The NHL has turned into a goalie carousel over the last several seasons in the modern cap era. This year should be no different.
One backstop in particular is already going to the top of several shopping lists around the league. Former Stanley Cup Champion, Braden Holtby.
NHL Rumors: Holtby tops the goalie market
Holtby, 32, signed a one-year contract worth $2 million after the final season of his two-year, $8.6 million deal was bought out by the Vancouver Canucks this past summer.
Holtby posted a 7-11-3 record with a 3.67 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 21 games last season but has been outstanding in Dallas. This season, he has a 4-4-1 record with a .927 SV% and a 2.30 GAA.
Holtby won the Vezina Trophy in 2016, the William M. Jennings Trophy the following year and backstopped the Capitals to their lone Stanley Cup title in franchise history in 2018. With Ben Bishop close to returning, the Stars will have three goalies and Holtby’s contract will be the easiest to move.
Some teams that may have interest in acquiring Holtby by the trade deadline include the Maple Leafs, Rangers, Oilers, and Avalanche.
Marc-Andre Fleury on the block?
Another goalie that could get traded (again) is the Blackhawks’ Marc-Andre Fleury. The 37 year-old had a rough start to the season, as did all the Hawks, but has come on of late. His numbers are respectable all things considered with a .913 SV% and a 2.90 GAA.
“Chicago has not made up their minds yet,” ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported. “If a trade proposal does come for Marc-Andre Fleury they are definitely open to listening to it..”
MAF is in the final year of a contract that pays $7M and has modified no-trade protection. He had to be convinced not to retire and report to Chicago, so this would be a complex deal with Fleury in complete control.
Other notable goalies up for grabs are the Blue Jackets Joonas Korpisalo, and the Rangers Alexandar Georgiev.
Patrick Roy next Habs GM?
Jeff Gorton was introduced to the Montreal media yesterday and was asked a gambit a questions. One extremely noteworthy comment from the new EVP of Hockey Ops was that head coach Dominque Ducharme’s job was safe this season.
As for the next GM, there was a lot of focus on legendary Canadiens goalie Patrick Roy.
“Since 1993, the team has been running in circles,” Roy said to Le Journal de Québec. “What do they have to lose by giving me the chance to see what I can do with this club? At the same time, I understand the situation. The club is owned by Geoff Molson and he’s the one pulling the strings. It’s his team and at the end of the day I might not be the guy for him. I accept that.”
via Sportsnet
“We’re gonna look at everybody that we think could be a fit,” Gorton directly responded to a question of Roy’s candidacy. “So, I’m not gonna rule anybody out, I’m not gonna say yes or no to anybody, but certainly Patrick Roy, I heard that he made that statement, I know he’s a passionate guy. I have obviously a lot of respect for somebody like that.”
Gorton looking for new ideas
In the end, Gorton seemed very open in bringing in someone new to the GM role knowing he can support them with his experience.
“We want to look at all the candidates and pick the very best based on what they have,” Gorton explained. “Maybe it’s a person that doesn’t have a ton of experience as a general manager but what else do they have that they could bring to the table? We’re going to look for somebody that’s maybe a little outside the box, that’s going to help us move forward and complement me.”
If that’s the case, I’ve already said the Tampa’s Mathieu Darche is the best candidate.
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