"The success of NHL teams this season will depend on goalies more than ever. It's no secret that contending clubs have always relied on high-end netminders to carry them. There have been a few exceptions in recent history where top-flight goalies have not backstopped a Stanley Cup contender. But this season, goalies will be more important than ever. The condensed schedule resulting from the Olympic break in February calls for a grueling schedule. There will be plenty of back-to-backs and three-games-in-four-nights."
"That situation promises to churn through goalies like no tomorrow. Teams will not be able to afford riding their starters. They'll need at least a decent goalie tandem to carry them. But judging from experience, a tandem won't be enough. Most teams will need three goalies to get through the season. That's why some teams have stocked up on NHL-level goalies."
Goalies will be critical this NHL season because a condensed schedule around the Olympic break creates frequent back-to-backs, three-games-in-four-nights, and heavy travel stretches. The intensified schedule will churn through goalies and make it impossible for many teams to rely solely on a starter. Most teams will require three NHL-capable netminders rather than just a tandem. Some clubs have proactively stocked NHL-level goalies to handle the strain. The goalie market has been thin, with few major trades, increasing the value of existing depth and prompting teams to hold onto third-stringers amid injury risk.
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