Rating the NHL’s 12 Finest Goalie Masks Designs for 2023-24

Typically rankings appear to be a breeze and the ultimate numbers really feel fairly unassailable. Like rating Connor McDavid as the most effective participant within the league.

However rating the most effective of the most effective goalie masks design is an artwork in and of itself—and the precise reverse of unassailable.

There are such a lot of good designs from the artists who put visions collectively for goalies: concepts that vary from old-school tributes, to performs on a nickname, to one thing primarily based on town they play in, to one thing fully out of the depths of everybody’s else’s creativity.

Very similar to the way it goes once we’re rating out our favourite jerseys, the most effective masks artwork is really subjective, and we’re anticipating that there might be rather a lot of differing opinions. And that is OK!

Scouring via photographs and masks artists Instagram pages means the highest 12 we have put collectively modified roughly 100 instances earlier than deciding on this remaining group. There’s simply a lot nice work on the market that we needed to make some cuts.

However tell us within the feedback what you assume and what you imagine we missed the boat on.

There may be a lot to like about Elvis Merzlikins’ masks, particularly should you’re into video video games and legendary golden oldies music.

Merzlikins has a pixelated rendering of Elvis Presley on one aspect of his masks, and when your personal first title is Elvis, it is actually in your greatest curiosity to lean into that as a lot as attainable. Solely as an alternative of a painted portrait of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Merzlikins has a Minecraft-like boxy model of a white jumpsuit-clad Presley on one aspect and a pixelated model of the Blue Jackets brand on the opposite.

It is a actually distinctive model of artwork, and it is one thing I am unable to recall one other participant utilizing as an inspiration for his or her masks earlier than. However Merzlikins doing it, and it is quite a lot of enjoyable to take a look at.

It’s a actually busy look and Merzlikins’ No. 90 in pixels on the chin actually leans into the gamer-like vibe, however he is constantly probably the most artistic goalies in the case of his masks artwork typically.

For an American goalie to play in Toronto, discovering methods to combine in among the good ole U-S-A into gear within the Nice White North may be difficult. For Joseph Woll, he saved it easy with a design that makes us consider Ed Belfour.

Woll’s blue masks has a white bald eagle in profile on either side of it, with realistic-looking white maple leaves adorning the masks in full in front of a brick wall. Should be good to have a final title that may double as the right pun for a goalie, proper?

Woll’s helmet appears like one you’d see within the ’70s or ’80s with its seemingly simplistic design, however this isn’t a fundamental format by any stretch. The extent of design David Gunnarsson put into the reasonable look of the eagles in addition to the leaves is nice, and laying all of it in entrance of a brick wall for punny goodness makes it appear to be it was virtually too simple to provide you with.

Woll is off to an excellent begin with Toronto, and if meaning he will get extra begins and all of us get to see this Belfour-like masks extra typically, then that is a web win for everybody.

If you have not heard by now, Buffalo Sabres goalie Devon Levi is a Star Wars fan. Should you’ve caught one in all his video games, you’ll have seen video of him on his knees in meditation in the same model to Liam Neeson what displayed in Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

That is greater than sufficient inspiration for a goalie masks design, and each Levi’s blue-and-gold masks and his newest red-and-black masks to go together with the Sabres “goat head” alternate jerseys use the power.

His blue-and-gold mask pictured above has lightsabers coming down into the chin in addition to an icy blue buffalo tearing via the one aspect with the Sabres brand etched into the buffalo’s brow. It is a daring, depraved look that actually stands out with the Sabres colours.

His red-and-black helmet has but to see sport motion, however one have a look at it on Instagram exhibits Darth Vader’s purple lightsaber featured via the center of it in addition to power lightning and the Sabres alternate brand from the goat head days on one aspect as properly. It additionally has the phrases, “Might the power be with you” and extra Star Wars dialogue on it as properly.

Star Wars followers rejoice, one in all our personal has gone all-in with bringing the seems to be to the ice.

Easy is typically the easiest way to go a few masks design, particularly when it performs properly with the set of pads and gloves. That is the way in which Jake Allen went about it for his Montreal Canadiens masks this season.

