The HBAW Index: Ranking the NHL's Backup Goalies, #1-10

We've now reached the critical moment, the best of the best. If the starting goalie for any of these teams were to go down with an injury, once the initial panic wore off, the fanbase would say "Could be worse. At least we have (Insert Name Of Guy Here)." Again, this isn't about the dropoff from the starter, just the ability of the backup to play.  Once more into the breach, dear friends...

The HBAW Index: Ranking The NHL's Backup Goalies, #11-20

When we last left our hero (such as I am), he had gone through the bottom third of the NHL's backup goaltenders. It was a motley crew (Crue?) of prospects and disgraced former starters that I believe we were all happy to leave behind.

Now, we move onto the middle of the pack. Remembering that the rankings are in order of how boned a fanbase would be if suddenly the backup became the starter, these guys are the point where you're worried, but aren't quite jumping up and down on the panic button. Onward!

The HBAW Index: Ranking the NHLs Backup Goalies, #21-30

In case it's not become incredibly obvious, I like lists. There is something about my personality that makes me enjoy categorizing things; I also like sorting laundry. This particular list derives from a post I saw on Twitter from the folks at Blue Seat Blogs (www.blueseatblogs.com), who are making a preseason list of the top 30 goalies in the league. While this is all well and good, and I'll probably write a post arguing with their choices, I decided to approach this from a slightly different angle. Specifically, I ask the question that every hockey fan has asked at some point: In case of injury, How Boned Are We?