On Sunday night, New York Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick achieved a significant career milestone with a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. This win marks the 400th of Quick's career, making him the first American-born goalie to reach this landmark and only the 15th in NHL history. Alongside his two Stanley Cup victories, Quick's illustrious career is likely heading toward a well-deserved induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. With this achievement, it is an opportune moment to reflect on his legacy and rank him among the top-10 best American-born goalies in NHL history, taking into account individual statistics, awards, and the context of their performances during their respective eras.

John Gibson's career can be viewed in two distinct phases: the first six years and the subsequent six years. Although he generated excitement in the early part of his journey, the past few seasons have not been as fruitful. Therefore, the 31-year-old may not be afforded as much leniency, particularly since his contract has been a strain on the Anaheim Ducks' salary cap. Despite these recent struggles, Gibson had once established himself as a top goalie, leading the Ducks to a Western Conference Final and reaching the milestone of 200 career wins, all while maintaining a commendable save percentage of .910.

Ben Bishop, while lacking individual accolades or championships, enjoyed a six-year stretch where he was considered among the elite goalies in the league. The Denver native consistently finished in the top 10 for save percentage and attained Vezina Trophy finalist honors three times. His career was cut short by injury during the 2019-20 season, yet he had solidified his reputation as a premier netminder before that setback.

In the past with the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers, John Vanbiesbrouck excelled as a goaltender. Notably, he secured a Vezina Trophy and led the 1995-96 Panthers—a third-year expansion franchise—on a remarkable journey to the Stanley Cup Final. Vanbiesbrouck currently ranks third in all-time wins among U.S.-born goalies. Despite his impressive start, he faced challenges with individual and team success in later stages of his career, particularly following an incident that tarnished his reputation while coaching in junior hockey, though he now serves as the general manager of the U.S. men's Olympic team.

Ryan Miller’s outstanding career is somewhat overshadowed by the subpar teams he played for in Buffalo, Vancouver, and Anaheim, resulting in limited playoff opportunities—only seven throughout his career, five of which he was a full-time starter. The East Lansing, Michigan native boasts a Vezina Trophy and was consistently rated as a top-10 goalie during his prime, predominantly while with the Buffalo Sabres. He ranks second on the all-time wins list for American-born goalies, yet lacks the team success and moments of brilliance that some higher-ranked goaltenders achieved.

Mike Richter stands out not only as a New York Rangers legend but also as one of the top goalies of the 1990s, regardless of nationality. His crowning achievement came during the 1993-94 season, helping the Rangers end a 54-year Stanley Cup drought with a remarkable playoff performance, including a .921 save percentage across 23 games and four shutouts. Additionally, Richter earned both an Olympic silver medal and a World Cup of Hockey gold medal, though his career was marred by injuries that limit potential discussions around his legacy.

Jonathan Quick's career narrative is multifaceted, characterized by durability, consistency, and notable highs. His standout achievements came during the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons, particularly in playoffs where he delivered legendary performances, including an astonishing .946 save percentage across 20 games during the 2011-12 postseason run—a record for goalies with a minimum of 20 games played. While those highlights greatly enhance perceptions of Quick, it is important to recognize that his performance varied, and for much of his career he was a very good, above-average goalie. Nonetheless, his mix of short-term success and long-term reliability positions him favorably for eventual consideration into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Looking ahead, there is potential for Connor Hellebuyck to ascend this ranking, especially if he adds a Stanley Cup or Olympic gold medal to his accomplishments. While team success has thus far eluded him, it is crucial to acknowledge that he has not always had ample support from his teammates. The Winnipeg Jets largely rely on Hellebuyck's exceptional abilities. The 31-year-old possesses two Vezina Trophies, currently ranks second among active NHL goalies for save percentage, and sits 14th all-time, reinforcing the notion that he may eventually secure a legacy comparable to the all-time greats.

Comparisons across eras prove challenging, particularly when addressing goaltenders from the Original Six era, whose performances might be less accessible to contemporary audiences. However, regarding competitiveness, Frank Brimsek certainly deserves a high rank on this list. Hailing from Eveleth, Minnesota, Brimsek was a dependable force for the Boston Bruins, regularly among the league's leaders in games played, wins, goals against average, and shutouts, leading to two Stanley Cup victories. Together with Tom Barrasso, he is one of only two American-born goalies inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, underlining the significance of his resume from his era.

Tim Thomas's career raises questions regarding the merit of his high ranking given that he did not fully establish himself as a regular NHL player until the age of 31 and only played 426 regular-season games. However, the excellence he exhibited in those appearances speaks volumes. Thomas is known for his short-term brilliance and unyielding dominance, capturing two Vezina Trophies, a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and leading the league in save percentage twice. During his peak from 2005-06 to 2011-12, he showcased performances that set him apart—none of the 51 goalies who participated in at least 150 games during that period eclipsed his regular-season save percentage. In the playoffs, he maintained a .933 save percentage, a remarkable achievement.

Tom Barrasso boasts an impressive list of accomplishments within the NHL. Notably, he guided the early 1990s Pittsburgh Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup championships while winning the Vezina Trophy and Calder Trophy as an 18-year-old rookie. Barrasso earned five Vezina Trophy finalist nominations and remains one of only two American-born goalies enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Although his 369 wins place him fourth on the all-time list, it is essential to recognize that he played his entire career during the non-shootout era, unlike Jonathan Quick, who has accumulated significant wins in shootout situations. Barrasso's statistics may differ from modern-level goalies, yet evaluating him within the context of his own era underscores his standing as one of the finest goalkeepers of his time.