NHL: The best goalie from each franchise’s history (Updated 2023)

Best NHL goalie from each franchise: Washington Capitals – Olaf Kolzig

When you get a goalie that spends well over a decade with your franchise and continues as a coach to further help your organization, that’s a whole other level of commitment. Such is the case with goalie Olaf Kolzig and his 14+ years with the Washington Capitals.

During his playing years in the 90s and 00s with the Capitals, Kolzig earned his starting role the old-school way by working hard and being a team player. He never complained about his minutes on ice or missed opportunities and just waited until his number was called to step in and take care of business.

Boy, did Kolzig take care of business as all he did was win hockey games and break many franchise records he still owns to this very day. Kolzig has the franchise records for most career wins at 301, more career shutouts at 35, and most career Stanley Cup playoffs shutouts at 6.

Unfortunately, Kolzig never won it all as a player but thanks to being the goaltending coach of the Capitals back in 2018, was finally able to earn a Stanley Cup championship. Sure, it might have been as a coach but there is no denying the impact Kolzig has had with the Capitals as a player, coach, and role model for well over a decade thanks to hard work and consistency.