The 2024 NHL Entry-Draft is right around the corner, so with that it’s time to take a look at arguably the most interesting position at the draft, the goaltenders. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a goaltender get selected first overall and it’s not very often we see goalies selected in the first-round, however having a good goaltender is a necessity when building a Stanley Cup contender.
Inside The Rink’s 2024 NHL Draft Coverage
This year’s draft has a really unique crop of goaltenders. Some more physically mature, some with higher upside, making this final top 10 list was actually quite difficult. Even some of the names that didn’t crack this list are still quality goalies and it’ll be exciting to see how they develop. Some honourable mentions are Dawson Cowan (WHL), Landon Miller (OHL) & Kam Hendrickson (HIGH-MN).
However, it’s time to get started with the “Top 10 Goaltenders in the 2024 NHL-Entry Draft”.
10. G, Evan Gardner | Saskatoon
Evan Gardner is a 6’0” goaltender who is extremely good laterally and making saves down low, has fast reflexes to recover quickly, and has a good glove hand with solid rebound control.
This season with Saskatoon the 18-year-old had a 1.91 goals against average and a .927 save percentage through 30 games according to EliteProspects.com.
9. G, Lukas Matecha | Tri-City
Lukas Matecha is a 6’3” goaltender who moves really well using his strong skating ability, tracks pucks well, very athletic goaltender who also plays the puck with ease.
This season with the Tri-City Americans through 35 games Lukas had a 3.42 goals against average with a .901 save percentage according to EliteProspects.com.
8. G, Ryerson Leenders | Mississauga
Ryerson Leenders is a 6’0” goaltender who has extremely fast reflexes, great athleticism to make desperation saves, does well laterally, all while having good rebound control, and competes hard.
This season with the Steelheads, Ryerson had a 3.12 goals against average and a .909 save percentage through 46 games in the Ontario Hockey League. Leenders also featured in one game for Team Canada at the U18s.
7. G, Kim Saarinen | HPK U20
Kim Saarinen is a 6’4” goaltender who relies on a unique mix of athleticism and positioning mechanics to make saves, agile goaltender with fast reflexes that blend well with his size, plays deep in his net but tracks pucks well.
This season with HPK U20 Kim Saarinen had a 2.41 goals against average and a .917 save percentage through 23 games according to EliteProspects.com.
6. G, Nicholas Kempf | USNTDP
Nicholas Kempf is a 6’2” goaltender who is extremely agile, covers so much space down low, good skating ability, tracks pucks well and competes hard, not afraid to make athletic desperation saves when necessary.
This season with the USNTDP Juniors, Nicholas Kempf had a 3.88 goals against average and a .870 save percentage through 18 games in the USHL according to EliteProspects.com.
5. G, Pavel Moysevich | SKA St.Petersburg
Pavel Moysevich is a 6’5” goaltender who is very aggressive in his positioning, takes up a lot of space which blends well with athleticism to make saves, tracks pucks with ease and is not afraid to use his stick to cut down angles.
The 19-year-old goaltender had a 1.25 goals against average and a .942 save percentage through 13 games at the KHL level, according to EliteProspects.com.
4. G, Ilya Nabokov | Metallurg
Ilya Nabokov is a 6’1” goaltender who is extremely athletic and very good laterally, can absolutely make incredible desperation saves when necessary, tracks pucks well and has excellent puck distribution skills making him a real threat in transition.
The 21-year-old goaltender had a 2.15 goals against average and a .930 save percentage through 43 games with Metallurg at the KHL level, according to EliteProspects.com.
3. G, Carter George | Owen Sound
Carter Geroge is a 6’1” goaltender who relies heavily on his positioning, has excellent rebound control, plays bigger than he is using his positioning mechanics, covers the bottom of the net well, and has enough athleticism to make desperation saves.
Carter George had a 3.30 goals against average and a .907 save percentage through 56 games with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. The 18-year-old was also Team Canada’s starting goaltender at the U18 tournament where he had a 2.33 goals against average and a .915 save percentage in six appearances according to EliteProspects.com.
2. G, Eemil Vinni | JoKP
Eemil Vinni is a 6’2” goaltender who really knows his angles, is an impressive skater with good rebound control, strong laterally and can make desperation saves, plays at the top of his crease giving the shooter very little space, catches pucks with ease and competes hard.
This season with JoKP Eemil Vinni had a 2.72 goals against average and a .892 save percentage through 37 games according to EliteProspects.com.
- G, Mikhail Yegorov | Omaha
Mikhail Yegorov is a 6’5” goaltender who is very agile and quick for his size, covers the bottom of the net extremely well, has the tools but still extremely raw, with additional coaching and maturity will strive, absolutely has the potential to be an NHL starting goaltender.
This season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, the 18-year-old had a 3.86 goals against average and an .892 save percentage through 43 games according to EliteProspects.com.
With the NHL Entry-Draft set to begin this upcoming Friday, it’ll be exciting to see where these goalies get selected! Unlikely we see any go in the first-round, but it should be an exciting crop of goaltenders when we look back on the draft in a few years time.
Thanks for reading! For more hockey content follow me on Twitter/X @ITR_ANSELMO
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