 2010 and 2015. 

What Has Happened in 2015-16? New coach Mike Babcock is using Reimer more this season, and the veteran is emerging as the top option in Toronto. He has played more games than Bernier and is more successful.

Stock Watch: Reimer's stock is up substantially this season. He owns the No. 4 overall save percentage in the NHL and—at age 27—may be heading into the good years of his Maple Leafs career.

2. Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Petr Mrazek has been following the slow development process employed by the Detroit Red Wings since he was drafted in 2010. After cups of coffee in the two previous seasons, Mrazek played in 29 games as a backup in 2014-15. 

What Has Happened in 2015-16? Mrazek is sharing the net with starter Jimmy Howard, although the younger goalie is outperforming the veteran in the important save-percentage category.

Stock Watch: Mrazek is trending in a good way, and it could impact Detroit's future. Incumbent Jimmy Howard makes over $5 million and if Mrazek displaces him—which could happen—we may see a trade involving Howard. Mrazek looks like a bona fide No. 1 goalie. He ranks in a tie for No. 2 in save percentage among goalies with 10 or more games this season.

1. Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

What Was His Previous Role? Jake Allen played 37 games for the St. Louis Blues in 2014-15, nine fewer than Brian Elliott. Allen played most of the playoff games for the Blues last year and the next step is to take over the top job and play over 50 games in a season.

What Has Happened in 2015-16? Allen has taken over the No. 1 job, as the Blues move away from the shared net toward a reliable No. 1 goalie.

Stock Watch: Allen's stock is up in a big way. His .934 save percentage ranks in a tie for No. 2 in the NHL, among goalies with ten or more games this season. St. Louis has been very patient with Allen and are reaping the benefits with a bona fide No. 1 NHL goaltender.