Looking at some of the best goaltenders in the NHL

With some of the top goalies of the generation’s careers coming to an end or about to come to an end, it’s time for the next generation of goalies to really put their mark on the NHL. These six goalies have already made their mark on the league and will continue to become faces of the franchise, or will become the team’s No. 1 netminder in the near future.

Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars

Oettinger is still considered a young goalie while being 25 years old and he is the best one of this young group.

Through 11 games this season, Oettinger is 8-3 with a 2.39 goals-against average and has been one of the best goalies in the entire league.

A .914 save percentage backs up his dominance so far this season as one of the top goalies on one of the top teams.

Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes continue to produce young goalies and Kochetkov looks to be that next one. It looks like he is getting full No. 1 goalie treatment this season with 10 games played so far in net.

He has an 8-2 record with a 2.56 goals-against average. He continues to get wins for Carolina through his first 10 starts and looks to continue to be a goalie on the rise.

Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks

Dostal, despite being on a struggling Ducks team, has been stellar for the team.

Through 12 games this season, he has a 2.75 goals-against average. With a league that is trending towards more and more offense, a goals-against average under three is really impressive. If the numbers continue, he will be the franchise goalie the Ducks need and can build around.

Joel Blomqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins

Blomqvist, similar to Dostal, is on a struggling Penguins team but has held his own despite the defense not helping him out at all.

He’s not in a scenario where he will be playing often, if at all, now with two goalies on the team, as well. He has a 3.60 goals-against average with a save percentage of just over .900. The Penguins seem to have found the goalie of the future to build around during the inevitable rebuild.

Spencer Knight, Florida Panthers

Knight is a player who hasn’t quite found his footing in the NHL yet, but his history prior to the NHL makes everyone believe that he will figure it out.

The Darien, Connecticut, native may be figuring it out this season. This season he has a 2.85 goals-against average while only being 23 years old.

Yaroslav Askarov, San Jose Sharks

Askarov is one of the top overall prospects in the entire NHL, and he is on this list purely because of what he will become. He hasn’t played a lot of games in the NHL so far, but when he does, the expectation is that he will be a shutdown goalie.

Through two starts, Askarov has a 2.58 goals-against average with a .914 save percentage. The numbers are good but the expectation is for him to be a top-five goalie for a young team that has the chance to take the league by storm in a few years.

These goalies have a very good chance to become top goalies in the entire league in the next couple of years and Oettinger is just the start for these young netminders.

Andrew Deal is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu