Mayer ranked 22nd overall

[bjindaho]

It does simply because it cut down his career, sitting behind a great goalie. His career is 2 years of being the backup all the way (5 games and 28), then 12 of starting. And of the 12, he has a season of 14 games, one of 35, one of 41, and one of 43. His prime was really 8 years in which he was good, and a couple in which he has moved to good teams to enhance his image.

[Judas In My Mind]

I don't think that really matters though. Just my opinion. For most great goalies that applies. Their true dominance only applies for about that many years. You look at Hasek's 6 Vezina's in such a short time period. Only Plante and Durnan can really rival that sort of dominance for the position.

[dogbert]

Lots of goalies to consider for the top 5: Roy, Plante, Dryden, Sawcheck, Benedict, Hall, Brodeur and a host of others who may beat Hasek out such as Bower, Cheevers, Parent, Esposito, Smith, etc. It's an unanswerable question.

[elementz]

It's too hard to compare different era's. Hasek was the best goaltender among 30 teams and 60+ goaltenders. Plante, Durnan, etc played in an era of no back up goaltenders and only 6 teams.

If you really want to go back, how about Geoge Hainsworth back in the 20's. 22 shutouts in 44 games.

[bjindaho]

Well, Roy has 4 cups, 3 vezinas, 3 jennings, 3 conn smythes. Dryden's is actually eerily similar to Hasek's. Fuhr has only 2 awards and was sent down 3 times during his career. Smith posted sub .900 SV% most of his career. Brodeur has 4 Jennings, 2 Vezinas, 3 cups through double digit seasons, and would have had at least one more Vezina if he didn't have the NJ d's reputation taking away from him. That being said, I think Hasek could go top 5 all time based on this.

[bjindaho]

Different rules, different era. Hasek's stats are good, the only question is whether he played long enough to be "GREAT". But since Dryden played so little, it would be difficult not to say they were pretty even.

[dogbert]

Sawchuck's 103 shutouts and 2nd in wins.

[elementz]

Brodeur will be beating those records eventually

[bjindaho]

Sawchuk played 21 seasons and only won 4 vezinas. That means that he was only the best goalie in 4 seasons. Sure he gets credit for longevity, but Hasek was the best goalie of his season 6 times. Dryden was 5 times.

[bjindaho]

Brodeur is only 35 and needs 11 shutouts to tie Sawchuk's record.

[dogbert]

Had Sawchuck been playing for the Sens instead of Hasek and with the same 'injury', he'd have started every playoff game. He defines hockey toughness.

www.redwingalumni.com/legendSawchuck.html

[elementz]

I think Hasek's 2 Hart Trophys and 2 Lester B Pearson's are the most impressive accolades. No goalie has ever done that before.