Ten Goalies That Could Find New Homes In 2013-14
This could be known as the summer of goalie movement as there are a number of top-level goalies that could find new addresses either through trade or free agency. There are a lot of goalies available, but there might not be enough #1 jobs up for grabs to satisfy all of the available players.
Here are 10 netminders that could be on the move:
10. Sergei Bobrovsky
Apr 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) faces the Dallas Stars attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Stars 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Vezina Trophy winner is in negotiations to play in the KHL as well as return with the Blue Jackets. While many see the KHL option as a way to gain leverage he can’t get in the NHL because of the RFA status he is about to gain, the possibility exists that Columbus could be without its biggest reason for nearly making the playoffs this past season.
Mar 26, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) watches the puck go wide during the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at the Scottrade Center. The Oilers defeated the Blues 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Halak was not happy with his role in St. Louis this season, and with the emergence of Jake Allen and the stellar (if not inconsistent at times) play of Brian Elliott, there are three goalies in St. Louis that could fight for playing time. The Blues situation is reminiscent of what Ottawa went through in the first part of 2013.
Halak has one year left on a contract that pays him $4.5M.
8. Ryan Miller
Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) during the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The disastrous 2013 season for the Sabres has many wondering if Miller needs to move along for the Sabres to reach full potential and that Jhonas Enroth should be the new #1 in Buffalo.
Miller also has 1 year remaining on his contract with a salary of $6.5M
7. Ray Emery
Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery (30) makes a save during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago backup has returned to the conversation of potential starting goalies with his performance in 2013. He could be a cheaper alternative for a team up against the cap who might want to take a gamble on him rather than a more expensive alternative.
Emery is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent July 5th.
Apr 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom (32) during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Wild might be in the market for a new backstop with the potential UFA status of their veteran goalie. Backstrom has been good for the Wild, but unable to take the team deep in a playoff run. The fact that he has never really posted stellar stats and is now 35 combined with the fact that there are a number of goalies available could lead to a backup role and a reduced salary.
Apr 23, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Anton Khudobin (35) makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
With the likelihood of gaining the starting spot in Boston any time soon, Khudobin is in much the same situation as Emery. Khudobin has career numbers that rival Rask, albeit in a reduced workload, but he could also be a good option for a team looking for a cheaper alternative who has something to prove, and he is three years younger than Emery.
Khudobin is set to become a UFA on July 5th.
May 3, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save against a shot by the San Jose Sharks during the second period of game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Either through trade or a massive buyout, Roberto Luongo cannot be in Vancouver at the start of training camp or Mike Gillis might not have a job very long. The distraction created with Luongo and Cory Schneider in the playoffs was unbearable, and with a new factor- John Tortorella – in the fold that could make for a very volatile (but interesting) dynamic if it were to happen again.
May 11, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) leaves the ice following the overtime period of game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Penguins won the game 4-3 and won the series 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nabokov didn’t really want to go to the Islanders in the first place, and it remains to be seen if they can get the 37 year old signed to a new contract. He was very good for the Islanders this season, and there might not be another landing spot for him, so the chances of a move are unlikely.
He will become an unrestricted free agent July 5th if he doensn’t re-sign in New York.
Apr 27 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers Pgoalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) during warm ups prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
While the Flyers have said they will not buy him out, there might not be an option with the cap trouble Philadelphia finds itself in. Cutting Bryzgalov loose and starting over with a younger, cheaper option might be the best course of action in the City of Brotherly love. It would be tough to find a taker for the remaining 7 years of his contract.
1. Mike Smith
Apr. 26, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) makes a save during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
With ownership questions still not resolved in Phoenix and the uncertainty of where they will be playing in the 2013-14 season and beyond, it might be time for the highly sought after Smith to find a new, more stable home. He will be in line for a big payday, and could be the first domino to fall as the game of goaltender musical chairs, where undoubtedly someone will be left without a chair that they are looking for.