This week, I will publish a series of articles looking at the players we have at each position in both the NHL and minor leagues. We will start with the goaltender position.

NHL

(1A) Roberto Luongo- The 37 year old veteran is the oldest goalie in the NHL. Luongo’s 2016-17 season has had its ups and downs. Sure he missed the all star game for the first time in a full season in his second tenure with the Cats but Carey Price and Tuukka Rask were great goalies and if one of them didn’t go to LA then I bet Lu would’ve gone. He has also had more rest this year. If the Panthers do make the playoffs, I don’t think it would hurt to rest the aging veteran during a couple games with a solid 1B option in Reimer playing especially if we have another weird playoff schedule.

Stats as of Afternoon 2/20/17: 37 GP; 2.69 GAA; 16-14-6; .915 SVPCT

(1B) James Reimer- After a rough start including a 6-1 loss in his homecoming aganist Toronto, Reimer has settled down and has been one of the best goalies in the league since December. Reimer has played well since the coaching change. He recently welcomed a daughter to his life; Nevaeh. I expect Reimer to play a lot down the stretch. He also has playoff experience being the backup to Martin Jones last year in the Sharks run to the cup finals.

Stats: 24 GP, 2.48 GAA, .918 SVPCT, 11-6-4

AHL

(3A) Reto Berra- The Panthers acquired Berra in exchange for Grimaldi. Berra was acquired as a just in case in case the Cats couldn’t get a deal with James Reimer or in case Roberto Luongo couldn’t start the season after offseason knee surgery. With the Thunderbirds this year, he has split time with veteran Mike McKenna. However, his season has been inconsistent- hot at times and cold at others.

Stats: 28 GP; 11-13-2; 2.44 GAA; .911 SVPCT

(3B) Mike McKenna– McKenna is an AHL veteran. The long time AHLer has split time with the inconsistent Reto Berra. On February 19th, McKenna earned his 200th AHL victory in the Thunderbirds 4-2 victory over the Hartford Wolfpack (Rangers affiliate).

Stats: 25 GP; 8-10-7; 2.94 GAA; .903 SVPCT

ECHL

(3C) Sam Brittan- When the Cats got Berra; Brittan went from the club’s #4 goalie on the depth chart to 3C. He has been called up to serve as a backup a couple of times this year. He has done very well this year in Manchester. The longtime Panther prospect will likely split time with Sam Montembeault in Springfield next year as I don’t expect the Panthers to resign either Berra or McKenna.

Stats: 32 GP; 19-7-3-1; 3.11 GAA; .899 SVPCT

Emergency Goalie

(6) Bobby Segin

Juniors/NCAA

Sam Montembeault

The Panthers goalie of the future is back from injury. Although, he has been inconsistent, he got some offensive help when his team acquired the 2016 3rd overall pick Pierre Luc-Dubois. Montembeault still has a while to go.

League: Blainville-Boisbrand in the QMJHL

Stats: 32 GP; 21-8-0; 2.57 GAA; .904 SVPCT