Which free agent netminder could thrive in starter's role?

The most uninspiring position in free agency, high-quality goaltending is historically difficult to find on the open market. Since the lockout, not a single high-level goaltender in his prime has been signed as a UFA come July 1st.

To put it simply, good goalies don’t just walk.

Recent signings like Jonas Hiller and Brian Elliott offer examples of goalies with who had promise entering the market, only to have little to no success with their new club.

This year, however, a few teams will be looking to do the near impossible when luring an unprotected netminder in to be their starter.

But does this year’s selection offer one who can buck the trend?

Carter Hutton

At 32, Hutton has never gotten a fair shake as a starter. The six-year pro has had stints with the Flyers, Blackhawks, Predators, and Blues, but has never started more than 40 games in a season.

But since 2015-16, Hutton has posted the seventh best save percentage among goalies with 70 games or more, sporting a .921 mark. He’s also tied for first over that stretch with a 2.25 goals-against average.

Another encouraging sign from Hutton is his proven ability to perform regardless of his time off between games. In situations with four days off or more, he put up a SV% of .931 — the exact same number when he had three days off or less.

However, as history has dictated, handing over the net to a lifelong backup has not been a decision which pays off regularly. And the U-Mass Lowell product has exhibited one sign which could give teams pause. Last season, the career backup allowed three or more goals in six of his last nine outings. Perhaps demonstrating a level of fatigue, his late-season skid led to his SV% dropping from a remarkable .943 to a still impressive .931.

Unlike most goalies his age, Hutton is a total unknown when it comes to holding down the crease as the primary option. But he should be serviceable if he ends up on a team with a decent defensive unit.

Though early signs point towards him inking a deal with the Sabres, according to Andy Strickland, sharing the crease with Linus Ullmark might offer an optimal workload.

Robin Lehner

Cut loose by the Sabres after a largely ineffective two-season run as the starter, there’s no promise that Lehner will ever regain a featured role.

Though his combined .916 save percentage has contributed to that, the former second-round selection was hardly in a position to succeed with the Sabres. Over the last two years, only five teams — the Maple Leafs, Senators, Rangers, Islanders, and Coyotes — conceded more shot attempts. All of these teams, with the exception of Toronto, have been struck with inconsistency between the pipes.

From an individual standpoint, what’s plagued Lehner most in his career has been his lack of ability to keep his emotions in check. Playing on some poor hockey clubs — and losing — for the better part of his career, it’s led him to some frustration. And now with eight professional seasons under his belt, it is to be expected that he improves upon that aspect of his game.

Still in his mid-20’s, Lehner still poses some upside. If he is able to land on a team that has a good supporting cast around it, perhaps he can be a steady force in a secondary role and push for a half share.

The Red Wings have reportedly expressed some interest in his services, according to Craig Custance of The Athletic.

Petr Mrazek

Mrazek shares some similarities with Lehner. They’re both 26, both didn’t receive qualifying offers, and each have a Calder Cup to their name. But that is about as far as the connections go.

Unlike Lehner, who has been pretty solid in his past few seasons, Mrazek has had a bit of a tough go in his past two years, sporting a 3.04 GAA and a .901 SV%.

What makes Mrzaek appealing though is what he flashed early on in his career. From 2014-2016, the former fifth-round pick put up mouth-watering numbers. Both his 2.35 GAA and his .920 SV% were slotted in the top 15 over that span.

With all this success coming before turning 25, it seemed as though the sky was the limit. Growth, however, has proven not to always be linear. Mrazek may be better suited to share the crease until he showcases what made him coveted by Detroit early in his career.