Corey Crawford, Sergei Bobrovsky and the Top New Faces in Net This Year

Hockey is unlike most sports in that so much emphasis is put on one position.  Goaltenders in the National Hockey League are some of the most important people to their respective teams.

So far in the 2010-11 season, fans have seen 14 rookie goaltenders play in game action.  Out of those 14, several have taken their teams to the next level. 

In this slideshow, I will examine some of the top new faces in net this year.  This presentation will focus on some stats and opinions from yours truly. 

Goaltending is truly the most important position in the game of hockey.  Each team that has a player on this slideshow should count itself lucky.  These guys are keepers, literally!

I hope you enjoy the slideshow. 

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No. 6: Jonathan Bernier

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BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Rob Scuderi #7 and Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Los Angeles Kings defend against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on November 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

As a member of Hockeywood Nation, I can honestly say that the play of Jonathan Bernier hasn't been quite as good as I expected it to be.

Los Angeles Kings fans got to see Bernier at the end of last year and we saw him put up unbelievable numbers.  It was kind of expected that he would just jump in this year and do the exact same thing.  Unrealistic or not, Bernier hasn't delivered.

The reason that Bernier is on this list is because he has shown some signs of really being capable of playing at the National Hockey League level.  Although his save percentage is under .900 and his goals against average is above 3.00, you can't deny his talent.

My theory is that he is scared to make a mistake.  You saw it last year with Jonathan Quick.  He didn't have to worry about anyone taking his job because there really wasn't anyone there (no offense to Erik Ersberg). 

Bernier hasn't been given enough playing time and he is scared to let in a goal whenever he gets the nod to go out and play.  It's not healthy for a young player to be scared. 

Although they are forwards, the young guns in Edmonton are allowed to run free and make mistakes as part of the their learning process.  I'm hoping that Terry Murray can take a page out of Tom Renney's book and let Bernier have a little more freedom.

To me, confidence is the big issue here.

No. 5: Cory Schneider

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OTTAWA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 11: Cory Schneider #35 of the Vancouver Canucks defends his net during warm-up before a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on November 11, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Ima

It's been an interesting season for Canuck rookie Cory Schneider. 

Roberto Luongo hasn't yielded much action to any of his backups since his arrival in Vancouver.  This season, the coaching and management staff of the Vancouver Canucks promised that things would be different. 

Although Schneider hasn't really been given the opportunities that were promised during the offseason, his skill set and potential is incredibly evident.  He boasts a very respectable .917 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average.  Those are solid number one goalie statistics. 

The only problem with Schneider is that the sample size hasn't been big enough.  He has played really well, as evidenced by his winning record, but he hasn't been given enough starts. 

It's pretty clear that Schneider has all of the skills needed to be one of the number one guys in this league.  If he isn't going to be given the opportunity in Vancouver, Mike Gillis needs to find somewhere for him to play.  It's not fair to a kid that has been so loyal to the Canucks organization. 

Does everyone remember Ilya Bryzgalov in Anaheim?  I liken it to that situation.  Sure, it's great to have two number one guys on your team, but it just isn't fair. 

No. 4: Michal Neuvirth

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 19: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals kicks out a left pad save against the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 19, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals aren't playing like the team they were last year. 

One of the biggest differences in the United States' capital is the philosophy in net.  Coach Bruce Boudreau, now famous for his tirade on HBO's 24/7, has elected to play a tandem of young guns in net this season.

Although Semyon Varlamov is definitely not a league veteran, he doesn't qualify as an NHL rookie so therefore he cannot be part of this list.  His counterpart, Michal Neuvirth, can.

Neuvirth has shown that he is every bit as capable as the aforementioned Varlamov.  He can make big saves, little saves and keep the Caps in games.  Personally, I'm a big fan of his play because he has confidence.  There is no doubt that he is going to be a star in this league for a long time.

While his stats don't jump off the page, he does sport a respectable .910 save percentage.  To me, what's most impressive about his statistics is the fact that he has won 14 games already this season.

If you ask me, any rookie goaltender who can win 14 games deserves to be considered one of the top new faces in net.

No. 3: Corey Crawford

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 17: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks is hugged by teammate Patrick Sharp #10 after a win over the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on December 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Red Wings 4

After the media made such a big deal about the loss of Antti Niemi over the summer, the Chicago Blackhawks seem to have found yet another goaltending solution.

Corey Crawford has been one of the best rookie goaltenders both in stats and quality of play. 

It was thought that he would suit up as the backup goaltender for Marty Turco, the former member of the Dallas Stars. 

Although Turco and Crawford boast very different career resumes, it has been Crawford that has played like the poised veteran net keeper.  His stats look good for a youngster that is new to the league and his confidence looks even better.

Personally, I think that playing behind the Chicago defense core really helps any young goaltender gain confidence.  If Stan Bowman and his scouting staff aren't careful, they could label themselves as a goaltending factory for the rest of the National Hockey League.

Crawford looks like he is right on his way to take the starting job from Turco just as Niemi did to Huet.  Could we see a repeat of last season in the Madhouse on Madison? 

No. 2: Anders Lindback

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NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 17: Anders Lindback #39 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on December 17, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Who is this guy?  Wow, has Anders Lindback ever played well for the Nashville Predators. 

If it weren't for some stellar play from this list's number one, he could easily be the top new face in net.  It's been a treat to watch Lindback play this season and I'm really hoping we get to see more.

The great thing about Lindback's play is that it has been so unexpected.  Like everything else that goes on with the Nashville Predators, he just jumped onto the scene without any press or expectations. 

Has everyone noticed how well the Predators, Trotz and Poile, seem to be able to develop players without anyone knowing? Lindback is no exception.

Since coming into the spotlight, Lindback has 9 wins in 14 starts.  Those are pretty good numbers if you ask me.  What's even more impressive?  His other stats. 

Anders Lindback continues to shut the door as he posts a .922 save percentage and a 2.39 goals against average.  Those numbers are truly incredible for any rookie goaltender.  Not only are they great for a rookie, they are great for any goaltender.

Lindback seems to have the goaltending gift; he can single-handedly win games.  He is one of those special players that Nashville should hold onto for years to come.

No. 1: Sergei Bobrovsky

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 26: Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Buffalo Sabres on October 26, 2010 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Sabres 6-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After the Flyers' heart breaking Stanley Cup Final loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, all the talk was about how the team needed better goaltending and a big name.

Over the summer, the rumor mill spit out names including Turco and Nabokov.  When it came down to the start of the season, the Flyers stuck with their own goalies. 

Since Michael Leighton is injured, Sergei Bobrovsky was given the chance to play in net. 

When he took to the ice, a lot of people wondered just who he was.  There were a lot of questions regarding how he played, how good he was going to be, and whether he was going to be a long term solution.

Well, to this point in the season, Bobrovsky has certainly answered those questions.

He has really led the Flyers to the spot near the top of the Eastern Conference.  His play has been inspiring and he is showing no signs of slowing down.  It's really great to see a guy like this succeed.  Nobody around the league knew the first thing about him, until now. 

As you look at his stats, you see a .919 save percentage and a 2.44 goals against average.  Combine those numbers with the fact that he has won 15 games this season and you have a leading candidate for the Calder Trophy.  That's right, I think he has a real shot at it.