NHL Power Rankings: Rating Each Team's Starting Goaltender for 2011-12 Season

Although not all of the free agent goaltenders have been picked up yet, it appears as if most of the starting goalies for each team are set for 2011-12.  Therefore it is time now for a power ranking of the 30 tenders who will be on the ice come October.

Several factors including age, previous history and team restructuring come into play here as well as the overall skill level of the goaltenders themselves.

Let's begin.  

30. Edmonton Oilers- Nikolai Khabibulin

Fresh out of jail for DUI, "The Bulin Wall" appears to be the starter for the Oilers this season with Devyn Dubnyk nipping at his heels. After his very lackluster season, expect Khabibulin to get even less starts this year and to put up similar numbers. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 46 Starts, 10 Wins
• .890 Save Percentage
• 3.40 GAA

29. New York Islanders- Rick DiPietro

The Islanders goaltending situation is the opposite of solid. With three goaltenders, Al Montoya, Rick DiPietro and Evgeni Nabokov, all vying for the opportunity between the pipes, expect each goalie to get a lot of starts. The reason I believe DiPietro will be the starter is simply because he is earning about four-to-five times more money this season than any of his competitors. To save some face the Islanders brass needs to put DiPietro in the cage for as long as possible which, knowing his injury record, won't be very long.

2010-11 Stats:

• 26 Starts, 8 Wins
• .866 Save Percentage
• 3.44 GAA

28. Phoenix Coyotes- Mike Smith

The Coyotes picked up Mike Smith this offseason after their longtime starter Ilya Bryzgalov was acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers. Smith has split time as a starter during his tenure in Tampa Bay but was put on the backseat this season when Dwayne Roloson came to town. His stats are not up to par but maybe with the role of starter in his head Smith may be able to improve his game. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 20 Starts, 13 Wins
• .899 Save Percentage
• 2.90 GAA

27. Columbus Blue Jackets- Steve Mason

I'll be the first to admit that I was excited when Mason started playing for Columbus and posted an outstanding rookie season. Since then however he hasn't been able to put up the numbers close to what he accomplished in 2008-09. If the Blue Jackets have cup dreams they better hope Mason gets back to his rookie form.

2010-11 Stats:

• 53 Starts, 24 Wins
• .901 Save Percentage
• 3.03 GAA

26. Florida Panthers- Jose Theodore

To be fair, Jose Theodore is still able to put up some impressive numbers for a goaltender. The biggest problem he has however is consistency and starting on the most unpredictable and volatile roster with one of the weakest defenses in the NHL doesn't bode well for Theodore's ranking.

2010-11 Stats:

• 32 Starts, 15 Wins
• .916 Save Percentage
• 2.71 GAA

25. Winnipeg Jets- Ondrej Pavelec

Pavelec had a career year this year and actually posted numbers that are expected from a starting goaltender after three lackluster seasons. However it has yet to be seen if Pavelec can repeat this feat on the newly formed Jets team. My guess is that he cannot. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 54 Starts, 21 Wins
• .914 Save Percentage
• 2.73 GAA

24. Minnesota Wild- Niklas Backstrom

Backstrom has been the starting goaltender in Minnesota since the 2006-2007 season and has had some impressive seasons in the past. Giving him the 24th rank seems a bit unfair but with two lackluster seasons and a severely weakened Minnesota D, Backstrom could be looking at more of the same.

2010-11 Stats:

• 51 Starts, 22 Wins
• .916 Save Percentage
• 2.66 GAA

23. Calgary Flames- Miikka Kiprusoff

Kiprusoff has played in 70 or more games for the Flames for each of his past six seasons. Obviously his low ranking has nothing to do with his ability to fill the pipes day in and day out. It has to do with his weaker numbers and his age. At 34, Kipper isn't getting any younger and his reaction time isn't getting any sharper. This could be a long year for the Flames.

2010-11 Stats:

• 71 Starts, 37 Wins
• .906 Save Percentage
• 2.63 GAA

22. Ottawa Senators- Craig Anderson

Craig Anderson is the type of goaltender that plays exceptionally when his team plays well. An example being the .939 save percentage he posted after being traded from the struggling Avs to the Sens, who were of course on a hot streak at this point in the season. However the problem with Anderson is his ability to play well even when his team is on the downturn. Unless the Senators can build on their late season performance, look for Anderson's stats to not be pretty.

