S3 Ep5: Inside the Crease: Steve Valiquette on Hellebuyck and the Science of Goaltending.

John Shannon and Daren Millard are joined by former NHL goaltender and Clear Sight Analytics CEO Steve Valiquette for a deep dive into the position and some of the biggest goaltending questions around the NHL.

With Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg uncertain, Steve breaks down what makes the three-time Vezina Trophy winner so valuable and why he believes Carolina could be an ideal fit. The guys examine Hellebuyck’s numbers, the teams that could benefit most from adding him, and what an elite goaltender can change for a contender.

Steve also gets into the details of modern goaltending, explaining the importance of positioning, angle control and playing off the old crease line. He breaks down how a goalie’s depth changes as a rush develops and why seemingly small positional decisions can have such a significant impact.

The conversation then dives into the numbers behind scoring. Steve explains the work being done by Clear Sight Analytics, how the company evaluates scoring opportunities, and what the data can tell us about where and how goals are being created across the NHL.

Plus, John, Daren and Steve discuss some of the major stories around the league, including the latest injuries and Alex Ovechkin’s announcement that this season will be the final one of his legendary NHL career.