The NHL’s top free agents: Goaltenders

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This is not the year to be a free agent goaltender.

All 30 teams – save for perhaps rebuilding Calgary – look set at the No. 1 position. Many also have backups in place, of varying quality, and some teams even have three NHL-calibre goaltenders signed and ready to play.

Goal is always a weird position in free agency as there are so few spots that it becomes a bit like musical chairs. Miss your opportunity, and you might not get one until there's an injury during the year.

That's the position that Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller are in right now, looking for an opening with July 1 approaching. What they really need is a team dissatisfied with their No. 1 willing to make a bold move, as if you look around the league depth chart, there doesn't appear to be a great fit for either without a trade being made.

What follows below is a quick look at the goalie depth chart around the league, which currently shows 11 eight backup spots open. Keep in mind that these spots may be filled with young players in the organization (like Michael Hutchinson in Winnipeg) or some of the free agents listed on the right.

*- status uncertain

Beyond Miller and Hiller, the most intriguing names available are Martin Brodeur (for obvious reasons), Tim Thomas (if he doesn't retire) and younger goalies like Justin Peters, Al Montoya, Chad Johnson and Thomas Greiss.

They're all basically gambles due to their age or inexperience and, given the market, aren't going to be able to find much of a payday.

Then there are reclamation projects like Devan Dubnyk, who can likely be had for very little as he attempts to get his career back on track.

Where James Reimer ends up is another big question mark as it's expected the Leafs will move him for some kind of an asset with Jonathan Bernier in line for 60-plus starts as the No. 1.

You'll note there are quite a few more names in the UFA column compared to the openings, which means this is likely the end of the line for quite a few goalies. It's a tough position that way, where every young kid like John Gibson that comes in and excels means one fewer job.

This year, it's going to be tougher than ever to sign a big deal as a goalie, which makes this the one position where no one's likely to cash in. Teams, if they're smart, can use that to get a solid backup at a discount price.

Buyouts: None

Trade candidates: Ward, Niemi, Reimer, Budaj

Notable RFAs: Reimer, Kuemper, Raanta, Lehner, Hutchinson