A ranked list of the top 10 best NHL goalies of all time

Goaltending is one of the most exciting positions in hockey. It entails protecting the net to prevent opponents from scoring. Over the years, fans have witnessed many exceptional goaltenders, including the best NHL goalies of all time, with incredible success. Their pure dominance in their position and achievements make them true legends.

Every NHL goalie dreams of making history in the competition. While the National Hockey League has produced exceptional netminders, only a few helped to revolutionise the sport. This article reveals the NHL's toughest hockey goalies of all time and what they have won.

Who are the top 10 best goalies in the NHL?

The top 10 best NHL goalies of all time are known for their ability to produce impressive saves and help their teams win titles. Here are the 10 best NHL goalies of all time ranked according to their achievements and skills.

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10. Turk Broda

Walter Edward "Turk" Brod is arguably one of the greatest netminders in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is the first NHL goaltender to reach the 300-win mark. Broda was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHF) in 1967 but passed away in 1972.

• Team: Toronto Maple Leafs (1936-43, 1945-52)
• Awards: First Team All-Star (1941, 1948), Second Team All-Star (1942)
• Trophies: Stanley Cup Championships (5), Vezina Trophy (2)

9. Glenn Hall

Glenn Hall spent 18 years in the NHL, playing for Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis. He earned his nickname "Mr Goalie" for his brilliance in the net. His streak of playing 502 consecutive games in the league remains unbroken.

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• Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1952-1957), Chicago Black Hawks (1957-1967), St. Louis Blues (1967-1971)
• Awards: First Team All-Star (1957, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1969), Second Team All-Star (1956, 1961, 1962, 1967), Hockey Hall of Fame (1975)
• Trophies: Calder Memorial Trophy (1), Conn Smythe Trophy (1), Vezina Trophy (3)

8. Georges Vezina

Vezina left a massive impact on the sport. The prestigious goaltending trophy, awarded to the best goalie in an NHL season, was named after Georges Vezina. Unfortunately, he died of tuberculosis in March 1926.

• Team: Montreal Canadiens (1910-1926)
• Awards: Hockey Hall of Fame (1945)
• Trophies: Stanley Cups (2)

7. Johnny Bower

Despite making his NHL debut at 34, Johnny Bower proved his doubters wrong by making history with the Maple Leafs. Many people will remember his bold move of playing without a mask to protect his face.

• Team: New York Rangers (1953-57), Toronto Maple Leafs (1958-69)
• Awards: First Team All-Star (1961), Hockey Hall of Fame (1976)
• Trophies: Vezina Trophy (2), Stanley Cups (4)

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6. Ken Dryden

The Canadian spent eight years with the Montreal Canadiens. However, he retired after the 1978-79 season to pursue other interests at 31. Dryden is also among the most decorated hockey keepers in NHL history.

• Team: Montreal Canadiens (1970-79)
• Awards: First All-Star Team Goalie (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979), Second All-Star Team Goalie (1972), Hockey Hall of Fame (1983)
• Trophies: Calder Memorial Trophy (1), Conn Smythe Trophy (1), Vezina Trophy (5), Conn Smythe Trophy (1)

5. Terry Sawchuk

Sawchuk registered 103 shutouts in the league. The record stood for many years until Patrick Roy broke it. In 1971, he got inducted into the Hall of Fame. He finished his career with 445 wins (8th all-time).

• Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1949-55, 1957-64, 1968-69), Boston Bruins (1955-57), Toronto Maple Leafs (1964-67), Los Angeles Kings (1967-68), New York Rangers (1969-70)
• Awards: First Team All-Star (1951, 1952, 1953), Second Team All-Star (1954, 1955, 1959, 1963), Hockey Hall of Fame (1971)
• Trophies: Calder Memorial Trophy (1), Lester Patrick Trophy (1), Vezina Trophy (4)

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4. Martin Brodeur

Brodeur brought stability to the New Jersey Devils during the mid-1990s and 2000s. The three-time Olympian retired during the 2014-15 season as the all-time NHL leader in wins (691) and shutouts (125). Brodeur and Ron Hextall are the only netminders to score two goals in NHL history.

• Teams: New Jersey Devils (1991–2015)
• Awards: All-Rookie Team (1994), First Team All-Star (2003, 2004, 2007), Second Team All-Star (1997, 1998, 2006, 2008), Hockey Hall of Fame (2018)
• Trophy: Calder Memorial Trophy (1), William M. Jennings Trophy (4), Vezina Trophy (2), Olympic Gold Medal (2), Stanely Cup (2)

Who are the best NHL goalies? - Top three

Canadian duo Patrick Roy and Jacques Plante join Dominik Hasek of the Czech Republic as the top three highly-ranked netminders in NHL history. But who is considered the best NHL goalie of all time? Find out more below.

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3. Patrick Roy

Patrick Roy is one of the few goalies to win multiple Stanley Cups with more than one team. He won with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. Roy also joins Roberto Luongo as the only two goaltenders with over 200 victories in NHL history. Besides, he is the only NHL legend to win the Conn Smythe trophy three times.

• Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1984-1995), Colorado Avalanche (1995-2003)
• Awards: NHL All-Rookie Team (1986), First Team All-Star (1989, 1990, 1992, 2002), Second Team All-Star (1988, 1991), Hockey Hall of Fame (2006)
• Trophy: Conn Smythe Trophy (3), Vezina Trophy (3), William M. Jennings Trophy (5), Stanely Cups (4)

2. Jacques Plante

Jacques Plante was reportedly instrumental in introducing protection masks for goalies after breaking his nose in a match in 1959. Goaltenders now use masks to avoid injuries when the ball approaches their faces. Plante ended his career with 437 wins (9th all-time). He is also one of seven goalies to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.

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• Teams: Montreal Canadiens (1952-1963), New York Rangers (1963-1965), St. Louis Blues (1968-1970), Toronto Maple Leafs (1970-1972), Boston Bruins (1972-1973)
• Awards: First Team All-Star (1956, 1959, 1962), Second Team All-Star (1957, 1958, 1960, 1971), Hall of Fame (1978)
• Trophies: Hart Memorial Trophy (1), Vezina Trophy (7), Stanely Cups (6)

1. Dominik Hasek

Hasek has arguably the best NHL goalies of all time stats. He earned his nickname, "The Dominator", because of his brilliance while playing for the Buffalo Sabres. Despite beginning his NHL career at 26, Hasek inspired his team Buffalo Sabres and won numerous titles in the 1990s. To many, he is the best goalie to ever grace the NFL.

• Teams: Chicago Black Hawks (1990-1992), Buffalo Sabres (1992-2001), Detroit Red Wings (2001-2004, 2006-2008), Ottawa Senators (2005-2006)
• Awards: NHL All-Rookie Team (1992), First Team All-Star (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001), Lester B. Pearson (1997, 1998)
• Trophies: Hart Memorial Trophy (2), Vezina Trophy (6), William M. Jennings Trophy (3)

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What goalie has the most Stanley Cups?

Ken Dryden and Jacques Plante are the most successful goalies in the Stanely Cup Championship history. They are tied with six, while Turk Broda has five. Here is a list of the top winners.

The Best American hockey goalies of all time

The United States has produced some of the most outstanding hockey players in the NHL. Some were great goaltenders who singlehandedly won titles for their teams. Tom Barrasso, Frank Brimsek, and Mike Richter top the list of best American NHL goalies of all time. Here is a list of the outstanding American-born goaltenders based on their league's career wins.

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The best NHL goalies of all time in our list are highly respected and have inspired many generations. They have also made millions in their careers and improved their lifestyles.

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