2010-11 Stats:

• 51 Starts, 24 Wins
• .913 Save Percentage
• 2.83 GAA

21. Tampa Bay Lightning- Dwayne Roloson

Dwayne Roloson will be the oldest starting goaltender come October at the age of 42. Although Roloson was a brick wall in the playoffs, his age will be a significant factor next season. The Lightning better start looking for a quality starter soon if they want to have a chance at being a consistent force during the Stamkos reign.

2010-11 Stats:

• 54 Starts, 24 Wins
• .914 Save Percentage
• 2.59 GAA

20. Toronto Maple Leafs- James Reimer

James Reimer may just be the next big goaltender for Toronto. That being said, even after his impressive rookie campaign it is hard for me to put him any higher in the rankings than 20th with all the talent that is ahead on this list. However, Reimer certainly impressed in his first 37 NHL games and if he can continue on that pace, look for him in a much higher position by the end of the season. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 37 Starts, 20 Wins
• .921 Save Percentage
• 2.60 GAA

19. Dallas Stars- Kari Lehtonen

Lehtonen played his first season as a true starter this past year in Dallas and to his credit, he didn't do half bad. However Lehtonen gets the 19th spot on this list because he still needs to prove without a doubt that he can be the starter night in and night out. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 69 Starts, 34 Wins
• .914 Save Percentage
• 2.55 GAA

18. New Jersey Devils- Martin Brodeur

Martin Brodeur is normally at the very top of a list like this but after his very uncharacteristic season in 2010-11, confidence in Brodeur's game has been shaken. The 18th spot seems like a fair ranking when all things are considered including both his impressive past and, conversely, his age. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 56 Starts, 23 Wins
• .903 Save Percentage
• 2.45 GAA

17. Detroit Red Wings- Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard had big skates to fill in 2009-10 when he became the starting goaltender for Detroit. After an outstanding rookie season, Wings fans were ecstatic that they had such a supreme talent in the net. However that faith may have been misplaced as Howard experienced what the NHL bizz calls "the sophomore slump." His save percentage and GAA both dropped and rose greatly respectively this past season.

2010-11 Stats:

• 63 Starts, 37 Wins
• .908 Save Percentage
• 2.79 GAA

16. Anaheim Ducks- Jonas Hiller

Hiller was on his way to a wonderful season as the starter in Anaheim when he was stricken with unexplained and extreme vertigo. After missing significant time, Hiller has declared himself free of his symptoms and ready to play. Although his stats certainly were that of a starter, Hiller doesn't get a higher spot on this list because of his questionable health. What happens if another bout of dizziness hits?

2010-11 Stats:

• 49 Starts, 26 Wins
• .924 Save Percentage
• 2.56 GAA

15. Colorado Avalanche- Semyon Varlamov

Varlamov was traded in the offseason from Washington to Colorado in one of the blockbuster moves this summer. Although Varlamov has shown flashes of brilliance in his short career he has also shown an affinity for injury. If he can get healthy and prove that he can last an entire season with the Avalanche then his ranking as a starter would greatly increase.

2010-11 Stats:

• 25 Starts, 11 Wins
• .924 Save Percentage
• 2.23 GAA

14. St. Louis Blues- Jaroslav Halak

Halak posted impressive numbers for the second season in a row after moving from the Canadiens to the Blues last year. Now Halak appears to be the starter for the future as this up and coming Blues team stockpiles prospects and young talent. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 57 Starts, 27 Wins
• .910 Save Percentage
• 2.48 GAA

13. Carolina Hurricanes- Cam Ward

Cam Ward has been the starter in Carolina for over five years after his heroic Stanley Cup run in 2005-2006. Since then he has been improving his numbers and actually posted a career high .923 save percentage in 2010-11 all while starting more games than any other goaltender in the league.

2010-11 Stats:

• 74 Starts, 37 Wins
• .923 Save Percentage
• 2.56 GAA

12. Chicago Blackhawks- Corey Crawford

Crawford had an extraordinary rookie season in Chicago, looking solid in the regular season and downright unstoppable in the seven game series against Vancouver. If Crawford can avoid the sophomore slump which always seems to hit the hardest for goaltenders, then he will prove his talent as an elite goalie in the NHL.

