The Athletic Hockey Show — NHL Goalie Tiers: Is Shesterkin or Hellebuyck No. 1?

Date: October 14, 2025
Hosts: Max Boltman & Jesse Granger

Overview

In this episode, Max Boltman and Jesse Granger break down "Goalie Tiers," Jesse’s annual ranking of the NHL’s top 38 goalies as evaluated by a panel of 11 expert goalie coaches and retired goaltenders. Inspired by Mike Sando’s NFL quarterback tiers, the discussion focuses on what separates the league’s elite netminders, the nuances in goaltender evaluation, and the strengths, weaknesses, and career trajectories of numerous top names. The episode features deep dives into the distinctions between top-tier and tandem netminders, playoff performance versus regular season reliability, and predictions for breakout stars.

How Goalie Tiers Are Compiled

[02:26–04:50]

• Jesse details the process: 11 panelists (current/former NHL goalie coaches, retired goalies) assess 38 NHL goalies, each graded from 1 (elite) to 5.
• Rankings are averaged and sorted into five tiers; panelists provide anonymous, candid feedback about playing style, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Key rationale: Only goalies and goalie coaches truly understand the position at an expert level.

Quote:
“There is a very specific trained eye set of people in the world, and there’s about 20 of them that know goalies better than anyone in the world.”
— Jesse Granger [03:30]

Tier 1: The Elite Four

[04:50–08:15]

• The elite tier includes Igor Shesterkin, Connor Hellebuyck, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Andrei Vasilevskiy.
• Only Shesterkin received unanimous "1" rankings two years running.
• Hellebuyck’s only weakness: playoff consistency.
  • "You are going to get the same thing out of him every night… Some coaches prefer the big game performer." — Jesse Granger [05:46]
• Shesterkin stands apart for his lack of flaws, high-danger save rate, and consistently elite playoff performances.
• Bobrovsky makes the top tier for his athleticism and ceiling, especially in the playoffs.

Notable Quote:
“When Bobrovsky is on, the game’s over—you lost…His ceiling…when Bobrovsky wakes up that day and is having a good day, you’ve lost the hockey game.”
— Jesse Granger [08:42]

Playoff “Bankability” and Reputation

[09:56–11:24]

• Discussion on Bobrovsky’s reputation: Past contract and early years in Florida clouded perceptions, but playoff success and recent consistency have rehabilitated his image.
  • "People still hold that over him…The pressure of that contract…he didn’t handle it well." — Jesse Granger [10:42]

Tier 2: High-Level Starters & Surprises

[11:24–16:36]

• Tier 2 includes Jake Oettinger, Ilya Sorokin, Jordan Binnington, Jeremy Swayman, Juuse Saros, and Dustin Wolf.

• Surprises: Binnington and Wolf are included for differing reasons:

  • Binnington’s ability to rise in big moments (especially Olympic/pre-Olympic motivation).
  • Wolf’s speed, reaction, and adaptability impress despite his size and lack of pro experience.
    • “Dustin Wolf plays hockey at one and a half speed. He looks like he’s in fast forward.”—Jesse Granger [12:27]

• Wolf challenges the North American stereotype of over-technical, under-athletic goalies.

  • “He certainly is [a counterpoint]. And it’s funny when you look at the other American goalies…they’re all technical…not the athletic, react-and-save type that Dustin Wolf is.”—Jesse Granger [16:09]

Notable Exclusions: Workload, Age, and “Tandem” Starters

[19:59–24:57]

• Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark (a recent Vezina winner) are lower than expected.
  • Workload is vital for coaches (“Goalie coaches truly believe…not every goalie can [carry the load].” — Jesse Granger [20:34]).
  • Markstrom: Age, reliance on athleticism, and streakiness lower his tier.
  • Ullmark: Classified as a strong tandem starter until he proves himself as a durable #1.

The “Tandem” Tier and the Challenge of Good Teams

[24:57–29:51]

• Aiden Hill (Vegas) is emblematic of strong tandem starters—questions linger about credit for playoff success behind a good team.
  • “He just hasn’t proven that he can be a workhorse…if he can do it again…I think maybe he’ll climb up these rankings.”—Jesse Granger [25:20]
• Discussion on how goalies behind great defenses (e.g., Marty Brodeur, Chris Osgood, Aiden Hill) are often undervalued due to “product of the system” arguments.
  • “Sometimes it can be harder to win 2-1…when you’re facing 18 shots a game, your margin for error is so small.”—Jesse Granger [27:47]

Tier 4: Unproven & “Tandem” Goalies—Spotlight on John Gibson

[32:42–36:23]

• John Gibson (Anaheim/Detroit): Once an elite starter, now a puzzle due to years behind a weak Ducks squad. Has he developed bad habits out of necessity?
  • “You start cheating the game in order to [survive]. The question is…can you just suddenly get out of those habits?” — Jesse Granger [33:16]
• The panel is divided; high variance possible for his Detroit tenure.

Notable Moment:
“He was probably the most puzzling goalie of the 38 that I polled these panelists about.” — Jesse Granger [35:34]

Breakout Picks: Goalies to Watch for a Tier Jump

[36:23–40:32]

• Lukas Dostal (Anaheim): Smart, patient, excellent reads, stellar against expected goals on a poor team. If Ducks improve defensively, could become a Vezina-caliber goalie.

  • “His reads are super, super impressive…I think Doe Stahl has that potential.” — Jesse Granger [40:19]

• Jet Greaves (Columbus): Undersized but built for the modern NHL; athletic, quick, reads the game well. Jesse predicts he’ll become Columbus’s #1 and a household name.

  • “By the end of the season, that number will be zero. Everyone who watches hockey will know Jet Greaves’ name.” — Jesse Granger [39:53]

• Both are currently ranked in lower tiers but could join the league’s best soon.

Memorable Quotes

• On Shesterkin: “He faced more high defense dangerous shots than any goalie in the league last year. And his stats are still exemplary…when Igor Shesterkin has played in the playoffs, he’s been the best goalie in the world.” — Jesse Granger [06:46]
• On the challenge of playing behind strong teams: “It is a skill to be able to win behind a good team…where the mistakes are magnified.” — Jesse Granger [28:41]
• On goalie evaluation: “When you watch him, for the people who know him, that is registering with them.” — Max Boltman [10:12]

Final Thoughts

• The top tier includes familiar names, but the nuances of panel evaluation—especially around playoff performance, consistency, and workload—produce some surprises.
• Several young, athletic goalies (Dostal, Wolf, Greaves) are bucking old stereotypes and may soon elevate the league’s goaltending landscape.
• Evaluating goalies is as much art as science, balancing results, potential, playing style, and situation—sometimes against conventional wisdom.

Recommended:

• Read the full Goalie Tiers article on The Athletic for all rankings, anonymous panel quotes, and expanded analysis.

End of summary