greatest NHL goalies

All the great recollections on the Pilote/Magnuson thread make me wonder- who's the greatest NHL goalie of the modern era, in your opinion? Lists are welcome.

My own opinion is very uninformed, but based on what I've read, I'd guess Sawchuck. Though if I were a coach and had one game to win and could choose any goalie for that single game, I think I'd take Dryden.

What do you think?

 

Marty Brodeur.

 

Patrick Roy had all the numbers and gifts that Brodeur has, but he also had an aura, too. St. Patrick of Montreal was a pretty special confluence of time and place.

 

I have irrational hatred in my heart for Roy. Couldn't name him.

 

Cesare Maniago.














OK, I'll be back later.

 

Pete Lo Presti

Oh, you mean ability, not wackiness of name. Never mind

 

Ken Dryden.

 

Son of Sam LoPresti, holder of what NHL record?

Three Minnesota born goalies mentioned in one day on SportsJournalists.com? End of Days.

 

This is like the Gretzky/Lemieux/Orr debate.

I'd say Roy and Brodeur are 1a and 1b although Roy has had more influence in the position in the last twenty or so years.

As I mentioned on the other thread, Plante was my favourite goalie growing up because he played the way he wanted. He roamed, he stopped shootarounds and of course was the first goalie to wear a mask.

 

Just for you, Dickens...

 

Just for fodder, here are the goalies in The Hockey News Top 100 NHL Players list. The list was published in 1998, so bear that in mind...Brodeur is not on the list for that reason, presumably. JR, looks like THN shares your high opinion of Hall.

9. Sawchuk
13. Plante
16. Hall
22. Roy
26. Dryden
60. Broda
63. Parent
67. Brimsek
70. Fuhr
75. Vezina
76. Gardiner
77. Benedict
79. Esposito
80. B. Smith
84. Chabot
87. Bower
95. Hasek

 

Even if it took a fucking Red Wing to do it, bless you, Caped Crusader.