Stock Watch for Goalies Battling for Starting Spots in the 2016-17 Season

Teams with a goaltender who can be considered elite and untouchable are becoming more and more rare in today's NHL. There are only a handful of guys who could fall in that category along with Henrik Lundqvist, Carey Price, Braden Holtby and Tuukka Rask, for example. 

There are, however, many players you can consider clear-cut No. 1 netminders among the 30 franchises. They may not be among the elite, but they are serviceable with little competition. 

Then there are the uncertain creases. These feature veterans being pushed by youngsters or surprising performances forcing teams to consider redefining their pecking orders at the position. The following list consists of goalies from nearly a third of the clubs, with each having a real shot at taking control of the top spot on his squad for a variety of reasons.

Whether their coups succeed depends on their health, play from their competition and, of course, their records going forward. We rank them based on their stock at the moment and where it is at compared to the expectations established coming into the season. Statistics play a big part and suggest some are more likely than others to triumph in their quests.

9. Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers

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Previous Role: Michal Neuvirth was brought to the Philadelphia Flyers to back up starter Steve Mason in the 2015-16 season and served in that role throughout the regular season, filling in admirably when Mason was injured or performing poorly.

The 2016-17 season so far:  When Mason was pulled in the playoffs last spring, Neuvirth offered hope he could be a starting-caliber goaltender this season by giving the Washington Capitals a real test in the first round. He's been given a chance to platoon with Mason this season and potentially steal the top job. 

Stock Watch: The Neuvirth who was a menace to the Caps in the playoffs has not been nearly as difficult to beat so far this regular season, and he recently suffered a knee injury that could keep him out of action for four to six weeks. Even before the injury, Neuvirth's numbers did little to impress. Despite a 4-2-0 record, his save percentage is among the worst in the NHL at .859, and his GAA is 3.54. Neuvirth's stock is way down, and Mason has an opportunity to shine again.

8. Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars

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Previous Role: Kari Lehtonen was a starting netminder with the Atlanta Thrashers and Dallas Stars for the better part of a decade before the Stars brought in some competition for the role in Stanley Cup winner Antti Niemi last season. The two split the workload evenly in 2015-16.

The 2016-17 season so far: The split continues for the Stars, but they're looking for one of them to put a string of solid play together. It hasn't happened yet, with Lehtonen making nine starts and Niemi the other eight.

Stock Watch: Neither goaltender is playing well, but Lehtonen's 3-4-3 record is less than stellar. His .891 save percentage ranks a dismal 43rd among netminders who have started at least five games this season. He also has a 3.18 goals-against average. The Stars need to do something about this terrible tandem. Lehtonen's stock couldn't be much worse, and Niemi isn't much better, with a .898 save percentage and 3.44 GAA.

7. Louis Domingue, Arizona Coyotes

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Previous Role: Arizona Coyotes starter Mike Smith has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and Louis Domingue took advantage of Smith's absence last year as a call-up from the AHL who performed well in regular action over the second half of the season. The prospect was one of four goalies to make a start for the Coyotes.

The 2016-17 season so far: Domingue was brought back as the full-time backup this term and has been the regular starter so far, with Smith again suffering an injury early in the season. 

Stock Watch: Last year, Domingue showed a lot of promise with a .912 save percentage and 2.75 goals-against average for a bad Coyotes club. This season, however, his numbers are not boding well for a potential starting job. Domingue has a 4-8-0 record with a 3.42 GAA and .899 save percentage. With Smith returning to action on Wednesday night, Domingue's stock is plummeting.

6. Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks

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Previous Role: Jacob Markstrom arrived at the Vancouver Canucks via a trade with the Florida Panthers a couple of seasons ago to provide positional depth and work toward becoming a starter. He backed up veteran Ryan Miller last year, starting 30 times with a 13-14-4 record and .915 save percentage. 

The 2016-17 season so far: The Canucks have been hopeful they would be able to transition from Miller to Markstrom, and the team has split their starts thus far. The Swede has started eight times to Miller's nine and has similar numbers (.892 save percentage and 2.82 GAA to Miller's .899 and 2.92 respectively).

Stock Watch: Markstrom has done enough to earn a timeshare in Vancouver, but Miller's inability to impress is equally responsible for the uptick in playing time. Markstrom's stock is up, but only slightly. 

