Here’s a common hockey phrase: “He won the job out of training camp.” I know you’ve heard it. I’ve even been told it. But how often is a spot actually up for grabs? And is it sustainable throughout the course of a season?

Answering those questions isn’t easy because every team and situation is different. Going into the 2022-23 NHL season, several organizations need clarity in the goal crease. And I’m not convinced it’ll happen until late in the season – if at all.

Here are four Western Conference NHL teams destined for a goaltending battle.

COLORADO AVALANCHE: Pavel Francouz & Alexandar Georgiev

In early July, the Avalanche sent a package of draft picks to the New York Rangers in exchange for Georgiev. And it would have been easy to assume that the 26-year old netminder from Belarus would be the defending Stanley Cup Champion’s new starting goaltender.

But don’t count out Francouz. While he rode shotgun to Darcy Kuemper during the regular season, Francouz played meaningful games during the Stanley Cup playoffs. And he hasn’t had a save percentage below .916 in over a decade of pro hockey across four different leagues.

The only knock is that Francouz is 32 years old and has yet to play more than 34 games in an NHL season. But the experience level is the same for Georgiev, who was unable to claim the Rangers crease over the span of five seasons.

Georgiev’s save percentage has declined every year of his pro career in North America. Last year he saved less than 90 percent of shots faced. That won’t cut it in Denver.

I think Georgiev still has potential. But he’s a project. Francouz is coming off a Stanley Cup championship. Colorado is in win-now mode. And I think Francouz – if he can stay healthy – has the inside track to play more games for the Avalanche.

LOS ANGELES KINGS: Jonathan Quick & Cal Petersen

I don’t think last season went as planned in the Kings goal crease. Petersen was supposed to take over for Quick. But Petersen faltered and Quick started off the season in vintage form. The two-time Stanley Cup champion ended up playing 46 games to Petersen’s 37.

But for all the accolades Quick brings, and the potential Petersen has shown previously, the Kings are in a precarious spot. Unless changes have been made over the offseason, neither Petersen nor Quick possesses the technical chops required to be consistent in today’s NHL.

Both goaltenders won more than 20 games for the Kings last year. But Petersen’s .895 save percentage is concerning. And so is his contract. The 2022-23 season is the first of a three-year deal worth $5 million annually for Petersen.

That’s a huge dollar figure for a goaltender with just 91 NHL games on his resume, especially with a career. 908 save percentage. Petersen has to be better this year, or his contract will be a boat anchor.

When Quick is locked in, he can still steal games. But this is a huge season for Petersen, and I think the Kings will do everything possible to make him succeed. The team’s future in goal hangs in the balance.

SAN JOSE SHARKS: James Reimer & Kaapo Kahkonen

Last season was supposed to be a reset in the Sharks crease. Reimer was signed to be the steady veteran, and Adin Hill was brought in via trade from the Arizona Coyotes to be the goalie of the future in San Jose.