Assessing Goalie Draft and Development Success in the NHL
- 322 NHL-affiliated goaltenders drafted between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed to measure draft ROI using games played and trade value as return metrics.
- Draft position alone does not determine goaltender success — the study compares invested value against actual on-ice and trade returns.
- Geographic trends reveal which countries are consistently producing the most viable NHL goaltending prospects over the past decade.
- Specific NHL organizations show measurable differences in their ability to identify and develop drafted goaltenders into NHL contributors.
- Former Detroit Red Wings European consultant Maciej Szwoch compiled the dataset, which NHL teams have already begun inquiring about for internal use.
Ever wonder who is doing the best job drafting and developing NHL goalies?
Which countries are producing the best prospects? What about specific teams?
Is there an ideal size for NHL drafted goalies? How long should a drafted goalie be left to develop in their home leagues before moving into the North American pro path? Does it make a difference?
Maciej Szwoch set out to answer those questions with this study into the past 10 years of goalie drafting and development in the NHL and agreed to let InGoal Magazine publish his findings along with his feature guest appearance on Episode 319 of the InGoal Radio Podcast this week.
It isn’t the first time as a podcast guest for Szwoch, who spent the past 14 years coaching the highest levels in his native Sweden and appeared on Episode 171 after winning an SHL championship with Farjestad. He’s also worked with the Swedish national team at multiple levels, including the 2025 World Championship, and spent seven years as a European consultant with the Detroit Red Wings.
Szwoch, who also does private coaching through a new venture, MSP Goaltending, explained on the podcast that the data he compiled to complete this detailed study can be used to answer even more questions about the draft-and-development process, but with some NHL teams already reaching out to inquire he was still gracious enough to use it to help answer the key questions above.
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