Examining the Best Maple Leafs Goalie Since 1990
Goalies are fascinating � their gameplay, mindset, and what defines their excellence � and it's interesting to explore the qualities that make an NHL goalie great. It's possible to do so by identifying the attributes of successful NHL goalies and apply them to the Maple Leafs' goalies throughout history.
We evaluated Maple Leafs' goalies since 1990 by applying the established criteria, intending to determine the best among them. 1990 is a good starting point for three reasons: (1) to keep the study manageable, given the Maple Leafs' century-long history and numerous goalies, (2) acknowledging the significant changes in hockey over the years, and (3) our familiarity with recent hockey compared to earlier eras.
Key Characteristics of Good NHL Goalies
Let's start by identifying the key attributes of good NHL goalies:
Puck-Stopping Ability: A fundamental trait of good NHL goalies is their capacity to stop the puck. This requires quick reflexes, reaction times, tracking the puck, and anticipating its trajectory.
Mental Toughness: Good NHL goalies need to remain calm and focused under pressure, handling setbacks, mistakes, and uncontrollable events.
Physical Attributes: Having the necessary physical attributes, such as size, quickness, and agility, contributes to a goalie's success.
On-Ice Communication: Good goalies need to communicate effectively with their teammates, particularly defensemen, to provide clear guidance.
Applying the Criteria: The Best Maple Leafs' Goalie Since 1990
Based on these criteria, who have been the top Maple Leafs' goalies since 1990? We narrowed down the list to four goalies: Curtis Joseph, Felix Potvin, Ed Belfour, and Frederik Andersen. Each goalie had their own strengths and weaknesses, and their performances varied from season to season.
After assessing the four goalies in terms of their puck-stopping ability, mental toughness, physical attributes, and communication skills, Frederik Andersen consistently demonstrated high performance. He ranked first in three out of four categories and third in the remaining one.
Andersen had an impressive save percentage during his tenure with the Maple Leafs and was the most physically gifted of their goalies. While occasionally allowing soft goals, he was known for his mental toughness and ability to perform in high-stress situations. Moreover, he was an effective communicator on the ice.
Even though this is a subjective evaluation, and others may disagree, based on our research, we believe Frederik Andersen was the best Maple Leafs' goalie since 1990.
As seen on The Hockey Writers - Ranking the Maple Leafs Best Goalies Since 1990
| POLL | ||
Who do you think has been the Leafs' best goalie since 1990? | ||
| Ed Belfour | 76 | 17.4 % |
| Freddy Andersen | 49 | 11.2 % |
| Curtis Joseph | 211 | 48.4 % |
| Felix Potvin | 100 | 22.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
