Was Ken Dryden The Greatest Goaltender Ever?

Published on October 17th, 2023 4:13 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Ken Dryden had a relatively short career in the NHL, as he elected to retire at the age of 31 to pursue a career as a lawyer.

During his eight-year career in the NHL, Dryden compiled some stupifyingly good statistics and accolades, including:

Calder Trophy
6 Stanley Cups
5 Vezinas
6 All-Star appearances

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Over the course of his storied career, Dryden would compile some pretty eye-popping statistics.

One of the craziest stats?

Ken Dryden would finish his career with almost as many shutouts (46) as losses (57).

Over the course of his career, Dryden would compile a lifetime record of 258-57-74.

Over the course of his career, Dryden would notch no fewer than 4 shutouts in a season.

In 1976-77, Dryden would post 10 shutouts in just 56 games, which notching a GAA of just 2.14.

Dryden would post double-digit losses just twice in his career, as he would lose 10 games in both 1975-76 and 1978-79.

Dryden would allow just 870 goals over the course of his career, for a lifetime GAA of just 2.24.

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Dryden would retire at the age of 31 to pursue his law career.

He might have gotten out at the perfect time, as the days of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty were drawing to a close, soon to be replaced by the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers.

Dryden's numbers were awe-inspiring, and despite his relatively short career, you could certainly make an argument that he was the greatest NHL goaltender of all time.