Top three NHL UFA goalies still available
In the last week, we’ve looked at the top unrestricted free-agent centers, wingers, and defenders still available ahead of the 2024-25 season.
While it’s not exactly Macho Man Randy Savage’s “Cream of the Crop,” there’s still an array of talented players who could be worth professional tryouts (PTOs) and, eventually, one-year deals (even if they have be two-way contracts).
Now it’s time for the keepers of the courageous creases (that’s something Joe Bowen once said before a game, describing goalies, and now I can’t un-hear it), and like the positional players, it’s slim pickings. Because the market is thin, we’re only going to do three goaltenders, all with NHL experience and all who could be at least reliable backups or, in today’s NHL, No. 3s.
With that in mind, here are three free-agent goaltenders who could provide value during the 2024-25 NHL season.
Kevin Lankinen
It goes without saying that Lankinen is the best available UFA netminder on the market. Or maybe I’m just saying that, and you’d disagree with me. That’s okay. We’re all wrong sometimes.
Last season, the 29-year-old Finnish goaltender went 17-11-6 with a .908 save percentage and 2.82 goals-against average in 24 appearances, including a .929 even-strength SV%. Heck, in five of his last six starts in 2023-24, he allowed just two goals or fewer.
It’s hard to fathom how someone with a combined .912 SV% in the past two seasons still doesn’t have a contract as of Aug. 15, but Lankinen likely went looking for a chance to compete for a starting role, and nothing was available. We’re now reaching a point where teams nearly have their organizational depth charts nearly set, and wherever he ends up, he’ll have to compete for even a No. 2 role.
That being said, with the number of teams regularly carrying three goalies on their rosters, plus the likelihood of an injury or a disappointing start to training camp for someone in the league, he’s going to find a spot. It’s just a matter of if he gets a chance to shine.
Antti Raanta
Having spent the last three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes as a backup netminder, Raanta carved out a reputation as a reliable backup goaltender who could provide spot duty in case it was needed.
However, 2023-24 was a step back for the Finnish goalie, posting a .872 SV% in 24 appearances, including an even-strength SV% under .900. In seven of those 24 games, he gave up four or more goals, hardly what you’d want from your backup.
But this is the NHL, and veteran goaltenders with at least some previous success are hard to come by. Besides, how many active netminders can say they have a career .915 SV% and 2.48 GAA through 11 seasons? At some point, name recognition goes a long way and earns you a contract, or at least a PTO. And like I mentioned with Lankinen, this is now a three-goalie league: someone will take a flyer on him.
Martin Jones
Credit where credit is due, the 34-year-old might have saved the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2023-24 campaign when Joseph Woll went down with injury and Ilya Samsonov was placed on waivers. At one point, Jones had a seven-game stretch where he went 5-2-0 with a .953 SV%, allowing just nine goals in that span.
Yes, we must chase that with his next 10 games resulting in a 3-5-1 record with an .863 SV% and 35 goals allowed. So, uh, ahem, not a great way to close out the season.
Jones won a Stanley Cup as a backup with the Los Angeles Kings, then took the San Jose Sharks to a Stanley Cup Final a few years later, so you can check off the experience box.
It’s hard to say what value he provides beyond a journeyman who gives you organizational depth. However, as I mentioned with Lankinen and Raanta, teams like to carry three goalies or at least have a bullet waiting in the AHL chamber. Whatever they choose, they’ll have someone with some pedigree ready to go immediately.