With the final of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off upon us, it got us thinking about one position in particular. For Team Canada and Team USA, the goaltending is an apparent mismatch, but what about all the countries represented in the NHL? Today we present you with our ranking, by country, of best depth at the goaltending position in the NHL. Find out if there are any surprises or if the list is exactly how you’d think it would be designed.
Ranking the Top Countries by NHL Goaltending Depth
Before we get into any kind of ranking, we must first set out some ground rules. Of course, there’s not a straightforward approach to this type of ranking, so that is why it is best if we explain our criteria. For starters, the goal was to focus on each countries’ NHL subset of goaltenders. For example, Russia definitely has some strong choices, but a lot of them would be playing in the KHL. Countries like Sweden and Finland would have similar situations. Now, that isn’t to say we are only considering goalies exclusively on their NHL careers, as we will factor NHL teams’ prospects and their future outlook into the equation as well. Next, we will also add some weight to the total body of work by goalies from each country. This will put quantity over quality to some degree, but this is the top league in the world, and we would be remiss if we didn’t factor that in. Finally, the most important differentiator will be elite-level talent. The who’s who, of who is in net. The best of the best, to decide who is the best in net. So, let’s get down to it.
Drum Roll, Please,…Okay, First Up, the Honourable Mentions
Since we can’t include all countries in a fair ranking, let’s mention some of the goalies from outside of the rest of our top-six countries. One of the main goalies from one of the other set of countries represents Denmark, Frederik Andersen. Now, over the last few seasons, he has struggled with injuries. However, let’s not forget, this is a goalie who once upon a time played three consecutive seasons of 60 or more games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Throughout his 12-year NHL career, he has a .916 SV% over 504 regular season games played. This is a country with a top NHL goaltender prospect as well in Mads Sogaard of the Ottawa Senators organization.
There are a few other players worth noting, but it seems like Latvia is the most prominent country. Led by the emerging Arturs Silovs and the veteran Elvis Merzlikins, they are probably the main countries when it comes to completing the list. So, it is time, now the ranking of the top-six countries, when it comes to best NHL goalkeepers.
6. Team Czechia
Czechia is firmly on this list, make no mistake. However, probably their only real Achilles Heel is their lack of depth. They do have the (at least near) elite variety if you consider Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Ducks. Case in point, Dostal is in some pretty elite company ranking fourth in the entire NHL in goals-saved-above-expected (GSAx) at 20.2. Dostal would also carry over to the other categories for our rankings, in terms of prospects for the country.
They have some depth too when you start to consider the likes of Karel Vejmelka and Dave Rittich. So overall, they are steady.
The one area they are mostly lacking is veteran experience at this time. Petr Mrazek holds as the exception. He’s played 421 regular season games and his record is 178-173-40. Furthermore, over the course of his career, he has posted a .906 SV% and a 2.84 GAA with 25 shutouts.
5. Team Finland
Let’s be honest, Finland’s status on this list begins and ends in Juuse Saros. That’s not a knock by any stretch. However, they are a deep all-around country when you consider talented up-and-comers, such as Ukko Pekka Luukkonen. Finland has a tradition of producing elite goaltenders. The Nashville Predators continue as a strong ambassador of that fact after Pekka Rinne passed on the torch.
When you start to think of goalies like Leevi Merilainen, who’s been awesome this season in Ottawa, they even possess a promising future. Finland is talented and it doesn’t look to be ending any time soon. Look for them to maintain their own standard of excellence at the goaltending position.
4. Team Canada
Okay, okay, don’t get your Beavertails twisted. Barring tonight’s outcome, despite the goaltending perhaps, Canada has proven to be the most elite on the planet. You know this by our B Team, which should be noted the Americans would also be very highly rated in that respect.
Canada is very strong in net. Of the top 48, if we filter on minimum 20 games played this season in the NHL, there are 13 Canadians. With all countries represented such as Germany (Philipp Grubauer) and Bulgaria (Alexandar Georgiev), it’s no wonder Canada still stands among the best.
One reason Canada is a strong overall ranking in this position is the sheer sample size. Studying their 27 goalies that are active, they have accumulated 5636 games played. The next closest country is the United States with 19 goalies totaling 3648 games. However, this edge Canada has over other nations, it doesn’t take advantage of effectively. If you switch to sort by GAA, Russia, and the USA pull ahead, mind you not significantly. Russia leads at 2.64 and Canada is at 2.79.
Searching for Why Canada Isn’t Ranking versus Countries in Goaltending Depth
The best way to describe Canada’s goaltending is a controversy. This is evidenced by the fan’s reaction to the selection of the squad ultimately. One legend of the sport that still represents Canada is Marc-Andre Fleury. He ranks tied with Roberto Luongo for second all-time in games played for a goaltender in NHL league history. At 40 years old, he is currently the oldest player in the NHL. In addition, his ability to win including three Stanley Cup championships, a Vezina, and a career that has spanned 21 seasons, he would’ve been an agreeable choice as a backup for the Team Canada. If the 2024-25 season is his last, it certainly was a memorable ride.
