This year's trade deadline offers one of the best crops of available goaltending talent in recent memory. At least one former Vezina Trophy winner is thought to be on the table, and a handful of more-than-adequate starting goalie options could be on the move.
In fact, the shuffling started during the weekend, with Cam Talbot moving east to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Anthony Stolarz. Let's take a turn through the remaining pack and identify how likely each goaltender is to move and where they could land when the NHL trade deadline strikes on Monday.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
Along with Artemi Panarin, Bobrovsky has long been discussed as a potential trade piece for Columbus as a pending free agent. The 30-year-old two-time Vezina winner hasn't necessarily been his best this season, holding just a .904 save percentage, 2.88 goals-against average and some subpar advanced numbers, but there's still plenty in the tank. There's also his no-move clause, although he's reportedly willing to waive it.
So where will he end up? Well, a wrench in the process is the Blue Jackets clinging to third place in the Metropolitan Division. Even though they might lose Bobrovsky in a few months for nothing, there's a good chance Columbus stands pat as it pursues the playoffs. But if he were to go anywhere, the Calgary Flames make the most sense. Currently leading the West, the Flames have it all together outside of the goal crease. And while David Rittich has somewhat surprisingly impressed as Mike Smith declines, Calgary would welcome someone with Bobrovsky's pedigree. A move for the veteran Russian would instantly push the Flames over the top.
Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Another free agent to be, Howard is probably entering his final weekend in the Motor City. He'll turn 35 at the end of March, but he's posting pretty strong numbers this season despite playing behind a Detroit team in the early stages of a complete rebuild. Only three teams are allowing more high-danger opportunities this season, according to Natural StatTrick. And yet, only Pekka Rinne has a better save percentage on those chances than Howard's .852 percentage for goalies with at least 40 games played.
The ideal situation for Howard might be the San Jose Sharks. Sure, they have Martin Jones as their go-to starter, but neither Jones nor Aaron Dell have a save percentage north of .900 this season. A team with as much talent as it has can't afford to waste a chance to win a Stanley Cup because of the goaltending. Howard would offer a 1A option to Jones and allow San Jose to put a bandage on its crease issues for the rest of the season.
Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche
Varlamov will be 31 after the season, and his numbers aren't fantastic. But he'd offer a veteran presence to a team in need. Although he might not be having the same level of success that he enjoyed a season ago, his .918 even-strength save percentage is higher than that of Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick, Marc-Andre Fleury and Bobrovsky. He could be a decent alternative option for the Flames if they can't land the Blue Jackets' No. 1.
An outside-of-the-box thought? Colorado could theoretically toy with swapping Varlamov with Jake Allen of the St. Louis Blues. Allen is only 28 but is streaky and has fallen out of favor with the Blues as Jordan Binnington has taken the reins. Varlamov would give the Blues a veteran to help Binnington along as the team claws its way back into the ultra-close Western Conference playoff hunt.
Brian Elliott, Philadelphia Flyers
With the incredible beginning to Carter Hart's NHL career, as well as the arrival of Talbot, it seems Elliott no longer has a place with Philadelphia. He comes with a significantly lower cap hit than the previously mentioned goalies and is also in the last months of his contract. He's not going to save anyone's season, but he has a good chunk of playoff experience. And for what it's worth, his .877 high-danger save percentage is seventh in the NHL among goalies with at least 10 games played, according to Natural StatTrick.
Like Varlamov, Elliott could be a good Plan B for a goalie-starved playoff team. If the Flyers are OK with dealing within the division, a team like the Carolina Hurricanes might make sense, giving them another option and a guy with experience beyond Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney. Both are set to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
Michal Neuvirth, another Flyers free agent this summer, could also be on the move. The Edmonton Oilers could be a good spot. But the Sharks are also interesting if they opt to upgrade the backup role rather than look for a better option than Jones to start.
Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues
As previously mentioned, Allen might make sense for a team like Colorado. Trading for Allen would give it a younger duo, with Philipp Grubauer being the other half. Allen is under contract for two more seasons at $4.35 million per season and might just need a change of scenery.
Another interesting possibility is the New Jersey Devils. Keith Kinkaid is on an expiring contract, and Cory Schneider could end up being a buyout candidate in the near future. Or maybe Allen would fit with Carolina should it choose not to bring back Mrazek.
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
This seems crazy, as the 33-year-old is still one of the best in the league and has four more years on his contract at $5.8 million annually. But with the Kings breaking it all down, it needs to at least be considered. The Flames and Devils -- New Jersey has a ton of cap room -- come to mind. Carolina could be very intriguing. But what about Colorado?
The Avalanche already have a dynamic forward trio in Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. Then there's a good shot they end up with either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko in the 2019 draft with the Ottawa Senators' top pick (along with the chance to have a second pick in the top 10 with their own selection). Oh, and don't forget the exciting Cale Makar potentially making his way to the NHL next season.
Add a goaltender of Quick's caliber and you have a team capable of winning the Stanley Cup. Considering the Avs have two first-round picks, they certainly have one to spare, especially if it means fixing their crease issues.
Keith Kinkaid, New Jersey Devils
The Devils' Kinkaid took control of the crease from Schneider, and New Jersey probably won't move on from him. But with this middling campaign, he could be sent off as the Devils look to stockpile picks. He might not be a big upgrade for a team like San Jose, but perhaps he ends up with a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs or Tampa Bay Lightning as a No. 2 who provides some injury security.
Also in play: The Flames' Smith might get dealt as a pending free agent, but the tread is worn at this point and he'd be no more than a veteran backup. Craig Anderson of the Senators is also certainly expendable, but not many teams need a 37-year-old who has shown visible decline over the past two seasons.