4 Jets’ Backup Goalie Targets

Prior to joining the Kings on a pair of one-year contracts, he spent five years in the Washington Capitals organization. In 2021-22, by playing two games, he got into his first NHL action since 2018-19, when he appeared in 27 games and made 24 starts. He spent the entire 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, earning the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award with Zachary Fucale in 2020-21 (the equivalent of the NHL’s Jennings Trophy.)

Copley, who was undrafted, began his NHL career with the St. Louis Blues, making one relief appearance in 2014-15 and one start in 2015-16. In 76-career games and 72-career starts, he has a 44-16-8 record, 2.83 GAA, .899 SV%, and three shutouts.

Chris Driedger

Chris Driedger is a Manitoban who has fallen off the radar due to injuries. Could a return to his hometown get his career back on track?

The Winnipegger played just two games with the Seattle Kraken this season, going 1-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .917 SV% as Joey Daccord stole the starter’s role and Philipp Grubauer backed him up. Driedger’s had some rotten luck lately, tearing his ACL in the 2022 IIHF World Championship, missing most of the 2022-23 season as a result, and spending the brief healthy portion in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Driedger, 29 years old and a UFA, was selected by the Kraken in the 2021 Expansion Draft and signed a three-year deal with a $3.5 million average annual value with them that summer. He made 24 starts and 27 appearances for them in their inaugural 2021-22 campaign, going 9-14-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .899 SV% on a poor defensive club while also dealing with two injuries that caused him to miss time.

In 67-career appearances and 60-career starts between the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, and Kraken, the 2012 third-rounder has a 34-21-5 record, 2.45 GAA, .917 SV%, five shutouts, and 12.7 goals saved above expected.

Kevin Lankinen

Kevin Lankinen may be on the outside looking in at the Nashville Predators’ crease situation. He could be another goaltender to benefit from a change of scenery.

The 29-year-old Finn made 17 starts and 24 appearances for the Predators this season in his second campaign with the club, going 11-6-0 with a 2.82 GAA, .908 SV%, and one shutout. However, with Juuse Saros the bona-fide number-one guy and the organization’s high hopes for Yaroslav Askarov — who has done nothing but win in the AHL over two seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals and looks ready for the NHL — Lankinen could find himself the odd man out.

Lankinen, a UFA and undrafted goaltender, came to North American in 2020-21 after five seasons in the Finnish Liiga to play for the Chicago Blackhawks. Between two seasons with the Blackhawks and two with the Predators, he’s made 101 starts and 112 appearances, posting a 3.07 GAA, .905 SV%, and three shutouts.

Martin Jones

Martin Jones is a veteran who is extending his career by providing backup or tandem services. He’s a known and experienced commodity, two attractive traits when it comes to backups.

The 34-year-old spent this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, posting an 11-8-1 record, 2.87 GAA, .902 SV%, and two shutouts. However, he’s not likely to return. The Maple Leafs were Jones’ third team in the past three seasons as he played for the Kraken in 2022-23 and the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021-22.

Jones, a UFA and undrafted goaltender, is best known for his six seasons with the San Jose Sharks, who he made 325 starts for and led to the Stanley Cup Final in 2015-16. He also won the Stanley Cup in his rookie season with the Kings, the first team of his NHL career. In 466-career games and 488 starts between the five teams, he has a 236-171-36 record, 2.72 GAA, .905 SV%, and 30 shutouts. He was an NHL-All Star in 2017 and has appeared in 60-career playoff games, posting a 32-27 record, 2.36 GAA, .917 SV%, and six shutouts.