Goaltending is always a precarious position in hockey. Even in today`s game, inconsistent goalie play can quickly derail a team`s aspirations.
This is particularly concerning for teams seeking to bolster their goaltending situation in the upcoming off-season.
The 2025 unrestricted free agent (UFA) goalie market has significantly diminished recently. Several notable goalies like Mackenzie Blackwood, Logan Thompson, Charlie Lindgren, and Karel Vejmelka have signed contract extensions with their current teams. Adin Hill, the 2023 Stanley Cup winner, also signed a six-year extension with Vegas on March 14, further thinning the available options.
Consequently, the UFA goalie market is looking quite weak.
However, the unpredictable nature of goaltending can be beneficial. Unexpected solutions can sometimes emerge.
Consider recent contract extensions. Colorado, recognizing their need for better goaltending to contend for the Cup, acquired both Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood mid-season. Since Blackwood`s arrival in December, the Avalanche have the 11th-best five-on-five save percentage in the NHL (.919).
Logan Thompson was acquired cheaply by Washington from Vegas last summer. Currently, only five goalies with at least 25 starts have a better save percentage than Thompson`s .917. Another example is Anthony Stolarz, a career backup who signed a modest two-year deal with Toronto and now boasts a .918 save percentage.
Darcy Kuemper, Thompson`s predecessor in Washington, was traded to Los Angeles for Pierre-Luc Dubois in a contract swap last summer. Since January 1st, Kuemper`s .924 save percentage is second only to Andrei Vasilevskiy`s .925.
The source of goaltending success can be surprising.
Despite these examples, there`s no denying the limited number of clear-cut goalie upgrades available for teams. Legendary goalies aren`t readily walking through the door.
But, is it possible to find a goalie who can deliver a .914 save percentage over 35 games? Perhaps.
With that in mind, let`s examine some potential UFA goalie options and a few possible trade candidates.
Potential UFAs
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen`s injury history is a factor, but his overall performance is strong. Among active goalies with at least 400 career games, Andersen`s .916 save percentage over 511 games ranks fourth in the NHL. He trails only Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Semyon Varlamov, who all have .917 save percentages.
Andersen has shown remarkable consistency throughout his career: .918 save percentage in 125 games with Anaheim, .914 in 268 games with Toronto, and .918 in 118 games with Carolina. He is currently on a hot streak, with a 5-1-0 record and a .939 save percentage in his last six appearances.
While he may not be a 55-game starter, especially as he approaches 36, Andersen is a proven puck-stopper.
Jake Allen, New Jersey Devils
Allen was traded to New Jersey before the 2024 trade deadline and initially needed time to adjust. However, since January 1st, his .924 save percentage is second in the NHL among goalies with at least 15 games played, only behind Vasilevskiy (.925). His goals saved above expected per 60 minutes this season leads the league at 0.805 among goalies with at least 20 games.
Turning 35 in August, Allen demonstrates he still has significant ability.