So we started from the top for Canada. Continuing that trend is Logan Thompson, or the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals. In 31 games, his 26.8 GSAx is second in the NHL this season.
Another bright spot for Canada is Jordan Binnington. He has a huge chip on his shoulder for Team Canada. Can he prove that he has matured? Will he prove to be a winner again tonight as he did behind an ultimate 2019 Stanley Cup St. Louis Blues defensive unit? Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko were huge contributors that season. What more motivation do you want? In 39 games played, Binner’s GSAx is 31st this year in the NHL on a mediocre Blues roster, although they’re not without their stars. Furthermore, he has a 2.89 GAA and a .897 SV%, good for a 15-19-4 record, with three shutouts this season for the Blues. His numbers are anything less than spectacular, and he will have to let his play dictate his status in helping Canada’s rank going forward.
One other potential bright spot for Canada is their prospects. Devon Levi and Sebastian Cossa are a couple of prospects currently ranked as high as anyone. Who knows where the future of Canadian goaltending progresses. In addition, we can assume their country’s developmental system will progress. This is Canada and hockey, they’re going to identify the problem, and fix it.
3. Team Sweden
Team Sweden is very complete as well. They have a recent Vezina Trophy award winner, a legendary history, and at least one very good prospect. One other interesting aspect is, among it all, they have depth. That is what makes Sweden strong internationally. Henrik Lundqvist carried the torch for a long time which culminated once upon a time into the 2006 Winter Olympic Gold Medal. The one goalie who comes to mind that has extended that legacy of longevity is Jacob Markstrom. He is a goalie who ranks sixth amongst active NHL goaltenders with 521 career games. Furthermore, the season he is currently having as a 35-year-old, is really cementing his standing as a great goalie in the NHL. Playing for the competitive New Jersey Devils, his 2.20 GAA, along with a .912 SV%, and three shutouts are a testament to that fact. Incredibly, he had nine shutouts only back in 2021-22 as a member of the Calgary Flames.
When it comes to discussing youth in the system, Jesper Wallstedt is a mainstay. The 6’3″ Swede has been lights out at times in the AHL with the Iowa Wild. If it weren’t for Filip Gustavsson being a star in his own right for Minnesota, Wallstedt would be close to filling the spot.
Therefore, led by their three goalies representing them at the 4 Nations tourney, Sweden is strong in goaltending. They will try what they can to stay where they are in the category, if not improve.
2. Team Russia
Well, we will point out Russia here is an amazing feat. Alex Ovechkin and Pavel Bure have every right to be upset about missing out on this year’s tournament.
Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Pyotr Kochetkov are just some examples why they round out our ranking criteria perfectly. The have depth, they have greatness or star power, and they have a pipeline. Who wouldn’t want to be here.
There may even be debate where they compare to the USA. However, as we see in the stat columns this year, the USA is probably better. Studying GSAx, four Americans are ahead of the top Russian, Andrei Vasilevskiy with a nice 13.7 mark. Yes, the Russians are very good, but the Americans do seem slightly better. Moreover, Russia has lots of prospects coming too. With the likes of Daniil Tarasov and Ivan Fedotov feeding that potential next wave, Russia is very complete.
The Elite of Our Ranking Countries’ Goaltending Depth
Well if the underlying theme of our topic was ultimately tonight’s game, Connor Hellebuyck, besides being the clear Team USA starter, a Vezina favourite right now, and so much more, is a big part of the reason Team USA wins this ranking. He’s an incredible 34-7-2 with six shutouts this year for the Winnipeg Jets. He leads the league in save percentage at .925 among goalies with more than 20 games played. Fellow countryman Anthony Stolarz is at .929, but with 18 games played on the season.
As we continue to go down through the list of American goalies, it just keeps impressing. Jake Oetter Oettinger is one of the most talented goaltenders on the planet, playing for a Stanley Cup contender in the Dallas Stars. He has a .911 SV% and a 9.3 GSAx on the season.
Of course, when it comes to prospects, bang, the Americans hit the nail on the head again. Dustin Wolf is as elite as they come. He is currently leading the charge for a Flames playoff appearance. More accurately, his numbers are outstanding. He is 19-11-3, with a 2.63 GAA and a .912 SV%.
They also have much longevity as referenced previously. John Gibson and Hellebuyck both rank in the top 100 all-time for games played by a goalie. The states are elite, with veteran presence, and the prospect pool to boot. No wonder they are number one in net. Can they be number one overall, stay tuned to tonight’s epic matchup to find out.
Main Photo Credits: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
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