The 10th Round Draft Pick That Stopped Everything...

The 10th round draft pick that went on to destroy everyone…
When it comes to hockey, few topics spark more passionate debates than the question of who’s the greatest of all time—especially when we’re talking about goaltenders. With skaters, there's often a general consensus, but goalies? That’s where things get intense.
Take Martin Brodeur, for example. Many consider him the GOAT, pointing to his record-setting wins and shutouts as irrefutable evidence. But some fans argue that Brodeur’s success was largely due to playing behind one of the most dominant defensive systems in NHL history. They believe the New Jersey Devils could have thrived with another elite goalie from that era, like Roberto Luongo. If that sounds like a reach, there's a compelling argument to back it up. In fact, The Hockey Guy did a deep dive into this topic years ago, and his take is definitely worth checking out.
Then, you have Ken Dryden, a goalie who redefined the position during his brief but brilliant career. Many older fans from his time hail him as the greatest, given how much he accomplished in such a short span. However, critics argue that his career wasn't long enough to truly cement his GOAT status. And let’s not forget about legends like Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, Henrik Lundqvist, and Terry Sawchuk. The debate about who reigns supreme between the pipes is one without a clear answer—there are just too many factors and too many worthy contenders.
But Today boys, we’re diving into the story of a goaltender many believe has the strongest case for greatness: Dominik "The Dominator" Hasek. Unorthodox, clutch and a little strange —he was everything you'd expect from a goalie, embracing the madness it takes to stand between the pipes. #dominikhasek #hasek #czechrepublic #nhl #hockey #buffalosabres #detroitredwings #ottawasenators

[MSZFilms]

Thanks so much for watching boys! Be sure to like and subscribe for more, and let me know in the comments who you'd like to see me cover next. Big shoutout to @TotalityProductions for inspiring my thumbnail! While I was researching Hasek for this video, I stumbled across an old video he made with an awesome Hasek-Terminator mashup thumbnail. I knew I had to put my own spin on it, so props to him, go check out his channel and give him a sub!🙏

[derick-smith]

Hasek in the 98 Olympics was the best ever at his absolute peak

[Lv_Murdr_n]

Hasek really is the best goalie ever. Watching him as a kid was so much fun.

[danglesnipecelly]

Man as a die hard wings fan when we acquired him in 01/02 I was so excited as a kid. He was my favorite goalie growing up. What a career and was happy he won a couple of cups here! 02 was such a special season.

[yrtepgold]

I remember when I was in elementary school, I had to go to bed early, well before the Saber's games were finished. Back then ESPN would replay last nights game at 5 am and they would play it without commerical breaks and oftentimes they would cut out the stoppages after a whistle so they could get the entire game into a 60 minute slot. I would wake up at 4:30 and get ready for school and then sit with my eyes glued to the TV gidy with excitement as I got to watch the Dominator do what he did. Such an amazing athlete. Slinky for a spine. That guy was such a treat to watch.

[maxd]

Absolutely incredible video! Id love to see one on Olaf Kolzig if you get a chance, it feels like he's such an underrated and un talked about goalie

[jmarx]

The guy more than earned his nickname "the dominator". Best goalie I ever saw play.

[CapnNutbutter]

In terms of bringing new, sometimes unorthodox technique to the position, he was a pioneer in many ways. He changed and evolved the role imo. If he isn't the goat, he certainly deserves a spot on the mt. Rushmore of hockey goaltenders.

[WarioSaysSo]

There are always valid arguments for who is the greatest goaltender in hockey. It is mostly universal on international level that it is Soviet Vladislav Tretiak (3x Olympic gold + 1 silver medallist,
10x IIHF World championship gold + 2x silver + 1 bronze medallist, Canada Cup gold medalist in 116 INT games), but with NHL there is so many arguments that in a short or simple one is not really possible. The most common arguments that are made are for three ATG legends that each have there valid claims for such recognition:

1. 33# Patrick Roy = 4x Stanley Cups - 1986, 1993, 1996, 2001 + 1 final 1989, 3x Conn Smythe Trophy (play-off MVP) – 1986, 1993, 2001, 3x Vezina Trophy (best goalie) – 1989, 1990, 1992,
5x William M. Jennings Trophy (fewest goals) – 1987*, 1988*, 1989*, 1992, 2002, Calder Trophy (Best rookie) - 1986, 4x NHL first All-Star team – 1989, 1990, 1992, 2002,
2x NHL second All-Star team – 1988, 1991, 11x NHL All-Star player in 18 NHL seasons. His 33# is forever retired by both his teams; Montreal Canadiens & Colorado Avalanche.
Holds several defining NHL records that arguably will never ne toppled. Roy is known for modernising hockey goaltending to what it is today with the hyber-standard and sole inspiration for houndreds of goaltenders that came after him to take with them that inspration to heart.

