Todd Cordell
The Anaheim Ducks.
I think John Gibson is the best goalie in the NHL. Even accounting for last season, where Gibson faced 600 quality shots per night playing behind an Anaheim team that was shockingly bad under Randy Carlyle, he still sits tied for 4th among 41 goaltenders (4,000+ minutes) in 5v5 save percentage over the last three years.
His partner in crime, Ryan Miller, happens to be the one tying Gibson for 4th – ahead of names like Andrei Vasilevski, Frederik Andersen, Carey Price and Braden Holtby.
I could definitely see Anaheim playing above their 2019-20 expectations if they're a little better defensively and Gibson/Miller are healthy.
Vasilevskiy and Curtis McElhinney, who has quietly developed into one of the league's better backups through his mid 30s, would be my alternative choice as the league's best tandem.
James Tanner I think you've got to go with Tampa here. Vasilesvkiy is one of the best, possibly the best goalies in the NHL. He is only 25 but he currently has the 7th best all-time save percentage. Add in the fact that MacElhinney has some of the best overall stats for any goalie over the past three years, and I think this is a slam dunk.
Peter Tessier Whoever backs up John Gibson? This one is tricky as the value of a back-up cannot be overlooked as the strategy for starts, rest and opposition is becoming extremely important for coaches.
Gibson faced more rubber than the Trans Canada highway last year and with Miller and Stolarz as backups they are more than a tandem but he is basically the only reason the Ducks have a chance most nights. What seems to be absent from much of the NHL right now is backups in waiting who could be number one goalies soon. Had the Blues not had the arrival of Binnington what would their fate have been?
That being said I still think the Ducks have the best but that's all they have.
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