NHL Starting Goalies Security Level Heading into 2016-17

NHL Starting Goalies: Which Netminders are Most Secure Heading into 2016-17 Season?

Continuing with our 2016-17 season preview, we put the spotlight on NHL starting goalies. The man between the pipes is a different breed of player carrying more responsibility than any other position. It takes elite mental strength to strap on the pads and put an entire team on your back as the final line of defense.

Goalies have evolved over the past few decades. Once a position dominated by a stand-up style, goalies nowadays are required to be much more athletic with the ability to slide from post to post.

Athleticism will play an even greater role moving forward with changes to goalie equipment. The move is necessary when you compare pictures of goalies in modern-day to those from the 1980s/1990s – there’s no reason Ryan Miller should look the same size as someone much taller and heavier than he is.

It’s difficult to project who these changes will affect most (if at all), and minor streamlining of the equipment shouldn’t be overly noticeable.

NHL Starting Goalies: Security Levels in 2016-17

Today’s topic will pertain to security levels between the pipes, so this could be a useful tool for those of you who compete in fantasy hockey. After all, if you’re only selecting one or two goalies, you need a guy who will play 60-plus games.

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We’ve separated NHL starting goalies into three categories:

First are those who are deemed safe and secure, and unlikely to lose their starter role.

Second are individuals ranked first on the depth chart, but competition exists within the organization that could threaten their position in the upcoming season.

Lastly, we have those teams with murky goaltending situations with no clear-cut starter.

You might consider avoiding these guys, and keeping a close eye on their performance as a potential free agent pickup if necessary.

Safe and Secure (only an injury could derail their season)

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Brian Elliott, Calgary Flames
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks
Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks
Jake Allen, St.Louis Blues
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs
Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

Competition Exists (could lose time in the crease to _ if outperformed)

Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes (Louis Domingue)
Robin Lehner, Buffalo Sabres (Linus Ullmark)
Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche (Calvin Pickard)
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets (Joonas Korpisalo/Anton Forsberg)
Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings (Jimmy Howard)
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers (James Reimer)
Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators (Andrew Hammond)

Murky Situations/Tandems or Duos

Eddie Lack/Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes
Kari Lehtonen/Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars
Thomas Greiss/Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders
Steve Mason/Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Murray/Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
Andrei Vasilevskiy/Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jacob Markstrom/Ryan Miller, Vancouver Canucks
Connor Hellebuyck/Ondrej Pavelec/Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg Jets

Next: 5 Players That Will Score More Goals in 2016-17

Of the murky situations listed above, some could have a solution before the season starts, while others may find an answer mid-season or prior to the expansion draft next summer.

Ideally, teams such as Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Winnipeg would like to have Murray, Vasilevskiy, and Hellebuyck as starter from day one, but the market may dictate otherwise. Keep a close eye on these situations heading into your fantasy draft; any of the three would be considered safe and secure options if a trade can be found.