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All-Time Stars: The top 5 goalies in Dallas Stars history

By John Grux |
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 26: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 26: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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It is T-minus 15 days from the Dallas Stars first regular season game against the New York Rangers. As we do each preseason, Blackout Dallas attempts to entertain fans with our “All-Time Stars” series. Today, we’re delivering the top 5 goal-tenders in Dallas Stars history, as we see it.

5. Andy Moog (1993-1997)

Anton Khudobin is closing in on this spot, but for now, it belongs to Andy Moog.

Moog was traded to the Minnesota North Stars just before relocation to Dallas in 1993. Standing at 5-8, the British Columbia native was one of the shorter goalies in Dallas Stars history. However, Moog was as tough as nails and flashed incredible durability throughout his career. Moog’s tenure in Dallas was only 4 seasons long, but his 175 starts prove that he shouldered a hefty workload.

Andy Moog’s 3.27 GAA and .894 SV% in 1993-94 are a bit misleading. The then-33-year old struggled with transition to a new team earlier in the year. However, Moog’s play improved in the second half of the season and contributed to the Stars finishing 3rd in the Central Division. As a result, Dallas returned to the playoffs, but were upset in the conference semifinals.

Moog also contributed to the Stars making playoff runs in 1994-95 and 1996-97. His time in Dallas included 75 wins, a 2.74 GAA, and .904 SV%.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 01: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 01, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Stars defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 01: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 01, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Stars defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Ben Bishop (2017-Present)

In a history cluttered with goalie instability and obscurity, Ben Bishop stands out. Some fans seem to have forgotten just how good Bishop has been since joining the Dallas Stars.

Bishop was a premier NHL goalie before a meniscus tear sidelined him for all of 2020-21. Prior to the injury, the Stars rode Bishop’s 2.50 GAA and .920 SV% into and through the 2020 playoff bubble.

Bishop’s best season was in 2018-19, when he tallied 27 wins, a 1.98 GAA, and league-leading .934 SV% across 46 starts. The Colorado native’s performance resulted in a 2nd place finish in 2019 Vezina Trophy voting. Bishop also received Hart Trophy consideration (19th) and was selected to the All-Star game.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Bishop and how much longer he will be in Dallas. Now 34, the veteran goalie is back on the ice and attempting to work his way back to game action. The Stars will have a tough decision to make, should Bishop receive full medical clearance.

The Dallas Stars goalie room currently includes proven veterans Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin.

DALLAS, TX – MARCH 23: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars blocks a shot during pregame warm up before the Stars take on the Buffalo Sabres at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 23: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars blocks a shot during pregame warm up before the Stars take on the Buffalo Sabres at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2015 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

3. Kari Lehtonen (2010-2018)

Kari Lehtonen’s 445 games played over 9-years is the 2nd most in Dallas Stars modern day history.

Of Lehtonen’s most notable seasons, none is arguably as impressive as 2013-14. Then age 30, Lehtonen led all NHL goalies with 65 games-played and an incredible, 3,804 minutes of time on ice. The Finnish net-minder was nothing short of an iron man and earned an 8th place finish in 2014 Vezina Trophy voting.

Lehtonen was charged with protecting the net during some of the darkest days in Dallas Stars history. The team only made the playoffs twice (2013-14, 2015-16) during Lehtonen’s tenure with both appearances ending early.

Lehtonen was a fan favorite while in Dallas and was often the face of player and community outreach events. He finished his career with the Stars having tallied a .912 SV% and 2.63 GAA.

DALLAS – APRIL 08: Goaltender Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on April 8, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS – APRIL 08: Goaltender Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on April 8, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Marty Turco (2000-2010)

There is an argument for Marty Turco to have the top spot on our “All-Time Stars” list of goalies. Turco’s span of 509 games over 9 seasons is tops among all Minnesota North Stars and Dallas Stars goalies.

The Dallas Stars selected Turco in the 5th round of the 1994 entry draft. The Ontario native burst onto the scene at the age of 25, achieving a .925 SV% and 1.90 GAA in 26 appearances. Turco earned Calder Trophy finalist honors and cemented himself as the Stars franchise net-minder.

Marty Turco ascended to stardom in 2002-03 with a league-leading .932 SV% and 1.73 GAA. His performance was also instrumental to the Stars 2003 playoff run.

If there was any damper on Turco’s career, it is that the Dallas Stars consistently flopped in the playoffs. He won 41 games during the 2005-06 season, but Dallas was upset by Colorado in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Turco’s 32 wins during the 2007-08 regular season also propelled the Stars to the playoffs. However, Dallas lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 Western Conference finals.

Marty Turco is special to many fans because his era overlapped with the time many of us became Stars diehards. Turco is also only one of two Dallas Stars to appear on the cover of a video game.

TORONTO – MARCH 16: Goaltender Ed Belfour #20 of the Dallas Stars stetches on the ice before the NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Stars and Maple Leafs tied 5-5. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI)
TORONTO – MARCH 16: Goaltender Ed Belfour #20 of the Dallas Stars stetches on the ice before the NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Stars and Maple Leafs tied 5-5. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI) /

1. Ed Belfour (1997-2002)

Ed Belfour was somewhat of a well-traveled goalie during his NHL career, but his stint with the Dallas Stars was special. It remains incredible that Belfour accomplished so much while only spending 5 seasons with Big D.

Belfour’s 2.19 GAA in Dallas is tops among all Stars goalies with more than 55 starts. His .910 SV% isn’t too shabby, either. Of course, the crown jewel of Belfour’s tenure was hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Belfour shined during the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs and was instrumental to the Stars Western Conference Finals upset of the Colorado Avalanche. The Manitoba native limited the Avalanche to 4 goals in the first 3 games and 1 goal per contest in games 6 and 7.

It does not get much better than Belfour’s 1997-98 to 2000-01 stretch. During such time, the goalie earned 4 All-Star selections, the Jennings Trophy, and Hart and Vezina finalist honors in each season. Belfour also led the NHL in GAA (1.88) in 1997-98 and SV% (.919) in 2000-01.

When considering all that has been accomplished while tending goal for the Dallas Stars, Eddie Belfor reigns supreme.

Next. All-Time Stars: Top 5 forwards in Stars history. dark

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