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Nashville Predators: Ranking the Central Division Goalies for 2022-23

By Chad Minton

ST LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 17: Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators makes a save against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center on January 17, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 17: Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators makes a save against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center on January 17, 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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Jake Oettinger
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

#2: Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars

2021-22 Stats: 48 Games, 30-15-1, 2.53 GAA, .914 Save %, 1 Shutout

I firmly believe Oettinger has a Vezina Trophy in his future. It’s just a matter of “when”, not “if”.

Oettinger was in the middle of a goalie logjam for the Dallas Stars initially as he was coming out of the minor league ranks. But with Ben Bishop, Braden Holtby, and Anton Khudobin all gone now, it’s Oettinger’s show to lead.

A main reason you still have to take the Stars seriously in the Central Division is that they’re balanced with a combination of young scorers and high-end goaltending with Oettinger.

I have a strong feeling that Oettinger breaks out in 2022-23 and leads the Stars into the playoffs and make them dangerous to a team like the Avalanche or Oilers in a seven-game playoff series. He’s just got the physical frame and skills to be the prototypical shutdown goalie.

My dark horse candidate to win the 2023 Vezina Trophy is Jake Oettinger. We’ll see how he puts it all together after being a bit streaky during the regular season, but being all-time great in the 2022 playoffs.

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