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The top spot in net is always a three-chimp race, but numbers four through 10 are open to debate. After the top three guys, there really isn't another superstar netminder out there capable of carrying a team to a championship all by his lonesome. The rest of the guys on the list are all rather shaky at times, but they're the best of what's out there. The goaltending scene could definitely use some new faces.

Dominik Hasek by Meredith Martini

1. Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres: It's impossible to keep Hasek out of the top spot. I know. I tried. The guy's won two consecutive Hart Trophies and about 32 straight Vezinas. He's led the league in save percentage the past five seasons and was tops in shutouts last year with 13. It's hard to win anymore awards without hitting an iceberg.

As always, Hasek's unpredictability is what makes him so difficult to beat. Shooters just have no idea what he's going to do next. Although chances are if you make a strong move to the left post Hasek's going to place his blocker down first and then roll on to his back while kicking his legs in the air, coming to rest flat on the ice and staring at the ceiling. It's just a little something I picked up on since he does it, oh I don' know, maybe every damn time! We actually had a whole comedy bit worked out about it called "Do the Hasek." Set to the music of "The Hustle", we were going to dress Zippy up in 70's disco clothing and have him demonstrate the new dance sensation. The idea was golden, but we never got around to it. So let's take a moment to imagine what it would have been like... aw, that's funny stuff. Did you see those pants?

Getting back to Hasek, he's the fastest goaltender in the world from post to post. And if he can't get over there on his skates he isn't scared to dive across head-first and take one in the melon. When eyeing him up, there really isn't much to shoot at. He holds his glove straight up and down at his shoulder, taking away anything high to the right corner. As the play gets closer he'll drop it, but by then the shooter has usually made up his mind to go somewhere else. There's no relief at the left post since Hasek is one of the few goaltenders in the NHL that's more comfortable with his blocker than his catching glove. Hasek has the quickest feet in the league, so any bids for the bottom corners usually get swallowed up in his pads. Same story for five-hole shots.

The best bet in one-on-one situations is to be patient, wait for the last possible second - since he seldom poke-checks - and then rifle one over his glove. Either that or go to the left post to trigger his little "Do the Hasek" dance routine, hold the puck in order to let him finish rolling over, then pipe it upstairs. The only problem with either scenario is that few players have the patience or the skill to pull them off.

The one true weakness in Hasek's game is his stickwork. He's downright comical when he tries to play the puck outside the crease. Yet even this blatant flaw isn't enough to keep him from the top spot on the charts. Hasek is the single most dominating player in hockey. He has the chance to steal a game for Buffalo each and every time out. No sense fighting the power. Every once in a while the masses get one right.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: You know what? I'm tired. I've been writing these player rating issues for the past five years, talking about the same guys year after year. And it's all the same crap. I mean how many different ways are there to say that a guy's fast? I only know about 40 or 50 words tops. Trying to constantly reorganize them in new and exciting ways is quite exhausting. After a while it really gets to me. Now I'm just beat. I've got nothing. So since goaltenders are the only thing I have left to write, I'm going to change things up a bit. I'm done trying to form sentences and construct complete ideas. Instead I'll just rattle off a series of random thoughts about the player, explaining his strengths, weaknesses, and why we ranked him where we did. Then I'm gonna go get ripped. Enjoy.)

2. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: Butterfly perfection... great size... young and strong... very durable... excellent stickhandler... has won a Cup... only the unique talent of Hasek is keeping Brodeur from the top spot.

Patrick Roy by Kevin Fischer

3. Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche: Gets bored very easily... while his indifference can be funny, like the time he tried to rush the puck across center ice against the Rangers, it can often lead to soft goals... is good with the stick but can get reckless outside the cage... great glove... proven winner and natural leader... three Stanley Cups and two Conn Smythes... only his apparent lack of interest last season dropped him from the number one position.

4. Tom Barrasso, Pittsburgh Penguins: Takes up a lot of net... intense competitor... best stickhandler, even better than Brodeur... has an incredible glove hand... catches more shots than any other netminder... a bit weak high blocker... proven to be injury prone... gets ranked fourth because of his two Stanley Cups and his strong showing last season.

5. Ed Belfour, Dallas Stars: Very aggressive in net... exceptional angle play... strong glove... plays with a great deal of intensity, but anger can get the better of him on occasion... has a bad back... never really gets tested playing behind Dallas defense.

Curtis Joseph by Meredith Martini

6. Curtis Joseph, Toronto Maple Leafs: Can steal games by himself... amazing reflexes and flexibility... quick glove hand... exciting to watch... but plays too deep in his net... can be inconsistent... hasn't really won anything.

7. Mike Richter, New York Rangers: Stand-up goalie... strong legs... tremendous reflexes... when he's aggressive in his angle play he's tough to beat... but he's passive by nature... has a tendency to drop his catching glove... gives up a lot of rebounds... does have big game experience, though, having won a Stanley Cup and a World Cup.

8. Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals: Enormous in net... excellent angle work... even when he butterflies he keeps his torso upright and is big enough to cover the top shelf... despite size is still agile post to post... can be had high glove side... playoff run aside, remains an unproven commodity... another strong year and he'll move up the list.

9. Felix Potvin, Toronto Maple Leafs: Lightning quick glove hand... perfect in butterfly technique... helped revolutionize the position... seemed to peak early in his career... hasn't really gotten much better since... still plays too deep and looks awfully small in net.

10. John Vanbiesbrouck, Philadelphia Flyers: One of the top goaltenders in the league two years ago... looked plenty old last season... part was because the Panthers were brutal, but part of the reason why the Panthers were brutal was the play of Vanbiesbrouck... stand-up style... still one of the best angle goaltenders in hockey... extremely strong blocker side... but has slowed down noticeably... almost seems sluggish at times... may not be the answer to the Flyers' problems.

HONORABLE MENTION

Nikolai Khabibulin by Meredith Martini

Nikolai Khabibulin, Phoenix Coyotes: Acrobatic in net... capable of making the spectacular save... can get on a roll and dominate games... but needs to be more consistent... when he's hot he's really, really good... when he's cold he's prone to soft goals and looks like a bush leaguer.

MOVIN' ON UP

Trevor Kidd, Carolina Hurricanes: Really came into his own during second half of last season... massive in net... strong on angles... can be caught going side-to-side... zany check- patterned equipment may hypnotize and disorient... but definitely on his way up... could be top-ten material next season.

DOWNSVILLE

Grant Fuhr, St. Louis Blues: Has been written off many times in the past, but it has to happen sometime... still has the great glove hand... but injuries could start mounting up... expect to see him play a lot less this season.

CONFUSION

Jocelyn Thibault, Montreal Canadiens: Flawless butterfly technique... seemed to be on the verge of stardom last season... but Andy Moog's retirement has brought up questions about Thibault's ability to handle the number one job full time... he needs to take charge.

Stephane Fiset, Los Angeles Kings: Big goaltender that is capable of stealing games... can be spectacular... but somewhat inconsistent... has been troubled with a bad back... lost gig in playoffs to young Jamie Storr... needs to reassert himself this season.

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