The (Backup) Goalie Carousel 2025 Edition

[gvitaly]

There's a decent chance Vladar tests free agency in the off-season, despite there being a mutual interest to bring him back. I thought it would be a fun exercise to see what free agents are out there, and which teams have openings.

Available Free Agent Goalies

Player    Age     Cap-hit   GAE/60    GP    W     Sv%     GAA
Allen     34      $3.85M     0.635    31    13    .908    2.66
Reimer    37      $1.00M     0.352    24    10    .897    3.03
--- Average backups
Lyon      32      $0.90M     0.092    30    14    .896    2.81
Forsberg  32      $2.75M     0.079    30    11    .901    2.72
Vladar    27      $2.20M     0.030    29    11    .895    2.86
Samsonov  28      $1.80M     0.021    29    16    .890    2.82
--- Will do in a pinch
Domingue  33      $0.78M    -0.100    1     1     .926    2.00
Tokarski  35      $0.78M    -0.218    6     4     .902    2.18
Vanecek   29      $3.40M    -0.366    24    3     .886    3.57
Rittich   32      $1.00M    -0.368    34    16    .887    2.84
--- On the way out
Georgiev  29      $3.40M    -0.402    49    15    .874    3.69
Husso     30      $4.75M    -0.460    13    2     .884    3.47
Martin    29      $0.78M    -1.226    9     3     .846    3.89
Murray    30      $0.88M    -1.315    2     1     .879    3.54
--- AHL
Dipietro  25      $0.78M     AHL      40    26    .927    2.05

There seems to be two backups that are ahead of the rest - Allen in particular, and then maybe aging Reimer. The group of Vladar, Lyon, Foresberg, and Samsonov seems to make the most sense for the Flames. Then there's a group that had pretty lacklustre seasons in Vanecek and Rittich, with a couple of 3rd string goalies that performed well in Domingue, and Tokarski. An interesting option is Dipietro who had a great season in the AHL, but hasn't played any NHL games last season. All-in-all, that gives the Flames about 6–7 options to fill the spot.

Goalie Vacancies

Team    Stater      sv%   |  Backup     sv%   |  3rd        sv%
ANA     Dostal*     .903  |  Gibson     .912  |     
BOS     Swayman     .892  |  Korpisalo  .893  |
BUF     Ukko-Pekka  .887  |                   |  Levi*        .872|.919AHL
CAR     Kochetkov   .898  |  Andersen   .899  |   
CBJ     Merzlikins  .892  |  Greaves    .938  |  Tarasov*     .881|.908AHL
CGY     Wolf        .910  |                   |
CHI     Knight^     .902  |  Soderblom* .898  |  Brossoit     LTIR
                          |                   |  Commesso     .846|.911AHL
COL     Blackwood   .912  |  Wedgewood  .908  |  Miner        .879|.918AHL
DAL     Oettinger   .909  |  DeSmith    .915  |
DET     Talbot^     .901  |  Mrazek     .891  |  Cossa`       .857|.911AHL
EDM     Skinner^    .896  |  Pickard    .900  |
FLA     Bobrovsky   .906  |                   |
LAK     Kuemper     .922  |                   |
MIN     Gustavsson  .914  |  Wallstedt^`.843  |
MTL     Montemb     .902  |  Dobes*`    .909  |  Primeau*     .836|.927AHL
NJD     Markstrom   .900  |                   |  Daws         .939|.893AHL
NSH     Saros       .896  |  Annunen^   .883  |  Murray           |.932AHL
NYI     Sorokin     .907  |  Varlamov   .889  |  
NYR     Shesterkin  .905  |  Quick      .893  |
OTT     Ullmark     .910  |  Forsberg   .901  |  Marilainen*` .925|.913AHL
PHI     Ersson^     .883  |  Fedotov    .880  |  
PIT     Nedeljkovic .894  |  Jarry      .893  |  Blomqvist`   .885|.914AHL
SEA     Daccord     .906  |  Grubauer   .875  |
SJS                       |  Askarov`   .896  |  Romanov      .877|.905AHL
STL     Binningten  .900  |  Hofer*     .904  |  Ellis            |.922AHL
TBL     Vasilevsky  .921  |  Johansson  .895  |
TOR     Stolarz     .926  |  Woll       .909  |  Hildeby      .878|.908AHL
UTA     Vejmelka    .904  |  Ingram     .882  |  
VAN     Lankinen    .902  |  Demko      .889  |  Silovs       .861|.908AHL
VGK     Hill        .906  |  Schmid^    .944  |
WPG     Hellebuyck  .925  |  Comrie     .914  |
WSH     Thompson    .910  |  Lindgren   .896  |

