Examining the Ottawa Senators goaltending

Ray Emery was certainly being groomed to be Ottawa’s No. 1. Few, however, expected that ascension to come last season. Ottawa spent major free-agent dollars on Martin Gerber, believing the veteran Swiss goalie could serve as the bridge while Emery continued his development as a backup. But a rugged start by Gerber paved the way for Emery to take over and the 24-year-old grabbed the No. 1 job with both hands. Emery went 33-16-6 with a 2.47 GAA and .918 save percentage in the regular season. Before losing four out of five starts to Anaheim in the Stanley Cup Final, Emery was 12-3 in the postseason and had allowed just 31 goals in those first 15 outings.

Backup plan

Martin Gerber has become one of the best-paid backups in the League after losing his job to Emery. But Gerber does provide some insurance to the Senators in case Emery suffers an injury. Gerber, 33, did go 38-14-6 with a .906 save percentage in 60 games as the No. 1 in Carolina two years ago. He has also served as the backup goalie for three Stanley Cup finalists (Ottawa, Carolina, Anaheim), winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. He has also played an intensive international schedule with the Swiss national team.

In the Wings

Brian Elliott – Projected to be Ottawa’s next good, young goalie, Elliott turns pro this year after a solid career with the University of Wisconsin. As a senior with the Badgers, he went 12-16-2 with a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage. A ninth-round pick in 2003, Elliott has eight pro games of experience after playing for Binghamton in the American Hockey League after the conclusion of the college season. He is expected to be the No. 1 with the Baby Sens this year.

Jeff Glass – A former CHL Goalie of the year, Glass had a season to forget last year in Binghamton. He went just 9-24-2 in 43 AHL appearances and posted an underwhelming 4.11 GAA and .888 save percentage. Glass has one year left on his entry-level contract and has a lot left to prove to the Sens.