Fantasy: 3 elite NHL goalies starting to regress
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Remaining an elite player for an extended period of time in the NHL is certainly not easy, and for goaltenders the struggle can be even greater.
Heading into this season, there are several netminders who've long been ranked among the best in the league but appear to be losing their luster. Although they still have the ability to steal some games for their respective teams, these goalies have most certainly begun slipping down the depth charts.
Henrik Lundqvist
| Year | GP | W | L | OTL | G.A.A | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 57 | 31 | 20 | 4 | 2.74 | .910 | 2 |
The King no longer rules all seven kingdoms.
For years Lundqvist has been the pinnacle of consistency, but signs of regression have begun to appear in the New York Rangers puck-stopper's game.
This past season he posted the worst goals-against average and save percentage of his career, while tying a career low in shutouts.
He posted a .918 even-strength save percentage, good enough for 36th among all goaltenders with at least 25 games played. In fact, Lundqvist even saw his net stolen for a brief period of time in 2016-17 by Antti Raanta.
Lundqvist is 35 years old and will be 36 next March. He is certainly no slouch, but his best days are in the rearview mirror and it's hard to imagine him being much better this season.
Roberto Luongo
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
| Year | GP | W | L | OTL | G.A.A | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 40 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 2.68 | .915 | 1 |
Much like Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo's biggest detriment is likely his age.
This season the 38-year-old was hampered largely by injury which played a role in his diminished stats. Luongo posted a 2.68 GAA (his worst mark since 2006) and a .915 save percentage (his lowest total since 2010), while tallying just one shutout for only the third time in his career.
In fact, the Florida Panthers acquired James Reimer ahead of last season with the perception he might soon become the team's No. 1 in the near future.
Luongo is capable of having a bounce-back season, but don't expect a rebound of epic proportions.
Cory Schneider
| Year | GP | W | L | OTL | G.A.A | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 60 | 20 | 27 | 11 | 2.82 | .908 | 2 |
Cory Schneider should be in the midst of his best season in the NHL, but 2016-17 was anything but.
Schneider had an abysmal year by his standards, as the New Jersey Devils netminder posted the worst save percentage (.908) and GAA (2.82) of his career.
Schneider ranked 30th with a .920 save percentage at 5-on-5 in 2016-17 - a far cry from the two previous seasons that saw him rank ninth and sixth, respectively.
The Devils' defense corps hasn't improved from a season ago, so Schneider is not likely to get any more help this season.