The NHL's Goalie Dilemma

Earlier this morning the Columbus Blue Jackets sent Antoine Vermette to the Phoenix Coyotes for a 2nd round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, a 5th round selection in the 2013 Draft and goalie, Curtis McElhinney.  As the struggling Blue Jackets attempt to fight their way out of last place, I doubt you will see much of a change this season but it looks like preparation for next year. 

However, it seem CBJ is not the only team that is struggling to find players to stick between the pipes.  

Famously, Toronto cannot find success in the the goaltending area.  They've Jonas Gustavsson and James Reimer, while both players have AWESOME nicknames (The Monster and Optimus Reimer, respectively) nicknames are no indication of their ability to perform.  A steady stream of backup goalie talent is not something that will launch you into Cup contention, no? 

Other teams with goaltending problems? 

Well after a blockbuster, cap space busting signing of husky loving philosopher, Ilya Brzygalov the Flyers seem to be struggling to win with him in goal.  Cam Ward seems to be in full meltdown mode, I can hear Mr. Fancy twitching and cursing him out from here.  Washington seems to fail at motivating their star and their goalie.  Can't forget about the Devils and Oilers, who think that putting aging goalies in a game is a long term solution.  That one makes me rub my face in exasperation.  

You can go down the line and nitpick every teams and their goaltending.  Tim Thomas needs to keep his mouth shut and stop the pucks, Roberto Luongo needs to not be so Luongo, everyone on with the Islanders need to stay off the IR for more than a game, Carey Price needs to give up the smokes eventually, Minnesota's whole defensive tactic is failing, and the Senators, who made a trade deadline move last year to correct this problem, is still lacking.  The teams that seem to be drama free when it comes to goalies?  Nashville, New York (Rangers that is), Calgary (they just have no defense in front of Kipper), Pittsburgh, and Detroit (but they also have a fantastic defense helping Jimmy out).  

While I don't see many trades happening before this deadline, I can only imagine what the market will look like this summer as teams struggle to find goalies.  It's a scary thought but the contract Pekka Rinne signed this summer could be a hint as to what goalie contract can look like, long term with a high dollar value.  

And it's not like there's a high number of starting goalies currently circulating the NHL, so what kind of impact will this have on the entry draft this summer?  Will we see goalies take priority?  Or will we see teams working more with their minor league affiliates to grow what they already have?  

I guess only time will tell how this goalie dilemma will unfold.