Top NHL Goalies in New Cities for the 2021-22 Season

*Goalie Stats based on last 3 years among active players 

Darcy Kuemper (Colorado Avalanche)

GP: 20th (111) 
GAA: 5th (2.35) 
SV%: 5th (.922) 
Wins: 22nd (53) 
Shutouts: 11th (9) 

Competition: Pavel Francouz

After the Colorado Avalanche failed to finalize a deal with Philipp Grubauer, Colorado traded a 2022 1st round pick, a 2024 conditional 3rd round pick and 22-year-old defenseman Conor Timmins to Arizona to acquire Darcy Kuemper from the Coyotes. With Pavel Francouz missing last season due to a lower-body injury, Kuemper is the clear number one goalie on a Colorado Avalanche team that is looking to break through to the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Marc-Andre Fleury (Chicago Blackhawks)

GP: 4th (146) 
GAA: 14th (2.47) 
SV%: 22nd (.914) 
Wins: 3rd (88) 
Shutouts: 1st (19) 

Competition: Kevin Lankinen 

After the speculation that Marc-Andre Fleury may not return to the NHL, the 36-year-old, 3 time Stanley Cup winner will take the ice ahead of Kevin Lankinen, providing veteran guidance to the 26-year-old backup. With the additions like Seth Jones and Tyler Johnson, Chicago could be in playoff contention if their stars stay healthy. 

Alex Nedeljkovic (Detroit Red Wings)

(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

GP: 65th (28) 
GAA: 1st (2.05) 
SV%: 2nd (.926) 
Wins: 61st (17) 
Shutouts: 42nd (3) 

Competition: Thomas Greiss 

Nedeljkovic had a tremendous breakout season with Carolina, posting a 15-5-3 record. He’ll likely get the majority of starts ahead of veteran Thomas Greiss, as long as he continues to produce as he has been. 

Frederik Andersen & Anti Raanta (Carolina Hurricanes)

Andersen:

GP: 9th (136) 
GAA: 38th (2.83) 
SV%: 34th (.911) 
Wins: 5th (78)
Shutouts: 34th (4)

Raanta:

GP: 49th (57) 
GAA: 39th (2.84) 
SV%: 20th (.915) 
Wins: 49th (25) 
Shutouts: 57th (2) 

With the exit of Nedeljkovic, Reimer, and Mrazek Carolina created a new duo to stand between the pipes in Andersen and Raanta. These two can both split time in a tandem and sufficiently defend the crease as the Hurricanes have relied on in past seasons. If both goalies stay healthy, the two could be a top 5 tandem in the NHL. 

Philipp Grubauer & Chris Driedger (Seattle Kraken)

(Photo: David Becker/Getty Images)

Grubauer:

GP: 17th (113) 
GAA: 7th (2.38) 
SV%: 12th (.918) 
Wins: 11th (66) 
Shutouts: 3rd (12) 

Driedger:

GP: 61st (35) 
GAA: 2nd (2.06) 
SV%: 1st (.931) 
Wins: 53rd (21)
Shutouts: 34th (4)

In a crazy turn of events, Seattle stole Philipp Grubauer from Colorado after taking Chris Driedger in the expansion draft. Now, with Grubauer projected to play about 65% of the schedule, Driedger will take on a slightly lighter workload than a two-goalie tandem. This should keep both goalies healthy and at the top of their game to easily become the best tandem in the NHL. 

David Rittich (Nashville Predators)

GP: 19th (112) 
GAA: 35th (2.81) 
SV%: 45th (.908) 
Wins: 18th (56)
Shutouts: 34th (4)

Competition: Juuse Saros

With Pekka Rinne retiring, the Preds looked to add a veteran back-up behind Juuse Saros, who had an impressive campaign of 21-11-1 last season with a career-best SV% of .927. Saros will be the clear starter, although if Rittich needs to step in he can likely produce well, being only two seasons removed from a 27-9-5 record.

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