2. 39# Dominik Hasek = 2x Stanley Cups - 2002, 2008 + 2 finals 1992, 1999, 2x Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP) - 1997, 1998, 2x Lester B. Pearson Award (players vote of MVP) - 1997, 1998,



6x Vezina Trophy - 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 3x William M. Jennings Trophy - 1994, 2001, 2008, 6x NHL First All-Star Team - 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001,
6x NHL All-Star player in 16 NHL seasons. Won the 1998 Olympic gold medal + 2006 bronze and 4x IIHF world championship medals - 1983 silver + 3x bronze medals 1987, 1989, 1990.
His 39# is forever retired by Buffalo Sabres. In any case, Hasek is regarded undisputedly as the greatest European born goaltender in NHL history.

Hasek was on international ice known since 1983, but due to the iron-curtain, his NHL debute did not happen till years after in 1991 at age 26. By the play-offs of 1992 he had made a name in the NHL in Chicago. And from 1994 till his retirement in 2011 was year-by-year his rise to a great legend. Hasek is defined by being a living evidence of two well known terms in hockey for a great goalttender - "A great goalie represents half the team's worth" and "A living wall", two honor badges Hasek represented for close to a full decade worth of a career in a way hard to argue against as not only did Hasek live up to them on stats alone, but how he did so on a team (Buffalo Sabres) that otherwise was at best regarded by critics as mediocre in the NHL with little support from having solid goal scoring or solid defenders. Despite the handicaps, Hasek somehow unlike never seen before or past lifted the Sabres for many years on his own back to carry them not only to make the play-offs 8 of 9 seasons in a era where the East was filled with dominating scores, but 3x far and the grand of the 1999 Stanley Cup finals was ALL his epic work that finaly proved Hasek's work was a whole team's worth. Both in 1997 & 1998 become voted as not only its best goalie, but even twice its MVP! A feat NO OTHER goalie has achived!
And in 1998 when Hasek did the same for his native Czech Republic was just like with Sabres, making a "mediocre" to a champion! How Hasek near alone defeated the major favourites Team Canada and Russia, both team LOADED with NHL super-stars and somehow he stopped there pucks at all costs to help them winning the Olympic gold medal!
At this point in time between 1997-1999, Hasek was undisputed THE best goaltender in the world.
The story is not end as we know but this was epics that solidified his past and future as an ATG goaltender candidate.

How Hasek, like Roy had re-created goaltending with his unique butterfly style of movements that was unlike NO-OTHER goalie past or present. A living wall with being all over the place.
His way of movement at odd angles, odd movement and sharp reflexes combined with reading opponents made him become a goalie that ignited fear in opponent teams, and gave his own team courage to do more then they otherwise was limitid against. Hasek won so much respect and created like Roy a new generation of hockey lovers who wanted to become a goaltender in hockey (Myself, I always pretended I was Hasek when standing in goal and did so even as adult :-)

3. 30# Martin Brodeur = 3x Stanley Cup champion - 1995, 2000, 2003 + finals 2001, 2012, 4x Vezina Trophy - 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 5x William M. Jennings Trophy - 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2010, Calder Trophy - 1994, 3x First All-Star Team - 2003, 2004, 2007, 4x Second All-Star Team - 1997, 1998, 2006, 2008, 9x NHL All-Star player in 21 NHL seasons!
Won 2x Olympic gold medals - 2002 & 2010 and 2x IIHF world championship silver medals - 1996, 2005 with Team Canada.
Brodeur holds numerous NHL and franchise records among goaltenders; he ranks as the league's all-time regular season leader in wins (691), losses (397), shutouts (125), and games played (1, 266). He is one of 14 NHL goaltenders to score a goal in the regular season and the 2nd to do so in the playoffs; his three goals are the most of any NHL goaltender!

Brodeur made himself known for his hybrid style of goaltending by standing up more than typical butterfly style goaltenders, though he adapted to more modern techniques at the latter stage of his career. He was known for his puck handling, his positional play, and his reflexes, especially with his glove hand. Brodeur's prowess at puck handling was so well known that it led in part to the NHL changing its rules to restrict where goaltenders were allowed to handle the puck outside of the goal crease, adding what is known as "the Brodeur rule".

COMPARRISONS:
We have seen the 3 Top cases and all three holds valid claims. To very simply describe there career differences;
Dominik Hasek:
(+) Hasek dominated his position with a weaker team and proved he was worth a whole team's value. Making them win games and reach places they otherwise whould never have reached.
(-) Missed a lot of years from possible NHL play and due to not being in many championships tends to often be lifted against his case.

Martin Brodeur
(+) Brodeur dominated his position on a up-and-coming New Jersey Devils who befor his arrival had for years been a laughingstock of the NHL during the 80's to early 90's. He was allong with it solid defenders Scott Niedermayer & "Dirty" Scott Stevens providing some of the best defensive gameplay ever seen in the NHL and made the Devils a feared team to face as despite not having much of goal scorers, they still had solid trap-gameplay and solid defense combined with elite goaltending.
Having played incredible 21 NHL seasons and won most ever NHL games of all goaltenders is a HUGE record mark!
- Brodeur is often used as a symbol for the term "Dead-Puck-Era", that resilted in fewer goals & points overall, witch benefied his greatness display a lot combined with that in his prime years always held solid protection by the solid defenders Devils had, something that not take away he was performing great but questions how well he would have produced if been on a lesser team or a mediocre team (?).

