Goalies are the kings of the NHL. Other players can afford to miss a shot, but goalies have to be nearly perfect. One mistake could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Having the right goalie on your favorite team can change the NHL odds! So which players are the best goalies of all-time?

1. Dominik Hasek

Hasek became a starting goalie at the age of 27. He was the first goalie to win the Hart Trophy in 35 years. He then won the trophy again — just one year later.

Only six goalies have ever won the Hart Trophy, and Hasek is the only goalie to have done it twice.

2. Jacques Plante

Plante is the goalie who won the Hart Trophy before Hasek in 1961. He was also the person responsible for popularizing goalie masks.

His style of play was based on positioning and cutting down the angles of his opponents. Plante changed the game for goalies, creating a whole new tactic for them to follow.

In 1978, Plante entered the Hall of Fame.

3. Patrick Roy

If we were considering the most influential goalie of recent years, then we would put Roy in our top-spot. He was one of the goaltenders who popularized the butterfly technique. This technique is when the goalie drops to their knees to stop a shot.

What is now considered commonplace was once a Roy-signature.

4. Martin Brodeur

Brodeur has been named a First Team All-Star three times, a Second Team All-Star four times and won the Vezina Trophy four times, too.

Brodeur is now an executive for the New Jersey Devils.

5. Glenn Hall

Hall was such an iconic figure in the NHL that he was nicknamed “Mr. Goalie.”

He was the best goalie of his time, being chosen as a First Time All-Star seven times between 1956 and 1969.

6. Terry Sawchuk

Sawchuck was an amazing player, but he struggled with injuries throughout his career. Based on pure talent, Sawchuk was possibly the best goalie to ever play in the NHL.

If only he could stay healthy…

7. Ken Dryden

Dryden is the only goalie to have won the Calder Trophy after he won the Conn Smythe Trophy.

He also won the Vezina Trophy five times, in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979.

8. Bill Durnan

Durnan’s career only lasted for seven years, but in that time, he became a legend. He notably could catch the puck with both hands.

Durnan was also the captain of his team — a feat that no other goalie has been able to accomplish since.

9. Clint Benedict

Benedict was the first-ever goalie to reach true “superstar status.”

He played for the Ottawa Senators from 1912-24 and the Montreal Maroons from 1924-30.

10. Tony Esposito

Esposito played 16 seasons in the NHL and was the younger brother of Phil Esposito.

The NHL legend died following a bout with pancreatic cancer in August. He was 78.

Summary

Each of these goalies is iconic in their own right. It was incredibly difficult to only write about 10 goalies, but after careful deliberation, we think these 10 players are very worthy of their spot on this list.

John Smark