2010-11 Stats:

• 57 Starts, 33 Wins
• .917 Save Percentage
• 2.30 GAA

11. Los Angeles Kings- Jonathan Quick

Jonathan Quick posted a career low GAA this past season with 2.24 while starting 61 games for this the Kings. His save percentage was respectable and his overall performance earns him a solid spot on this ranking. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 60 Starts, 35 Wins
• .918 Save Percentage
• 2.24 GAA

10. San Jose Sharks- Antti Niemi

Niemi proved, at least during the regular season, that he can be a number one goaltender for San Jose. However his playoff numbers were far from good, lowering his ranking a bit. With a very impressive blue line in place for the Sharks, look for Niemi's numbers to increase even more this season.

2010-11 Stats:

• 60 Starts, 35 Wins
• .920 Save Percentage
• 2.38 GAA

9. Pittsburgh Penguins- Marc-Andre Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury had a fantastic year in net for the Penguins this past season. The biggest problem with the "Flower" is consistency. Some nights he is unstoppable and other nights he will let in a couple of weak slappers from the blue line. Either way, Fleury is a fantastic goaltender for Pittsburgh, a team with dreams this season. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 62 Starts, 36 Wins
• .918 Save Percentage
• 2.32 GAA

8. Washington Capitals- Tomas Vokoun

In one of the best signings of the free agency Vokoun moved from what appears to be a bottom three team in Florida to a top three team in Washington. After consistently posting a save percentage higher than .920 on a less than stellar Florida team, Vokoun has a chance to showcase his skills on a playoff team. Look for his already impressive numbers to increase this season.

2010-11 Stats:

• 57 Starts, 22 Wins
• .922 Save Percentage
• 2.55 GAA

7. Buffalo Sabres- Ryan Miller

There is no question that Ryan Miller is an elite goaltender in the NHL. However, his last season numbers seemed particularly bland for a goaltender of his caliber. With an improved defense in Regehr for Buffalo it is more than likely that Miller will show once again why he deserves this number seven ranking. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 65 Starts, 34 Wins
• .916 Save Percentage
• 2.59 GAA

6. Montreal Canadiens- Carey Price

Carey Price played a total of 72 games for the Canadiens, second for all goaltenders. He also was tied for first with the most wins at 38. Needless to say, Price is a consistent and spectacular goaltender for Montreal and his numbers will most likely stay as steady as ever.

2010-11 Stats:

• 72 Starts, 38 Wins
• .923 Save Percentage
• 2.35 GAA

5. Philadelphia Flyers- Ilya Bryzgalov

Bryzgalov was able to turn a bottom feeder like Phoenix into a back-to-back playoff team over these past two years. His numbers have been stellar all the while and his fifth place ranking reflects that. Bryzgalov's numbers will probably improve greatly this season as he is now behind a better overall team.

2010-11 Stats:

• 68 Starts, 36 Wins
• .921 Save Percentage
• 2.48 GAA

4. New York Rangers- Henrik Lundqvist

King Henrik is consistently a dominant goaltender in net for the Rangers. His stats both from his career and from the past season alone make him a top five goalie in the NHL. However, with the three that are ahead of him coming off career years, Lundqvist has to take the fourth spot. 

2010-11 Stats:

• 68 Starts, 36 Wins
• .923 Save Percentage
• 2.28 GAA

3. Vancouver Canucks- Roberto Luongo

Luongo had a career season but unfortunately came up empty handed in almost every way, hence the half smile in the picture here. A Jennings Trophy is about as close to a Stanley Cup as Luongo is to a playoff giant. Either way, third place seems fair for Luongo who can't seem to get his nerves under control when the situation really matters.

2010-11 Stats:

• 60 Starts, 38 Wins
• .928 Save Percentage
• 2.11 GAA

2. Boston Bruins- Tim Thomas

I know. I know.

It almost seems like a sin to put Tim Thomas at second after the season he just had. This choice will be explained in greater detail on the next slide. For now just marvel at the stats below.

2010-11 Stats:

• 57 Starts, 35 Wins
• .938 Save Percentage
• 2.00 GAA

1. Nashville Predators- Pekka Rinne

Although Thomas may have had one of the most outstanding seasons by a goaltender in NHL history he still doesn't have one thing that Pekka Rinne has: youth. With almost 10 years between the two, Rinne gets the nod for the first overall choice on this list despite Thomas running the table this past year. Age will prove to be a huge factor for Tim Thomas this season. Rinne was second in the running for the league's best goaltender and with one of the toughest defenses in front of him, Rinne could very well capture his first ever Vezina Trophy this season.

2010-11 Stats:

• 64 Starts, 33 Wins
• .930 Save Percentage
• 2.12 GAA