Is It Too Early to Consider Jonathan Quick Greatest of All Time?

Photo © Harry How/Getty Images

If you are wondering, yes Jonathan Quick made that save. The above photo is from last night’s match up between two hockey powerhouses: the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings, which L.A. won 6-4. Oddly enough Quick had an uncharacteristic day giving up 4 goals, but the Blues are seventh in the league in goals per game, so this average day could be forgiven.

Either way, Jonathan Quick has emerged in the league as a preverbal powerhouse goaltender, who has dominated in clutch moments winning two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. In the 2014-15 campaign he sits on the season 13-8-5, with three shutouts, a GAA of 2.30 and save percentage of .924. In his short eight seasons as an Los Angeles King, he has boasted great numbers — .916, 2.28, 189 wins and 34 shutouts — which if he keeps going will push him into the conversation of greatest of all time. But is it too early to say greatest of all time and his name in the same sentence?

His career numbers are actually largely similar to Martin Brodeur — who many consider to be the greatest: both started off rocky in their first season, but by their fifth year in the NHL were posting career best stats in the aforementioned category — Brodeur had a .927 saving percentage, 1.88 GAA and 10 shutouts, while Quick was .929, 1.95 and also had 10 shutouts.

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Of course, Brodeur continued these numbers more than a decade later: even if you find the old man overrated, one has to admit Brodeur was consistent and was clutch in big moments. Most importantly, he won three Stanley Cups in five appearances: and Quick has the possibility to top this, especially with the dynasty that both GM Dean Lombardi and Coach Darryl Sutter created.

But the one thing that is certain about this comparison is only time will tell: will the L.A. Kings remain as successful as previous years and will Quick be able to maintain a championship caliber as he gets older? Who knows, yet everyone looks forward to finding out.

The Los Angeles Kings are tied for third in the Pacific Division with a record of 16-11-6 (38 points).