Depth management is a goalie’s ability to adjust their positioning in the crease—playing further out or deeper—based on the situation. Too often, goalies are told to play more aggressively, but that approach isn’t always the best. Instead, the key is to read the game at a high level and make smart depth decisions based on those reads.
In this section, we’ll break down a series of NHL clips to analyze depth management in real game situations. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to depth—it varies with each unique play. However, by studying how elite goalies adjust their depth in different scenarios, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of this crucial skill. Mastering depth management can elevate your game instantly, and this section of our toolbox will show you how.
Connor Hellebuyck has become one of my favorite goalies in the league because he defies a lot of the noise I hear about goaltending and development in general. First off, he was a late bloomer. He played high school in Michigan, played 1 year of Tier 2 Juniors in the NAHL, was passed over his initial draft year, then taken in the 5th round by Winnipeg in 2012. The rest is history as he burst onto the pro scene after a couple years of college and is now one of the best goaltenders in the world.
Not only does he have a great story though, every head coach should watch him play a game. Yes, he is 6’4 and your 10 year old is not. However, you can learn a lot about how to read the game and make decisions from Connor Hellebuyck. In my mind, he is clearly one of the smartest goalies in the league. He is athletic but not overly athletic. He can move but I wouldn’t say he has elite quickness for the NHL level. But he is RARELY out of position for any shot. His depth management and decision making is as elite as it gets.
On these 2 plays, which both originate from below the goal line where all goalies should be in a defensive depth position, he displays high IQ by keeping his back leg anchored flat across the goal line instead of hinging out. This is a small detail that is likely overlooked without dissecting like we are now, but that is a form of depth management. That is understanding the situation and knowing where the threats are and how to maximize your coverage as quick as possible. Hellebuyck is able to make a couple very difficult saves look easy due to good reads and his strong depth management. Especially on the second shot, had he not stayed in a defensive depth position and slid out instead of straight across, it is likely a goal against as he would have been late getting to his spot. Take a look!
Let’s Talk Power Play!
Modern power plays are all about movement and high-skill execution. With most teams deploying a 1-3-1 formation, there’s a ton of lateral puck movement as they look to create high-quality scoring chances rather than just taking low-percentage shots.
For goalies, this means managing depth carefully by playing more conservatively to combat the puck movement against a power play. In this video, we see Joseph Woll doing an excellent job of this by staying mostly in the middle of the crease throughout the sequence.
As the puck moves laterally, Woll prioritizes staying on angle and square, ensuring he’s set and ready for a shot from any position. Notice how he slides across the crease with great awareness, understanding that he’s facing the greatest goal scorer in hockey history on the left flank (Woll’s right).
What stands out is Woll’s smart depth management. When he recognizes that he has a moment to gain a bit of depth, he does so—but not too much. He stays conservative enough to respect the other threats on the ice, knowing that on the penalty kill, there will always be an open man.
If Woll had gained too much depth, Ovechkin’s play to the net likely would have resulted in a goal, as Woll would’ve been scrambling and leaving a lot of net exposed. Instead, by staying in control and managing his depth wisely, Woll is able to make the save against one of the most dangerous power plays in the league.
This clip is a perfect example of why conservative depth management is so effective on the penalty kill—it keeps the goalie balanced, square, and ready for high-quality chances without overcommitting.
In this clip, Dustin Wolf makes two great reads that highlight his hockey IQ and positioning.
First, when the puck is played up the wall to the San Jose defenseman, Wolf recognizes there’s no backdoor threat, allowing him to step off his post, gain a bit of depth, and get square to the potential shot in an overlap position. This is a smart read because:
The San Jose player is on his forehand and could make a play to the net.
There’s no backdoor option, so Wolf can safely gain depth and play outside the post.
From this position, he can handle a shot and control rebounds better than if he stayed tight to his post, potentially jamming himself or sending a rebound to the middle of the ice.
As the San Jose player moves down the wall, Wolf hinges back into his post, gets a bit flatter and undersquare, and prepares for a pass. When the puck moves to the top of the zone, he steps out atop his crease and confidently tracks the shot with traffic approaching.
I like this clip because Wolf holds his ground instead of playing deep or retreating from the screen. He tracks the puck well, makes a clean glove save, and controls the rebound by freezing it. It’s a great example of smart depth management and poise in traffic situations.
Elite Depth Management & Path Efficiency by Thatcher Demko
This power play clip showcases Thatcher Demko’s exceptional hockey IQ, depth management, and path efficiency, with lessons that apply to any game situation.
First, as the puck moves up the wall, Demko gains depth and sets up at the top of his crease with a Flames player alone in front for a potential tip. This is a smart read because when facing point shots with a screen, it’s crucial to take away the angle from where the tip might occur. Essentially, a tipped puck is like a new shot from the point of deflection. By playing atop his crease, Demko ensures that if the puck is tipped, it won’t see any net behind him. In contrast, playing deeper would increase the chance of a deflection finding open space.
As the play moves down low, Demko smartly hinges into a defensive, flat position while anchored in RVH, preparing for a pass to either the slot or across the crease. When the pass goes to the high-danger area in the slot, Demko quickly recovers to his feet and is immediately on angle and square due to his hinge back while in RVH. He then gains depth to the top of his crease as the puck moves to the most dangerous spot on the ice, giving the Calgary player little to shoot at.
When Calgary makes one more pass to the right flank for a one-timer, Demko shows incredible IQ and athleticism by taking a diagonal path to the puck. This is a great example of elite path efficiency. In goaltending, depth management isn’t just about where you stand—it’s about how you get there. Had Demko slid straight across instead of diagonally, he would have been late and out of position, leaving the net wide open.
Instead, by taking the shortest, most efficient path, Demko arrives on angle and square in time to make the save, demonstrating his elite ability to read the play, adjust his depth, and use athleticism to his advantage. This clip is a masterclass in depth management, path efficiency, and high-level goaltending IQ.
