Anaheim Ducks Player Grades: Jonas Hiller
By Paul Miller
Future
Apr 6, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller (1) gets ready to stop a shot against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s take a look at the past for a moment and look at the years Hiller’s been in the lineup for the Ducks.
Five of the seven years the Ducks made the playoffs. Twice they earned the Pacific Division title.
In 2011 Hiller was named to the All-Star team. In his career (all with the Ducks) he has 162 wins, 110 losses, a save percentage of .916 and a goals against average of 2.51.
These aren’t the kinds of things one can say about a sub-par, unreliable, inconsistent goaltender, and that’s because Jonas Hiller is none of those things. He has a different style of goaltending that makes people uncomfortable, but, for the last five years or so, Hiller has been among the best and most consistent players on the team.
If the coaching staff of the Ducks want to treat him as if he’s over the hill and no better than a back up goalie, then maybe it’s better if Hiller gets out of Anaheim come July. Hiller has earned the right to be trusted to play for his team and if he can’t get that in Anaheim then he should find that elsewhere.
Hiller becomes an unrestricted free agent come July 1. Any team looking for an upgrade in net would be lucky to have him.