5. Chad Johnson, Calgary Flames

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Previous Role: Chad Johnson has been a career backup, serving as the relief goaltender for the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres the past few years. He became the starter by default in Buffalo last year when Robin Lehner was hurt.

The 2016-17 season so far: Johnson was brought to Calgary to back up Brian Elliott, but the latter's early-season struggles have opened the door for Johnson to steal some unexpected playing time for the struggling Flames. 

Stock Watch: While former St. Louis Blues veteran Elliott has gone 3-8-0 with an .882 save percentage and 3.36 goals-against average, the 30-year-old journeyman Johnson has been a pleasant surprise. Johnson has been by far the better goaltender, with a 4-2-1 record, one shutout, a 2.24 GAA and .915 save percentage, with the latter both ranking in the top 20. Johnson has been so impressive he started on back-to-back nights in different cities—and won both contests while allowing just one goal.

4. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Previous Role: As the Tampa Bay Lightning backup goalie the past couple of years, Andrei Vasilevskiy has been deemed one of the better young netminders in waiting in the NHL. He started 13 games in 2014-15 and then 21 last season.

The 2016-17 season so far: Vasilevskiy is expected to play more regularly this year as the team grooms him to take over the starting role, with incumbent Ben Bishop a pending unrestricted free agent. He has started six times and appeared in eight games of the Lightning's first 17 this season.

Stock Watch: While Bishop has struggled a little statistically out of the gate, with a 2.94 goals-against average and .902 save percentage, Vasilevskiy has been solid and earning more time. The 22-year-old has a 1.66 GAA and .945 save percentage that ranks him fifth and fourth respectively among the NHL leaders. His stock is up, and he's not far off a 50 per cent split. He could be the starter by the end of the year.

3. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

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Previous Role: Connor Hellebuyck was part of a three-headed monster last season when the Winnipeg Jets searched desperately for consistency and health in goal. Hellebuyck turned out to be the best of the bunch after his recall from the AHL's Manitoba Moose. 

The 2016-17 season so far: The Jets sent former starter Ondrej Pavelec to the minors this year to give both Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson a shot at developing into the top netminder. Hutchinson is a few years older (26) and has slightly more NHL experience than the 23-year-old Hellebuyck, but the latter has earned more starts so far this year.

Stock Watch: Hellebuyck was a bright spot last season and has been solid in his 11 starts so far. The 23-year-old has a 7-4 record after winning his last four starts. He has one shutout, a .916 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average. He appears capable of a starting role in the league, and his stock is rising.

2. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings

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Previous Role: Jimmy Howard was the Detroit Red Wings' starter from 2009 until last season, when he was relegated to the backup role in favor of youngster Petr Mrazek. Howard did get to start 33 games in 2015-16 and was the stronger of the two down the stretch. 

The 2016-17 season so far: The Red Wings selected the 24-year-old Mrazek to be the first-choice goaltender following training camp, but Howard has started seven times this season, with a 4-3-0 record so far, including a shutout. 

Stock Watch: The 32-year-old Howard has been the better Wings netminder statistically, with a .943 save percentage and 1.80 goals-against average that both rank sixth in the NHL among those who have started at least five games this season. His stock is up, and the Red Wings look smart for keeping the well-paid backup around rather than trading him.

1. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Previous Role: Pittsburgh Penguins prospect goaltender Matthew Murray was in just his second full AHL season last year when called into action late in the campaign when the Pens faced injuries to both their NHL netminders. He was stellar in 13 regular-season games and went on to lead the Pens to the Stanley Cup in the playoffs.

The 2016-17 season so far: Murray's impressive play last spring led to an opportunity this season to at least share the crease with veteran Marc-Andre Fleury, but the injury he suffered at the World Cup of Hockey delayed that chance. His return to the crease had been going well, and the blow he took in Wednesday night's contest against the Washington Capitals isn't expected to keep him out of action long, according to the Associated Press (via Sportsnet.ca). 

Stock Watch: With a 4-1 record, Murray has picked up right where he left off. He has a .951 save percentage, which leads all goalies who have made at least five starts, and his 1.62 goals-against average is the third-best record. Wednesday's partial contest was his first loss of the year. He's 4-1-0 with one shutout to his credit. His stock is soaring.

Statistics via NHL.com