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NHL Starting Goalies: Crowded Creases

By Ryan Ritchie

Feb 18, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltender Malcolm Subban (70) skates during warmup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Boston Bruins goaltender Malcolm Subban (70) skates during warmup against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins (Tuukka Rask/Malcolm Subban)

Sep 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban (70) makes a save against Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban (70) makes a save against Washington Capitals right wing Justin Williams (14) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

After a rocky start to 2015-16, Tuukka Rask is once again playing at an elite level, proving why he’s one of the NHL’s best. After missing the playoffs in 2014-15, the Boston Bruins are fighting for contention down the final stretch. 

No one knew what to expect from the Bruins after GM Don Sweeney made a trio of unusual moves last offseason, shipping out Milan Lucic, Reilly Smith, and Dougie Hamilton. Torey Krug stepped up in Hamilton’s absence, while Ryan Spooner emerged up front. Now, with a healthy David Pastrnak, the Bruins look primed to lock down a wild card spot.

Signed at $7 million dollars/year through 2021, Tuukka Rask gives the Bruins security in goal for many years to come. In 2015-16, Rask has 17 wins in 35 starts, with a 2.53GAA and .916 save percentage.

Like Montreal, Boston has the luxury of being able to move a top goaltending prospect to address more pressing needs.

Drafted 24th overall back in 2012, Malcolm Subban had an immediate impact in his first year of pro hockey. He went 15-10-5 with a 2.31GAA and .920 save percentage with AHL Providence. Unlike most goalies who take several years to develop in the AHL, Subban is arguably near NHL ready right now. Perhaps the recent recall of Subban is a chance to showcase him at the NHL level?

This isn’t a tandem that can co-exist together.  Malcolm Subban possesses starter quality talent, and needs an opportunity to see if he can reach his potential.  NHL GM’s may be hesitant to pull the trigger on Subban until Boston gives him a little more NHL experience.  His first NHL appearance didn’t go very well back in 2014-15.

Solution: Trade Malcolm Subban

With aging defenders Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, the Bruins should begin stockpiling blueliners. It’s difficult to gauge what type of trade value a top goaltending prospect with limited NHL experience brings. A market value will eventually be set, whether it be Subban, Pickard, Murray, or Fucale. The floodgates should open on the goalie market following that first move.

Next: Buffalo Sabres

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