30 best NHL goaltenders of all-time

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Feb 11, 2014; Sochi, RUSSIA; A detailed view of the back of the mask of USA goalie Ryan Miller (39) during an ice hockey training session for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Bolshoy Training Rink. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Who are the thirty best NHL goaltenders of all-time?

The NHL has seen some incredible goaltenders since its first season began in 1917. Goalies are often unappreciated and overlooked when one looks at the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are 77 defensemen in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. There are 82 centers and 82 wings enshrined in Toronto. It’s quite telling that there are only 37 goalies who have been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Perhaps it’s because goalies are typically viewed as being products of their NHL team. Perhaps it’s because hockey writers still haven’t found a fair way to determine just how good a goalie actually is. Perhaps it’s because they are the easiest player on the ice to blame for a loss. Whatever the reason is, goalies typically don’t receive the credit that they deserve in the NHL. Let’s honor them by looking at the top 30 goalies of all-time.

All quotes from this slideshow come from the book Hockey’s Greatest, written by the Sports Illustrated staff. It’s a wonderful book that has a ton of information about hockey’s greatest players ever. You can order it on Amazon here.

Next: #30: Chuck Rayner

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