With Stopko Gone, Who Steps Up?

[Devise 4,475]

While figuring out where teams shake out in the standings for the next season and who is better can always be a fun game, the biggest question to be answered in Season 65, which goalie finally takes the helm?

 

As a new generation of players, goalies included, emerged from the pool of a tough S50 era, offense began to explode. Until it peaked with Podrick Cast tying Scotty Campbells second place record for points, with 174 in Season 62. Season 63 and S64 saw individual breakout offense slow down to normal levels as the bulk of the VHL goalies started to catch up. But with an ungodly amount of TPE Brady Stopko was still the kingpin, and last season showed it.

 

Now, with no older players and no names overshadowing them the VHL has a healthy crop of competitive netminders with all finally trying to find their footing and make their mark. TP wise this is how things shake out as of this posting. (Keep in mind we are still early in the off-season and a lot of members do tend to dump big end of season/off-season)

 

Tristian Iseult - 758 (Vancouver)

Roger Sterling - 691 (Seattle)

Kallis Kriketers - 671 (Riga)

Ismond Kingfisher - 655 (New York)

Alexander Pepper - 647 (Helsinki)

Brick Wahl - 435 (Calgary)

Johnny Havenk Carison - 426 (FA)

Finn Davison - 370 (Davos)

JB Rift - 219 (Toronto)

 

 

Looking at things right now, the only thing for certain is that most teams have a goalie position locked up, pending moves. But in terms of actual strength/who is the most likely? If we go based on pure TPE numbers it should be Vancouvers Iseult. However his lead really isn't that high on any of the five competing teams tenders. Realistically Sterling, Kriketers, Kingfisher and Pepper could all step up and take the mantle this season. It honestly seems like a five goalie race, with Wahl likely having a decent sv% due to the higher shot volume CGY may end up facing. You could throw Davison into that same mix. 

 

Interestingly enough all the goalies who are poised to take the mantle fall on competing teams. Otherwise the only other question mark I have is, will goalies as a whole finally have a dominant season? While individual stats were not as a high of a ceiling last season, more players still put up points. Goalie stats were far down both in save percentage and goals against so much so that Stopkos .930 wasn't just tops it was like "what someone finally got to .930 again?" All the goalies on this list will have to buckle down and start trying to make the narrative defined by saves/tight games and not explosive offense. It'll be tough with depth/star power still so high among many of the teams, even non competing ones, when it comes to forwards. Right now, I honestly don't know if S65 is going to be the season we someone step up to take that spot. I think goalies may have to wait one more season until we find out. As always though, I'd welcome a surprise.