* RFA
^ Might want to upgrade
` Top goalie prospect < 20GP

There are 6 main openings are in BUF, CGY, FLA, LAK, NJD, and SJS. SJS is probably the main team that is looking for a tandem goalie to play with Askarov.

Teams that should consider upgrading their goalie situation in the offseason: EDM, DET, NSH, PHI, and maybe CHI and PIT.

There are a couple of openings that I expect to be filled in by a young up-and-coming goalie, like Wallstedt, in MIN who signed a $2M contract, or by their 3rd goalie such as Levi in BUF, Daws in NJD, or Schmid in VGK.

Finally, there are a couple of interesting situations where a goalie might need a spot like Marilainen in OTT, making Foresberg available. Also, Brossiot might return in CHI, which could make Soderblom available.

So which goalie do you think ends up with which team, and for how much?

[Icon]

I think Edmonton trades for Gibson
Forsberg to ANA to backup Dostal
Merilainen splits starts with Ullmark
Vladar goes to SJ to tandem with Askarov
Flames sign Samsonov
Sabres sign Vanecek
LA signs Lyon
FLA signs Allen

[Toonage]

Jake Allen, you are a Calgary Flame

Can't recall which show I heard it on (Flames Talk?) but apparently Vladar and Markstrom were good buddies during their time here and the Devils may be a landing spot for Vladar. Why not just swap the backups? (not an actual trade, I get that)

[dustygoon]

Jeez. Now that i see that list, I really like Vladar.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think I’d rather keep Vladar given the list. I’d even overpay for him to hang around another 2-3 years while we have the space. Maybe loyalty would allow him to sign a discount down the road.

Rittich screams backup for Florida. He and Tkachuk were buddies here.

[Kipper_3434]

Don't hate the idea of Vladar coming back and playing 25-30 games while the team continues to rebuild. However if they want to compete, they likely need on upgrade on what he brought last 3 seasons.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

There's a decent chance Vladar tests free agency in the off-season, despite there being a mutual interest to bring him back. I thought it would be a fun exercise to see what free agents are out there, and which teams have openings.

I don't find any exercise fun.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Don't hate the idea of Vladar coming back and playing 25-30 games while the team continues to rebuild. However if they want to compete, they likely need on upgrade on what he brought last 3 seasons.

I have the memory of a gold... something... but wasn't Vladar very good in the 2nd half of this season? He had some surgery or procedure done last summer and we all expected him to be much improved. It took him time to get into his groove but I recall most of us being happy and impressed with how well he was doing in the latter part of this past season.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Jake Allen, you are a Calgary Flame

Can't recall which show I heard it on (Flames Talk?) but apparently Vladar and Markstrom were good buddies during their time here and the Devils may be a landing spot for Vladar. Why not just swap the backups? (not an actual trade, I get that)

There is precedent when the Flames and Oilers swapped their starters. Smith and Talbot (kinda... I do remember Talbot being traded away at the deadline before coming a UFA but he only played like 3 or 4 games for the Flyers. He's barely a memory in Philadelphia.).

[Paulie Walnuts]

Don't mind Vladar coming back, he grew on me throughout the season.

This team has had ####ty luck with backups and he has proven that the team likes and plays hard in front of him. That is important. Plus he has a good relationship with Wolf.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Don't hate the idea of Vladar coming back and playing 25-30 games while the team continues to rebuild. However if they want to compete, they likely need on upgrade on what he brought last 3 seasons.

