New York Islanders 2018-19 Season Goaltender Depth Chart

Thomas Greiss

2017-18 Stats: 3.82 GAA .892 SV%, 13-8-2 (27GP)
Cap Hit: $3.33 million | 2 Years

What happened to Thomas Greiss? Over the last three seasons, the German netminder has gotten worse and worse and worse. In 2015-16 Greiss stepped in as the Islanders number one keeper for an injured Jaroslav Halak. He played 41 games and went 23-11-4 with a 2.36 GAA and 9.25 SV%.

That record helped the Islanders make the postseason for the second year in a row. With his 2.46 GAA and .936SV%, Greiss was a huge reason the New York Islanders won their first playoff series since 1993. That’s how good Greiss was. That was also three seasons ago.

The following year wasn’t too different for Greiss. in terms of his role This time Halak was out of the lineup thanks to some poor play. With Jean-Francois Berube proving to be a porous NHL backup, Greiss was on his own. Greiss answered with a 26-18-5 record and a 2.65 GAA and .913SV%.

It was a step down from 2015-16, but Greiss was clearly overworked. Sometimes playing both nights of a back-to-back. Before Greiss’ contract could expire at the end 2016-17, the Islanders gave him a deserved three-year extension worth $10 million.

And then last season happened. You can say what you want about Greiss’ play – it wasn’t good- but the system in front of him was clearly broken. For stretches, last season Greiss was the only option for the Islanders in net.

With Robin Lehner with the Islanders, Greiss will surely return to his normal role a the backup netminder for the team in 2018-19. Only if Lehner is an absolute flop will they give the reigns over to Greiss again.