Stopping Pucks & Wearing Masks: These Are the Best Goalies in the NHL

The 2024/2025 NHL season showcased an impressive array of goaltending performances that often determined the success of their teams. From Anthony Stolarz, who stopped an outstanding 92.6% of shots, to Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, the NHL EDGE charts clearly highlight the most reliable and consistent netminders throughout the season. These statistics provide insight into goalie performance not only during the regular season but also in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs. 

Looking at the longer-term perspective from 2021 to 2025, we can see which goaltenders have maintained elite performance across multiple seasons. Names like Linus Ullmark and Igor Shesterkin, demonstrate that stability and consistency in goal are critical for a team’s success in the NHL. At the same time, recent drafts and emerging talents, including Pyotr Andreyanov and Yaroslav Askarov, indicate that the league will continue to see a new generation of star goalies making their mark.

Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings/source: GI

Top NHL Goaltenders 2024/2025 by Save % (EDGE)

This chart presents the top 10 NHL goaltenders from the 2024/2025 season based on Save Percentage as tracked by NHL EDGE. Save Percentage (.SV%) is a key metric that measures a goaltender's ability to stop shots relative to the total shots faced. Anthony Stolarz leads the list at .926, demonstrating remarkable consistency and efficiency in net. Notably, several elite goalies such as Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper, and Andrei Vasilevskiy are clustered closely behind, highlighting the tight competition at the top of the league. This ranking provides a snapshot of which goaltenders had the most reliable performance in preventing goals over the season.

Rank	Player	Team	Save %
1	Anthony Stolarz	TOR	.926
2	Connor Hellebuyck	WPG	.925
3	Darcy Kuemper	LAK	.922
4	Andrei Vasilevskiy	TBL	.921
5	Casey DeSmith	PIT	.915
6	Filip Gustavsson	OTT	.914
7	John Gibson	ANA	.912
8	Mackenzie Blackwood	NJD	.912
9	Logan Thompson	VGK	.910
10	Linus Ullmark	BUF	.910

 

Anthony Stolarz, Toronto Maple Leafs/source: Reuters

Top Goaltenders Playoffs 2024/2025 by Save % (EDGE)

The chart below shows the top-performing goaltenders during the 2024/2025 NHL Playoffs based on Save Percentage. Playoff performance is often a true test of a goaltender’s skill under pressure, and Logan Thompson led the pack with a .917 save percentage. Elite performers like Sergei Bobrovsky, Filip Gustavsson, and Jacob Markström also demonstrated remarkable consistency, underscoring their critical roles in their teams’ postseason success. The tighter margins between save percentages in the playoffs emphasize how even small differences can impact playoff outcomes.

Rank	Player	Team	Save %
1	Logan Thompson	WSH	.917
2	Sergei Bobrovsky	FLA	.914
3	Filip Gustavsson	OTT	.914
4	Jacob Markstrom	CGY	.911
5	Frederik Andersen	CAR	.907
6	Jake Oettinger	DAL	.905
7	Jordan Binnington	STL	.901
8	Anthony Stolarz	TOR	.901
9	Mackenzie Blackwood	NJD	.892
10	Stuart Skinner	BUF	.889

 

Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals/source: Yardbarker

TOP saves of the season/source: NHL.com

Top Goaltenders 2021–2025 by Average Save % (EDGE)

This chart shows the top goaltenders over the last five NHL seasons (2021–2025) based on their average Save Percentage as tracked by EDGE. By calculating the mean SV% across multiple seasons, we can identify which goalies have maintained the highest level of consistency and reliability over time. Players like Linus Ullmark, Anthony Stolarz, and Igor Shesterkin have demonstrated elite performance across multiple years, indicating their durability and ability to perform under varying team conditions. This long-term perspective highlights both emerging stars and established veterans who consistently impact their teams’ defensive success.

Rank	Player	Average Save %
1	Linus Ullmark	.921
2	Anthony Stolarz	.922
3	Igor Shesterkin	.923
4	Connor Hellebuyck	.923
5	Filip Gustavsson	.920
6	Ilya Sorokin	.923
7	Jake Oettinger	.919
8	Darcy Kuemper	.922
9	Juuse Saros	.918
10	Frederik Andersen	.914

 

Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators/source: Elite Prospects

Top NHL Goaltenders Over the Last 5 Seasons (2020–2025)

This chart presents (by QuantHockey) the top NHL goaltenders over the last five seasons (2020–2025) based on their average save percentage, wins, and shutouts. The data indicates that Connor Hellebuyck has been the most consistent and dominant goalie during this period, leading in both save percentage and wins. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin also demonstrate exceptional performance, consistently ranking among the top in all three categories. These statistics highlight the importance of goaltending in a team's success and the remarkable consistency of these players over multiple seasons.