Vladar is one of the better backup goalies in the league IMO. I don't see who would be much of an upgrade on him. And I think Wolf will get more starts this season than last.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Vladar is a beauty and he ain’t going anywhere.

[HitterD]

Originally Posted by Buff

I have the memory of a gold... something... but wasn't Vladar very good in the 2nd half of this season? He had some surgery or procedure done last summer and we all expected him to be much improved. It took him time to get into his groove but I recall most of us being happy and impressed with how well he was doing in the latter part of this past season.

To your point, Vladar was on a 6 game losing streak ending January 26. From that point on, Vladar had 8 starts to end the season, (i've omitted the game against the Leafs where he cam in in relief). 6-1-1. Sub .900 save percentage 2 of the games and was excellent in the wins and the FLA loss. He was a huge reason why the Flames finished the way that they did. Stats below in reverse order (end of season first)

CGY @ LAK - W - .968

CGY @ COL - W - .933

CGY @ NYI - W - .897

CGY @ NYR - W - .923

CGY @ DAL - OTL - .889

CGY @ FLA - L - .929

CGY @ WSH - W - .963

CGY @ SEA - W - .935

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am assuming if Vladar walks, Cooley gets promoted. I do, however, think that Vladar would be a great re-sign, but I think he walks. As posted above, NJ makes a lot of sense especially as he will get a shot to compete for the starter's role as Markstrom is aging. San Jose was supposed to be his landing spot, but Askarov is looked upon to be the future #1 there - though not as tested as Wolf. Will be interesting to see where he ends up landing.


Cooley may be a risk given that Wolf is only establishing himself, but the organization seemed to really like him, right? That's my guess.

[robertsfanatic]

first choice is Vladar returns but if not then I would like Lyon.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am assuming if Vladar walks, Cooley gets promoted. I do, however, think that Vladar would be a great re-sign, but I think he walks. As posted above, NJ makes a lot of sense especially as he will get a shot to compete for the starter's role as Markstrom is aging. San Jose was supposed to be his landing spot, but Askarov is looked upon to be the future #1 there - though not as tested as Wolf. Will be interesting to see where he ends up landing.


Cooley may be a risk given that Wolf is only establishing himself, but the organization seemed to really like him, right? That's my guess.

Cooley looked really shaky in the AHL after his injury. He was leading the AHL with a .932sv% in 24 games until his injury. After and including the injury game he posted an .847sv% in 22 games.

I don't think the Flames can go into the season with Cooley as the number 2, unless they plan on tanking this year.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Jake Allen, you are a Calgary Flame

Can't recall which show I heard it on (Flames Talk?) but apparently Vladar and Markstrom were good buddies during their time here and the Devils may be a landing spot for Vladar. Why not just swap the backups? (not an actual trade, I get that)

Will you be fine paying the backup $4M for the next couple of years? I think SJ gives Allen that much.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Cooley looked really shaky in the AHL after his injury. He was leading the AHL with a .932sv% in 24 games until his injury. After and including the injury game he posted an .847sv% in 22 games.

I don't think the Flames can go into the season with Cooley as the number 2, unless they plan on tanking this year.

The team was also very bad in front of him when he returned. I think Cooley is fine as a backup. We are not winning the Cup next year anyhow and you might as well get a decent look at him at the NHL level.

[dissentowner]

I do believe Vladar is testing free agency this year however I have heard that unless he finds a place where he can have a legit opportunity at being the starter his preference is to come back here on a short term deal. I think that will happen and we will see him back here for two more years.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

The team was also very bad in front of him when he returned. I think Cooley is fine as a backup. We are not winning the Cup next year anyhow and you might as well get a decent look at him at the NHL level.

Fair point, but I don't think that's a risk Conroy is going to take if he is big game hunting in the offseason. Personally, I'm more than fine with tanking and taking the risk.