A white helmet with the Canadiens brand on the crown appears fundamental, and it’s, however it’s the thick purple and blue stripes on the perimeters that in the first place look appear commonplace. However whenever you take a better have a look at the detail from Sylabrush, the glittering purple and blue actually pops and provides one other facet to it that stands proud.

The fleur-de-lis-like design on the chin in what seems to be virtually like neon purple and blue seems to be nice, and there are extra private designs on the again plate for good touches as properly. We get it, it is easy, however the way in which the masks pops with the simplicity of his leg pads, blocker and trapper makes all of it look actually, actually clear.

Nevertheless it’s the masks that ties all of it collectively so properly. Fundamental magnificence continues to be magnificence and Allen’s masks is an actual gem.

In the case of making a design which can be each actually nice and terrifying to take a look at, Nashville’s No. 1 man, Juuse Saros, knocks it out of the park with his new look.

Saros’ masks encompasses a tackle a deep-cut Predators alternate brand, the cranium of a sabre tooth tiger, prominently on the crown. It is grim to take a look at and genuinely creepy and unsettling to see. Humorous how skulls have that impact, proper?

The fangs of the tiger go from the highest to the masks down beneath the cage the place Saros’ No. 74 is scratched out artistically. If it wasn’t so brightly coloured, you would name it a gothic form of look because of the cranium. Happily, the one factor that may trigger nightmares is how Saros shuts down opposing scorers.

The edges of the masks have the Predators’ precise brand in profile, and it has blue and gold paint splatters as properly. It is a depraved look from David Gunnarsson and positively haunting to see.

The best method to turn into a favourite of a fanbase is to pay tribute to the followers. Cam Talbot picked out one specific Los Angeles Kings fan to honor together with his new masks: Will Ferrell.

The comic is about as huge of a Kings fan as you will discover, and he is virtually at all times in attendance at video games. Talbot made certain to have Ferrell’s Anchorman character, Ron Burgundy, featured prominently on his newest great thing about a masks.

Talbot’s had an extended historical past of getting among the most enjoyable designs all through his profession. Final season he had Deadpool adorning his masks with the Ottawa Senators. Hey, Ryan Reynolds was eager about shopping for the staff, so why not, proper? Going with Deadpool was a departure from his common Ghostbusters-inspired designs he is used previously with the Wild, Rangers and Oilers.

This time round, the cinematic silver-and-black look with Ferrell’s Burgundy in profile everywhere in the one aspect and the traditional Kings crown on the opposite, makes for a very enjoyable design.

What’s upsetting about it’s the reminder that Anchorman got here out practically 20 years in the past in 2004. You imply we have to cite newer films?! I am in a glass case of emotion over right here.

With the Boston Bruins celebrating their a centesimal anniversary this season, it is introduced the most effective out of all of their designs. From the right set of uniforms they’re carrying this season to the gear each Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman are rocking, all of it seems to be stupendous.

However Ullmark’s masks, designed by David Gunnarsson, is ready to pay tribute to 2 of probably the most unimaginable moments from Bruins historical past: Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup-winning purpose in 1970 and the Patrice Bergeron game-winning purpose within the Bruins’ third-period comeback in Sport 7 in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013 wherein they overcame a 4-1 deficit to win 5-4.

The masks has the Bruins brand on either side, with two bruin silhouettes on either side, every with a picture from these moments. The masks additionally has the game-winning-goal scoring particulars on prime of the masks. It is an attractive, distinctive search for a one-year particular of a masks. We’re certain that upsetting Leafs followers is only a bonus for Ullmark on this design.

If the Washington Capitals ever determine they wish to return to the “screaming eagle” brand of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Darcy Kuemper is properly ready for that day.

Kuemper’s masks this season appears like a throwback to Olaf Kolzig’s days in purpose, however it’s very distinctly new. Kuemper has the screaming eagle in purple, white and blue on the entrance and the Capitals alternate brand “Weagle” on either side of the masks.

Combine in some stars and his No. 35 on the chin in the identical font from the screaming eagle days and it is a very nice fashionable activate a semi-classic look that is made a comeback in recent times because of the staff’s Reverse Retro jerseys.