Rank	Player	Team(s)	Average Save %	Average Wins	Average Shutouts
1	Connor Hellebuyck	WPG	.922	38	6
2	Andrei Vasilevskiy	TBL	.921	36	5
3	Igor Shesterkin	NYR	.920	34	4
4	Darcy Kuemper	ARI, COL, WSH, LAK	.919	30	4
5	Anthony Stolarz	ANA, FLA,TOR	.918	28	3

 

Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning/source: GI

Vezina Trophy Winners (2015–2025)

The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the NHL's best goaltender, as voted by the league's general managers. Over the past decade, several goaltenders have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances. Notably, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets secured the Vezina Trophy in both the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, showcasing his consistent excellence between the pipes.

Season	Winner	Team
2024–25	Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets
2023–24	Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets
2022–23	Linus Ullmark	Boston Bruins
2021–22	Igor Shesterkin	New York Rangers
2020–21	Marc-André Fleury	Vegas Golden Knights
2019–20	Connor Hellebuyck	Winnipeg Jets
2018–19	Andrei Vasilevskiy	Tampa Bay Lightning
2017–18	Pekka Rinne	Nashville Predators
2016–17	Sergei Bobrovsky	Columbus Blue Jackets
2015–16	Braden Holtby	Washington Capitals

Over the past decade, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning stands out as the only goaltender to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, achieving this honor in 2021. His exceptional performance and critical role in leading his team to the championship underscore the influence a top-tier goaltender can have during the postseason.

Marc-André Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights/source: VHN

Highest Drafted NHL Goalies (2016–2025)

This chart showcases some of the top goaltending talents selected in the NHL Entry Draft over the past decade. From Carter Hart making an impression with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016, to Jake Oettinger joining the Dallas Stars in 2017, and Spencer Knight being picked by the Florida Panthers in 2019, these goaltenders represent the future of their teams.

Recent draftees like Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings and Pyotr Andreyanov, selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2025, show that elite goalkeeping talent continues to be a priority for NHL clubs. Whether you're a fan, analyst, or collector, this overview provides a clear snapshot of the highest-drafted goaltenders and the teams betting on their potential.

Year	Goaltender	Round	Pick	Team
2025	Pyotr Andreyanov	1	20	Columbus Blue Jackets
2024	Ilya Nabokov	2	38	Colorado Avalanche
2023	Adam Gajan	2	35	Chicago Blackhawks
2022	Topias Leinonen	2	41	Buffalo Sabres
2021	Sebastian Cossa	1	15	Detroit Red Wings
2020	Yaroslav Askarov	1	11	Nashville Predators
2019	Spencer Knight	1	13	Florida Panthers
2018	Olof Lindbom	2	39	New York Rangers
2017	Jake Oettinger	1	26	Dallas Stars
2016	Carter Hart	2	48	Philadelphia Flyers

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Adam Gajan, Chicago Blackhawks/source: NHL.com

Trends & Future: Big, High and Russian?

In recent years, the NHL has seen a noticeable trend toward taller goaltenders, with many teams favoring players who stand 6'3" and above. This shift is evident in the 2025 NHL Draft, where the average height of drafted goalies was approximately 6'3", with some prospects reaching up to 6'8". The rationale behind this preference is that taller goalies can cover more of the net, potentially reducing scoring opportunities for opponents.

Simultaneously, Russian goaltenders have been making significant strides in the NHL. The 2025 draft class featured several Russian netminders, including Pyotr Andreyanov and Semyon Frolov, both of whom were selected in the early rounds. This resurgence is reminiscent of the early 2000s when Russian goalies like Evgeni Nabokov and Nikolai Khabibulin were prominent in the league.

Yaroslav Askarov, San Jose Sharks/source: SHD

Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 NHL season, several young goaltenders are poised to make a significant impact:

• Yaroslav Askarov (San Jose Sharks): Ranked as the top goalie prospect, Askarov is expected to transition to a full-time NHL role this season.

• Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild): Another highly regarded prospect, Wallstedt is anticipated to challenge for a starting position, bringing stability to the Wild's crease.

• Leevi Meriläinen (Ottawa Senators): Having shown promise in previous seasons, Meriläinen is expected to compete for a more prominent role with the Senators.

• Jet Greaves (Columbus Blue Jackets): After a strong performance in the AHL, Greaves is set to become the Blue Jackets' full-time goaltender, aiming to solidify the team's netminding situation .

Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild/source: NHL.com

These emerging talents, combined with the league's evolving preferences for taller and more technically sound goaltenders, suggest an exciting future for NHL netminding.