The Good and Bad of Available Goalies

Jaroslav Halak may never play one second for Buffalo. Photo: Pat Iverson

With the trade deadline in just over a day, the Wild have been highly linked to being interested in getting a goalie to backup Darcy Kuemper for the season's final 20 games. So lets take the pros and cons of each of the goalies who are potentially available for the Wild to pickup here in the next day.

Jaroslav Halak (BUF): 24-9-4, 2.23 GAA, .917 SV%, .925 ES SV%

PROS: Halak has previous playoff experience with the Canadiens and Blues. He is also the best goalie available at the deadline now that Ryan Miller was moved.

CONS: He would cost probably more than one should give up for a goalie that will only start 3-5 games in the final seven weeks of the season.

Martin Brodeur (NJ): 14-11-4, 2.47 GAA, .900 SV%, .895 ES SV%

PROS: Holds the record for most wins in NHL history (683). Carries 205 games and three Stanley Cup titles of playoff experience. Would be great mentor to Darcy Kuemper down the stretch and in postseason.

CONS: Marty has not played well this year, especially when teams are skating at even strength. How much does the 41 year old have left in the tank after 20 NHL seasons?

Ilya Bryzgalov (EDM): 5-8-5, 3.01 GAA, .908 SV%, .925 ES SV%

PROS: Would come at a very cheap price since the Oilers have committed to Ben Scrivens as their starter for the next two seasons. Has been a number one starter in a more defensively sound system (Phoenix) and done well before.

CONS: Since leaving Phoenix, has been terribly inconsistent and has yet to prove he can be a number one goaltender in this league anymore. His head and mouth can be humangous big at times.

Cam Ward (CAR): 6-9-5, 3.23 GAA, .891 SV%, .913 ES SV%

PROS: (If someone could find a pro to trading for Cam Ward, please let me know)

CONS: Under contract for another two years with a cap hit of $6.3M each year. Winning Conn Smythe in 2006 has made people overlook mediocre numbers.

Tim Thomas (FLA): 16-19-3, 2.87 GAA, .908 SV%, .912 ES SV%

PROS: Can be a serviceable backup. Also has good playoff experience (2011 Conn Smythe Winner).

CONS: Florida will probably overvalue Thomas and will not come cheaply. Injury and age have limited his play this season.

Devan Dubnyk (NSH): 11-18-3, 3.43 GAA, .891 SV%, .902 ES SV%

PROS: He did have decent numbers prior to this year (ES SV% of .926 and .923 in the previous two seasons respectively). Was placed on waivers yesterday so he could be claimed without having to give anything in return and is a UFA at seasons end.

CONS: "Woof" is a perfect adjective to sum up his play in 2013-14.


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