Jake Oettinger wants to be the best goalie in the world.
It’s a lofty goal many of us once shared. But most of us, present company included, are now playing beer league hockey on Tuesday evenings, while the Dallas Stars starter is in a group of five goalies that could actually lay claim to that title sooner than later.
During the 2022-23 season, Oettinger’s first full campaign in the NHL as the guy, he ranked sixth in the NHL in save percentage (.919), seventh in goals against average (2.37) and seventh in goals saved above average (26.18) according to NaturalStatTrick.
He wasn’t a Vezina Trophy finalist, which I don’t have any qualms with, but it was the campaign Oettinger needed to really start his climb toward that “best goalie in the world,” aspirations.
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