If you’re good enough at the game, you can make any skater the highest scoring player in the league. But, as you don’t have control over the goaltender, you need to make sure you can rely on them to stop the puck when called upon. These young goalies may not have it in them to play 60 games just yet, but they’re your best bet of having a top-class goalie in a couple of seasons.
To make the cut, these young NHL 19 goaltenders had to have a minimum potential of three-and-a-half stars and be under the age of 23. From there, players are sorted by their current overall.
Juuse Saros (81 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 23Nationality: FinnishRole: HybridDrafted: Nashville Predators, 2013 (99)Height: 180cmWeight: 82kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 89, Speed 89, Breakaway 87
There is no doubt that Juuse Saros is one of the most eagerly anticipated young goalies in the NHL right now. Playing backup to compatriot Pekka Rinne is certainly helping his development, and in NHL 19, it might be much more than a season or two before he has attributes worthy of being a fully fledged starter.
Eric Comrie (80 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 23Nationality: CanadianRole: HybridDrafted: Winnipeg Jets, 2013 (59)Height: 183cmWeight: 79kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 88, Speed 88, Passing 86
Eric Comrie has developed into a trusty young goaltender but will find starts hard to come by behind Connor Hellebuyck and Laurent Brossoit – who aren’t too long in the tooth themselves. Comrie makes for a great trade target with strong potential to be your number one and serves as a decent backup for a couple of seasons.
Tristan Jarry (79 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 23Nationality: CanadianRole: HybridDrafted: Pittsburgh Penguins, 2013 (44)Height: 188cmWeight: 88kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Puck Playing Frequency 85, Agility 85, Speed 85
In a similar way to how Matt Murray usurped Marc-Andre Fleury, Tristan Jarry isn’t expected to be waiting in the wings for too long. Another full season as an NHL backup will do the young goalie a world of good, and in a season or two, he’ll be ready to take up the starter mantle – in real life and NHL 19.
Thatcher Demko (79 OVR, Elite med POT)
Age: 22Nationality: AmericanRole: HybridDrafted: Vancouver Canucks, 2014 (36)Height: 193cmWeight: 91kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Recover 85, Agility 85, Stick Low 85
With an overall of 79 and Elite potential, Thatcher Demko weighs in with the loftiest potential of all the young goaltenders who also boast a decent overall rating. His size coupled with his agility are also huge benefits in NHL 19, and he should develop into one of the best goalies in the game.
Alexandar Georgiev (78 OVR, Fringe Starter med POT)
Age: 22Nationality: RussianRole: HybridDrafted: UndraftedHeight: 183cmWeight: 80kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 85, Speed 85, Vision 84
The New York Rangers managed to snap up Alexandar Georgiev last summer after he impressed at their training camp. Then, in February, he started for the Rangers and made 38 saves in a 3-1 loss. His first win came a few weeks later, stopping 35 en route to a 3-2 victory. The young Russian shows a lot of promise and skill for someone who slipped through the draft and should make for a solid backup who can challenge for the starting role soon.
Alex Nedeljkovic (74 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 22Nationality: AmericanRole: HybridDrafted: Carolina Hurricanes, 2014 (37)Height: 183cmWeight: 90kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 84, Speed 84, Durability 83
A very athletic goaltender, Alex Nedeljkovic simply needs some game time in the minors before making the step up to being an NHL backup. After that move, the American could soon muscle his way to being a team’s number one.
Ville Husso (74 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 23Nationality: FinnishRole: HybridDrafted: St. Louis Blues, 2014 (94)Height: 191cmWeight: 93kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 84, Speed 84, Endurance 84
All the fundamentals are there for Ville Husso to develop into a strong starting goalie in the NHL. For now, his reflexes are a bit short to start him every game, but his frame and athletic ability give him enough to work with in a backup role if needed.
Vitek Vanecek (72 OVR, Fringe Starter med POT)
Age: 22Nationality: CzechRole: HybridDrafted: Washington Capitals, 2014 (39)Height: 183cmWeight: 82kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 83, Speed 83, Aggressiveness 82
With two stretches in the AHL, Vitek Vanecek is slowly developing into his NHL potential. In NHL 19, it may take a season or two before he can be a dependable backup or challenge for your starting role, but the Czech shot-stopper is certainly one to consider as a future goalie.
MacKenzie Blackwood (71 OVR, Fringe Starter med POT)
Age: 21Nationality: CanadianRole: HybridDrafted: New Jersey Devils, 2015 (42)Height: 193cmWeight: 101kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Agility 83, Speed 83, Puck Playing Frequency 83
As is the case with all of the younger prospect goalies, MacKenzie Blackwood’s reflexes aren’t quite what they need to be for him to get the nod in the NHL, but a season or two in the minors should see him develop well. He may also earn favor with NHL 19 players by the simple fact that he’s the biggest young goalie to make it onto this list.
Linus Söderström (71 OVR, Starter med POT)
Age: 22Nationality: SwedishRole: HybridDrafted: New York Islanders, 2014 (95)Height: 193cmWeight: 88kgHandedness: LeftBest Stats: Rebound Control 83, Glove High 83, Breakaway 82
Finally, a young NHL 19 goaltender whose overall rating isn’t simply padded by athletic ability. Linus Söderström is a big goaltender who boasts strong stats in reflexes and puck control, which could allow him time as a backup for a dominant NHL team. He’s expected to feature in the AHL for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this season but could be the answer to the Islanders’ goalie dilemmas further down the line.