NHL Network released their list of top 10 goaltenders over the weekend and Devan Dubnyk was ranked as one of the league’s best.
Dubnyk checked in at No. 5 on the countdown – and was the highest ranked goalie in the Western Conference.
The rankings were based on player performance over the past several seasons but with a stronger emphasis on the 2016-17 season.
Dubnyk finished ahead of two-time Stanley Cup Winner Jonathan Quick and such veterans as Henrik Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne.
Does he deserve it?
If you’re looking at the raw numbers, there’s no doubt Dubnyk belongs in the conversation as a top-five goalie. Since being acquired by Minnesota in January of 2015, Dubnyk has posted a record of 99-54-13 with a GAA of 2.17 and a SV% of .924. He’s also been selected to the All-Star Game in each of the last three seasons.
Why he doesn’t deserve it
The knock on Dubnyk has been a lack of playoff success – having won just seven of 21 starts in the postseason. Not all of that can be blamed on the goalie but at the end of the day, your goaltender has to steal you a few when the games matter most and he has yet to show that.
Dubnyk is signed through the 2021 season and there’s currently 20 other goaltenders in the NHL who make more money than Dubnyk.
