5. Alex Nedeljkovic – Carolina Hurricanes – 37th Overall
Nedeljkovic had a busy year in 2021. After appearing in just five NHL games before last season, he was a mainstay on the Hurricanes’ roster playing in 23 games. His 15-5-3 record earned him a place as a Calder Trophy finalist, finishing third in the voting. When the season ended, Nedeljkovic could not come to terms with the only franchise he’s ever played for and was subsequently traded to the Detroit Red Wings, who signed him a two-year deal worth $6 million.
Before embarking on a stellar rookie campaign with the Hurricanes, Nedeljkovic played a lot of hockey in the minor leagues, winning the Calder Cup (AHL) in 2018-19. He played several seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), two seasons in the ECHL, and parts of four seasons in the AHL, where he became the 13th goalie to score a goal.
4. Vitek Vanecek – Washington Capitals – 39th Overall
Just some of his fellow 2014 draftees, Vanecek also had a busy 2021 season. After Henrik Lundqvist had heart surgery, he beat out Craig Anderson for the role as the Capitals’ backup goalie at the start of the campaign, and he did not disappoint. He took over as the top goalie, and in 37 games, he posted a 21-10-4 record along with a 2.69 GAA and .908 SV%.
His play earned him consideration for the Calder Trophy and helped the Capitals secure a postseason berth. The team left him unprotected in the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft, where he became a new team member. However, a week later, the two teams came to an agreement that sent Vanecek back to the Capitals for a second-round pick in 2023.
Vanecek left his native Czech Republic in 2015-16 to play in the ECHL. After one season and an 18-7-6 record, he jumped up to the AHL with the Hershey Bears, playing in 140 games over five seasons. His AHL numbers were 71-43-16 and 2.27 GAA, and .916 SV%. Vanecek has one year left on his entry-level contract.
3. Igor Shesterkin – New York Rangers – 118th Overall
Shesterkin made headlines when he signed a new deal with the Rangers, who plan on keeping the native of Moscow at the top of the depth chart for another four seasons. Some believe Shesterkin’s limited NHL experience (47 games) is not equal to the payday the 25-year-old recently signed ($22.6 million). The AAV of his second NHL contract broke a record previously held by fellow Russian Sergei Bobrovsky when he signed his first deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013.
The Rangers selected Shesterkin 59 picks after Halverson in 2014. This mid-round selection may eventually turn into the steal of the century since Shesterkin has been a winner at every level of hockey he’s played. In Russia, he won the Junior Hockey League (MHL) championship on top of a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games. He’s played in two World Championships, earning bronze both times and a silver at the 2015 World Juniors. In the KHL, his record was 80-19-15, and in his last year, he made it to the KHL Gagarin Cup Finals. So far, his NHL totals are 26-16-3 with a 2.59 GAA and a .921 SV%.
2. Elvis Merzlikins – Columbus Blue Jackets – 76th Overall
Merzlikins made his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season, finishing the campaign with a 13-9-8 record, a .935 SV%, and a 2.35 GAA. His performances earned him consideration for the Calder Trophy, Vezina Trophy, and All-Star team. His performance dipped slightly in his second season (2020-21), which produced his first losing record, 8-12-5, at any professional level.
After his last season (2018-19) in Switzerland, Merzlikins made the jump directly to the NHL, a rare move by teams and their goalie prospects. To date, Merzlikins has two career starts in the AHL, but the demotion only occurred because he failed to win games at the beginning of his NHL career. His minor league stint was short as he swapped places with Matiss Kivlenieks, and once back in Columbus, he never looked back. In 61 NHL games, his record is 21-21-13 with a 2.54 GAA and .920 SV%.
1. Thatcher Demko – Vancouver Canucks – 36th overall
Demko has seen the most NHL action out of all the goalies drafted in 2014. After the 2020-21 season, he’s appeared in 72 games and has a 34-31-4 record to go along with a 2.93 GAA and .911 SV%. Initially, he shared the net with Jacob Markstrom, but Markstrom departed to Calgary as a free agent, so Demko had a new partner last season in veteran Branden Holtby. He outplayed Holtby and won the starting job. The Canucks let Holtby leave as a free agent and signed Demko to a contract extension in March 2021, paying him starter money ($25 million), so it is safe to say now the crease is his to lose.
The native of San Diego, California, found success at the NCAA level, earning the Mike Richter Award (best goalie) and finishing as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award (best college player) in 2016. He was the number one goalie prospect for his draft class. In the AHL, Demko played 107 games for the Utica Comets over three seasons, earning a 55-35-12 record.
The future of number one goalies
As we mentioned in the opening, 10 goalies from the 2014 NHL Entry Draft have played at least one game so far. Comparing that number to the 2013 draft (nine) and the 2015 draft (six), we see that this particular year’s draft produced several talented goalies.
Shesterkin just broke through the glass ceiling in regards to second-year contracts for goalies. He may not have had the opportunities as some of his counterparts, like Sorokin, Demko, and Merzlikins, but he plays in one of the country’s biggest markets, so the chances to win will come. The Rangers are building themselves into Stanley Cup contenders, and Shesterkin is a critical part of the foundation.
The last NHL goalies drafted into the league with championships on their resume are Andrei Vasilevsky and Matt Murray (2012 Entry Draft). It will be a race to be the next great goalie to lead their team to victory, and Shesterkin’s name is among the best to come out of the draft over the last nine years.