Inexperienced vs. good goalies

Is it me, or is familiarity overtaking skill level when it comes to goaltending performance in the sport of hockey? There have always been a few example of goalies rising then quickly falling, but it seems like this has become a legitimate part of the game. It seems like half the goalies that put up big numbers each year were unheard of the previous year. Similarly, half the goalies that put up big numbers each year seem to fade into obscurity the next.


I don't want to misrepresent reality here. Teams would be far better off with an experienced goalie than to put me between the pipes. However, there does seem to be a shift in values in recent years. Skill and work ethic aren't as valuable as they used to be. Lack of familiarity is proving to have some serious benefits.

I don't want to take away the accomplishments of goalies who have tremendous years, but an exceptional year definitely does not prove that a goalie is among the elites. The goalies that should be getting the credit are the ones who put up good numbers several years in a row. They are the ones who can put up decent numbers even when their opponents know their tendencies.

If I were a GM, I probably wouldn't spend too much on goaltending. Instead, I would target cheap and adequate goalies who other teams have not yet been able to study. This would save a significant amount of cap space that can be spent on positions where skill and work ethic are more likely to stand out. It also maintains a chance that you could get a hot goalie that can carry you deep into the playoffs.