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Boston Bruins: Top 3 free agent veteran goalies to consider for taxi squad

By Matt Hawkins |
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Ryan Miller #30 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a stop against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 7: Ryan Miller #30 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a stop against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Ducks 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 7: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings follows the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 7, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 7: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings follows the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 7, 2020 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

The Boston Bruins should consider bringing in a veteran goaltender for their taxi squad. Here are three options.

With the announcement that the 2021 NHL season will feature every team having the luxury of an expanded roster, or “taxi squad”, the Boston Bruins will have to make a decision on who the goalie will be on theirs.

A team’s taxi squad must consist of a minimum of four players and a maximum of six, however, it must also feature a goaltender if the team’s regular roster isn’t already carrying three of them.

With what the Bruins have already, this means that either Dan Vladar or Jeremy Swayman will be a part of their taxi squad. There’s no doubt that Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak will be the B’s 1A and 1B options on the regular roster, but all the organization has in the minors are prospects.

Related Story. Boston Bruins: Five players destined for 2021 taxi squad. light

With that being said, I think it would be smart for Boston to leave Vladar and Swayman alone and let them play in the AHL. Therefore, the B’s should consider bringing in one of these three veteran netminders for the sole purpose of being on their taxi squad.

3. The Boston Bruins should consider bringing in Jimmy Howard for their taxi squad.

At one point in his career, Jimmy Howard was regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL. However, now at the age of 36, he is past his prime and far over the hill.

Last season, Howard was horrendous. In 27 starts, he posted a 2-23-2 record with a .882 save percentage (SV%), 4.20 goals-against average (GAA), and .259 quality start percentage (QS%).

However, I don’t think Howard is solely to blame for his struggles in 2019-20. Howard was playing behind one of the worst teams in NHL history last year. Out of the four goalies that started for the Detroit Red Wings in 2019-20, just one had a SV% above .900 and a GAA under 3.00 — Jonathan Bernier with a .907 SV% and 2.95 GAA in 46 games, back up numbers at best.

So while Howard was dreadful, the team playing in front of him was worse. What could he do with a good team in front of him like the Bruins?

Even if he is bad, I don’t think he’ll have to start many games. His role is to take up the goalie spot on the B’s taxi squad so Vladar and Swayman can get consistent game action in the AHL. I don’t see how this option could hurt the Black and Gold in any way.

MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 20: Goaltender Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators stands guard by the net against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on November 20, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 20: Goaltender Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators stands guard by the net against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at the Bell Centre on November 20, 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

2. The Boston Bruins should consider bringing in Craig Anderson for their taxi squad.

Like Howard, Craig Anderson was considered one of the top goalies in the NHL at one point in his career. However, over the last few seasons, the 39-year-old has really struggled.

Last season, Anderson posted a 11-17-2 record with a .902 SV%, 3.25 GAA, and .452 QS% in 34 games (31 starts) for the Ottawa Senators. However, like Howard, I’m not completely sure these struggles are completely his fault as the Senators had the second worse defense in the league only behind Howard’s team, the Red Wings.

In fact, Anderson’s last good season (2016-17) was when the Sens had the 11th-best defense in the NHL. Since then, the Sens have had either the worst or second-worst defense in the league and Anderson hasn’t had a SV% higher than .903 and a GAA lower than 3.25.

So, like Howard, I wonder how good Anderson could still be with a halfway decent defense in front of him. I think he could definitely post borderline starter numbers instead of his NHL backup/AHL starter numbers that’s he’s been putting up the last three years.

If this is the case, he could be an excellent addition to the B’s, especially if he’s rarely needed and is mostly just there to hold the netminder position on the taxi squad.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Goaltender Ryan Miller #30 of the Anaheim Ducks drinks from a gatorade bottle during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 14, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Goaltender Ryan Miller #30 of the Anaheim Ducks drinks from a gatorade bottle during the first period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 14, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. The Boston Bruins should consider bringing in Ryan Miller for their taxi squad.

Ryan Miller, like the two goaltenders previously mentioned, was one of the best netminders in the NHL at one point in his career. However, now 40 years old, he’s no more than a backup that barely starts 20 games a season.

Although he hasn’t played often, he still puts up decent numbers. Unlike the previous two goalies, Miller hasn’t had a season with a SV% under .900 in his career (unless you count 2003-04 where he only played in three games). Furthermore, last season was Miller’s first year in which he had a GAA above 3.00.

Even with subpar stats in 2019-20, Miller was actually still decent. Despite his .907 SV% and 3.10 GAA in 23 games (19 starts) with the Anaheim Ducks, Miller still had a winning record of 9-6-4 and had a QS% of .579.

Miller was able to put up these numbers despite playing behind the 25th-worst defense in the NHL. This tells me, despite being 40 years old, Miller can still play when called upon.

Because of this, I think Miller is the best option to fill the goaltender spot on the Bruins’ taxi squad. Although the oldest of the three, he’s still the best and gives the B’s the best chance of winning if needed to play or start.

Next. Boston Bruins: Analyzing and grading the 2019-20 season of Matt Grzelcyk. dark

Overall, I really believe Boston should go out and sign one of these three veteran netminders to fill the goalie spot on their taxi squad. Vladar showed he wasn’t ready for the NHL with his appearance in the playoffs last season and it would be best for both him and Swayman to consistently get game action in the AHL.

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