David Gunnarsson was the designer of this look, and it is such a distinctly Capitals masks that it sings. If the Capitals are going to battle this season, at the very least Kuemper will look good making an attempt to maintain the staff in video games.

Igor Shesterkin is at all times among the finest goalies within the NHL, however he is additionally one of many best-dressed netminders in the case of his masks artwork 12 months to 12 months.

The purple, white and blue masks with a color-swapped Girl Liberty on the perimeters this season actually stands out in its uniqueness. It may be simple to do an excessive amount of with the Rangers brand or letters and numbers, however this masks from the king of masks artwork design, David Gunnarsson, is a throwback form of look with some fashionable enchantment.

The reverse destructive of the Statue of Liberty is what actually stands proud on this, which makes you consider Mike Richter’s masks from the ’90s—however it’s nothing in any respect like that. One thing Gunnarsson has labored into a lot of his current designs is a form of 3D impact, and it is obvious sufficient on this one to make it look actually good but additionally form of disturbing.

However seeing “Rangers” down the aspect within the staff font with stripes in addition to Shesterkin’s No. 31 on the chin, helps add to the throwback form of model that is occurring with this masks.

Not each masks must have intricate designs or particular tips throughout the format to make the artwork look three dimensional or play tips in your eyes. Typically making one thing easy and clear may be good, and that is exactly what Detroit’s Ville Husso has carried out for his masks this season.

This paint job from Joni Hallikainen feels just like the form of masks you’ll’ve seen a Crimson Wings goalie put on again within the day. The traces are clear and the design makes the masks look each a part of the wings—from the emblem on the perimeters to the quantity on the chin, which is simply easy and exquisite.

There’s part of the Hockey Corridor of Fame in Toronto that has masks from previous eras, and Husso’s seems to be like one which was taken straight from that exhibit. It is daring and purple and distinctly Detroit, and with the Wings successful as a rule, it is the form of masks you would’ve seen Mike Vernon carrying for them within the mid-’90s.

With how easy and ideal the design of Crimson Wings uniforms is, having a masks that matches that look and do it one higher is admittedly spectacular.

Goalies paying tribute to athletes from town they play in or different celebrities from there may be fairly widespread, however Jacob Markstrom did one higher by bringing the Man in Black, Johnny Money to his masks this 12 months.

Maybe the largest hit of Money’s profession, Ring of Fireplace performs rather well with Calgary’s staff moniker and that and different music titles may be discovered across the face of the masks together with numerous photos of Money with guitar in hand.

Jordon Bourgeault designed this mask for Markstrom, and he additionally did his unimaginable masks for the Heritage Basic that resembled a knitted version of the cranium masks Markstrom wore in earlier seasons with the Flames.

The artwork with Money and the theme spanning his profession and tying it into the Flames’ good shade scheme makes this masks a wonderful piece of labor. Markstrom is a big fan of Money (who would not be, actually?) and paying tribute to him like this was a very cool thought.

My goodness, have a look at this magnificence.

First off, the glittering gold all through the masks stands out instantly. The masks combined together with his gear setup makes him perhaps the best-dressed goalie on the ice within the NHL, however this masks hits all the appropriate notes.

It is received a form of ’90s/’00s traditional model to it together with his nickname on the entrance beneath the cage. It is received an intricate design throughout the face of the masks itself to offer it the Roman gladiator form of really feel we have come to anticipate from Senators goalies previously. Plus, there’s just a little little bit of historical past in there as properly, with Marvin the Martian making an look in a nod to Patrick Lalime, who made Marvin the primary character on his Sens goalie masks again within the day.

That is one other incredible piece of work from Sylvie Marsolais and Alexandre Mathys in Québec. It is the form of masks that just about makes you say, “They do not make them like that anymore…” besides they are making them like that.

Clearly, we have an enormous ole tender spot for masks carried out within the supremely traditional Eighties model, however Korpisalo’s masks has sufficient of the outdated feels to go together with all the brand new and enjoyable options to essentially demand our consideration. Due to all that and being aesthetically pleasing, it will get the highest spot on our record.