Bumper Crop of Veteran Goalies This Summer

With free agency just days away, there is a surprisingly large number of proven goalies that will be looking to sign what could be the last contracts of their careers. With at least a couple of teams looking to upgrade their situation in net, there will be lots of action in the next week or so that could have a sizable impact on the way next season plays out.
The top ten goalies on the market, including Tim Thomas, rumored to be on the move with no room left for him in Boston, are all aged 28 or older, with more than half already over 30. For teams looking to add some experience to their roster, it’s certainly not in short supply, as all of the available goalies have previous playoff experience. Let’s take a look at all the keepers on the market and what they have to offer to potential suitors.

Evgeni Nabokov: At 33 years old, Nabokov was recently informed that the only NHL team he’s ever played for had decided not to pursue a new contract with him. The Russian netminder is coming off his 3rd consecutive 40-win season in which he finished 2nd only to Martin Brodeur with 44 wins and a 2.43 GAA. Where Nabokov has struggled at times in the past is the postseason, although this year, he played much better, posting a 2.56 GAA in 15 appearances before the Sharks were knocked out by the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. Nabokov’s negotiating rights have already been traded to Philadelphia, who have been perennial buyers on the goalie market in the offseason. Nabokov could be an answer for at least two more seasons, should they manage to sign him. If not, he’ll be the top prize of the summer’s goalie pool.

Tim Thomas: It’s not often a Vezina Trophy winner finds himself without a spot in the lineup the very next year, but after Tuuka Rask’s impressive performance throughout last year, that’s exactly what happened to Thomas. The backup for the American Olympic team posted a 2.56 GAA in the 43 starts he got, but the Bruins won’t be looking to pay him $5 million a year to warm the bench. Everyone knows this though, and everyone also knows the B’s are short on cap space, so they don’t exactly have a strong position to negotiate from on this one. They may be more willing than you’d think to accept an offer that might not seem like it should bring back a Vezina winner. He’s already waived his NTC, and if the Flyers should fail to lock up Nabokov, it would seem that Thomas would be the next logical option.

Chris Mason: In all likelihood, Mason probably didn’t see himself packing his bags when this summer started, but with Jaroslav Halak’s arrival, he’s clearly the odd man out in St. Louis. In Mason, whatever team ends up signing him will be getting a 33 year old keeper that’s been to the playoffs twice already, albeit with teams that didn’t make it out of the first round, who’s coming off a season in which he posted 30 wins for the first time. What’s extra appealing about Mason is the fact that he doesn’t come with the huge price tag that Thomas and Nabokov will be carrying.  I would think Tampa Bay will at least kick the tires here, unless they’re the only ones in the league who think Mike Smith’s the best option for them.

Michael Leighton: The goalie that carried the Philadelphia Flyers within two wins of the Stanley Cup after starting the season as a backup in Carolina will be searching for a new home this summer. Leighton has never been a proven NHL starter, and the 34 games he played with the Canes and Flyers are the most he’s ever played in a season. Still, with the solid efforts he turned in, both in the regular season and the playoffs, there will definitely be some teams interested in at least offering him a shot at the starting role. Again, Tampa Bay could be a potential landing spot, and if Florida ends up trading Tomas Vokoun, Leighton could work there as well.

Dan Ellis: As has been the case so often in recent years, some teams are just blessed with an overdose of solid goaltending. Whenever that happens, usually one of the potential starters is sent on his way, and in a small money market like Nashville, there’s no way both Ellis and Pekka Rinne could both be on the roster. He’ll be coming into just his 4th NHL season, and has seen less and less ice over the past two years, but he did win 20 games with a 2.34 GAA his rookie year, and there’s definitely potential. Not saying I’ve even seen anything to back this up, but San Jose could make sense here. At just 29 and with salary expectations probably in the $2-3.5 million range, Ellis could thrive in an environment where goal support is a little easier to come by.

Marty Turco: When Kari Lehtonen was added late in the season, it became clear that Turco’s days in Dallas were numbered. At 33, Turco is the Stars’ all time leader in games played, and has six 30 win seasons since 2002. While he’s certainly not washed up, his numbers have slipped in the past two seasons, and he played just 53 games this year. Alot of people thought Turco could have ended up in Philadelphia at the trade deadline, although it doesn’t appear he’s their first option at this point. Turco doesn’t make much sense for a team like Tampa Bay in more of a rebuilding phase, so the list of potential suitors may be shorter than his previous accomplishments would normally dictate, especially when he’s coming off a contract where he made $5.4 million a year. After a season that saw him post a GAA in the bottom third of all starting goalies, I doubt teams will be breaking the bank because of his past record.

Jose Theodore: After an early exit from the playoffs that saw Theodore be yanked early on yet again, the Washington Capitals will probably be looking to go in a new direction in net. Theodore had an impressive regular season, winning 30 games and losing just 7. Theodore’s been in the league since 1995, and has had seasons where he’s damn near unbeatable and seasons where he looks a lot more mediocre. I doubt he’ll get a long term deal wherever he ends up signing.

Martin Biron: A veteran keeper that will probably be looking to sign on somewhere as a capable backup, Biron’s most likely target would seem to be his former team, the Buffalo Sabres. With Patrick Lalime on the way out, I’m sure the Sabres wouldn’t be opposed to shelling out the $1-1.5 million for a goalie that was playing in the Eastern Conference Finals just three seasons ago.

Antero Niitymaki: The 29 year-old Finn was given a prime chance to earn himself the starting job in Tampa Bay this season, but didn’t exactly wow anyone with his 21 wins and 2.87 GAA in 49 appearances.  Niittymaki isn’t exactly starting goalie material in today’s NHL, but for under a million a year, he’s a pretty solid option for a team looking for a fill-in who could be called on for 20+ games a year to keep a young starter well rested. That fits a whole lot of teams, so he should be able to find work somewhere.

Well folks, if goaltending was a complaint you had with your club last season, there’s plenty of options this offseason. Not all of them are going to win you a Cup, but being able to confidently turn the net over to a seasoned vet when you’re looking to keep your stud young starter healthy can be more beneficial than you’d think.

That’s the View from the Cheap Seats, and as always, thanks for reading. You can follow me at twitter.com/editorinleaf.