Patrick Roy
(+) Was already at start a star as he not only became rookie of the year but helped his Montreal Canadiens win the 1986 STanley Cup and winning play-off MVP all at age 19!
From there his career only rose as Roy became fast the stapple of goaltending greatnes, inspiring so many-too-bee goaltenders to follow his path. How Roy again in 1989 took his team to the finals and in 1993 helped them to there still latest Stanley Cup championship. Roy is often described as the last GREAT of the old golden generation dominance of the Montreal Canadiens.
After he left the team in 1996, he instantly became the final piece to what would become a NHL dynasty with the Colorado Avalanche, helping them win there first ever Cup in 1996 and also there 2nd in 2001. He was allong with Joe Sakic & Peter Forsberg discribed as a Trio-dynasty leaders and there epic long rivalry with the Detroit Red Wings still to this days stands out among all NHL rivalries where there was at evrey minute tensions between them. Just how Roy himself had two epic goaltender fights with Mike Vernon & Chris Osgood is a testament of it all!
Roy was never afraid of acing out and never backed-off from a challange from anyone.
(-) Roy carries not the same "holds against" and generally balances his legacy well, but his strong personality and somewhat "self-interest" did not always rubb the right shoulders.
Roy has been somewhat critizised for his lack of supporting Team Canada in international competition such as the Olympics of 2002 and lack of IIHF world championship toirnement participation, that was not related to those years his team(s) went far in the play-offs. The years where that could have happend are; 1987 Wien, 1994 Italy, 1998 Bern and 2003 Helsinki.
(NOTES: 1994 & 2003 Canada won the gold medals. The Avalanche years, in both IIHF 1998 & 2003 tournaments his teammate Peter Forsberg participated for Team Sweden).

CONCLUSSION:
While Brodeur arguably holds the stats, it feels valid to say that he is a Top 3, but not passing over Roy or Hasek. So if the contest would be between Hasek or Roy =
here would be the epic battle of goalies. Personally I can't decide that ONE si the best. They both are so strong arguments for being THE best NHL goalie ever.
I often list Patrick Roy as 1#, but my heart says Hasek, so for myself it is a conflict and I know this is a conflict for a lot of hockey fans as well.
I will let this be up to each- and evreyone to pick there choise.

[jacobkelley]

You are the first young hockey YouTuber I've heard say Daze correctly! I love this channel, keep up the great work!

[wingman]

Grew up playing amateur hockey around buffalo mid to late 90’s. The dominator was always in the news. So many great memories back in the day. Thanks, Dominik!

[canbeast]

I think saying Hasek made saves look effortless is the most underhanded compliment I've ever heard. The guy did everything the hard way rofl

[cliffordangus]

Wow! I don't know why I clicked your video. I look past the suggestions 99% of the time, but for some reason I felt compelled to check out your video. I don't follow hockey as obsessively as I did when I was younger, but I listen to a few podcasts religious to keep up to date. I couldn't tell if it was hasek or datsyuk by the thumbnail. Then felt nostalgia hit me from your smooth and lovely intro reminiscent of my favorite youtubers I love like Secret Base, Summoning Salt, Stark Raving Sports, Sports Storm, Baseball Historian, and Pinholes Graham. I spent a lot of time growing up watching highlights and classic series that included legends and stars like him, so I appreciate the blend of video essay and highlights. Thank you for adding a much needed voice and perspective to the hockey youtube video essay discourse. You have a new subscriber and fan.

[atn]

My favorite 3 as a kid (and still today tbh) all got their videos now! Bure, Lidstrom and now Hasek.

Thanks for the great content, research and memories!

[still-standingrunner]

If Datsyuk (my favorite player since I was a kid (I'm 26)) never got drafted to Detroit, Hasek would be my all time favorite

[sjfsr]

I'm shocked I didn't know this. Brodeur had 50 lbs and 1 inch of height on Hasek, which gave him poise at the net, he was amazing with his stick and glove. What I remember of Hasek is a goalminder who flailed a lot. Hasek did those weird windmill, scorpion and butterfly kicks to save, Brodeur did too but not as much. IDK what I'm getting at. Great memories though.

[codyge]

Absolutely criminal that this video didnt feature any of RJ's many iconic Hasek calls

[jihoffman]

He was great. Watched him single handedly beat the Flyers in two playoff series (I believe 98 and 01). The 97 playoffs thing was super strange. There was also something that went on in the 06 season when he played for Ottawa.

[davelaneve]

My top 5 favorite goalies-
1. Marc Andre Fleurey
2. Dominik Hasek
3. Ed Belfour
4. Martin Brodeur
5. Patrick Roy

[RackEmRack]

My fav Dom memory: Remember when he was on the Wings in a game vs Colorado
And Roy was in a scrum with some players and hasek came down the ice and slipped on someone’s stick like a banana peel. He fell into Roy’s legs and Patrick lost his mind trying to get at Hasek 😂