Nothing is more important in eliminating defensive zone turnovers and creating more team offense with a "good breakout" than a quality puck exchange between the Goaltender and his defense.
A well coordinated "handoff" cuts down on the opponent’s forechecking, eliminates defensive confusion, trims down on scoring chances against, and helps get the puck up quickly to the forwards. This all translates to fewer goals against, more goals for . . . and of course . . . more wins!
There are two basic ways a goaltender can gain puck possession.
First, is when a puck is dumped on, or near the goal. The second, is when the puck is shot "hard around" the boards. First and foremost, there needs to be communication between the defense and goaltender.
Not only on the ice, but all possible situations should be discussed, with the coaches’ input off the ice. Everybody needs to be on the same page. Terminology needs to be consistent. The goalie must know what the defenseman likes, and whether he is a left or right shot. For me, I normally like the Defensemen to initiate "the decision".
Of course, the goaltender can adjust or override that decision because he often has a better view of the entire ice.
Things to think about are: a) Is the defenseman a left or right shot? b) Where does the defenseman like the puck? c) How much forechecking pressure is there? d) Are the team’s wingers in place for a pass?

Pucks Dumped On Goal
Situation 1
The puck is dumped on goal. The defenseman has space on the forechecker. The goaltender should leave the puck behind the goal line, away from the net. It is often easier for the goalie to "sweep the puck" to that spot on the glove side.
Be aware that for a right handed defenseman, the puck needs to be a bit further away from the net than for a left hander because: a) we want the defenseman to pick the puck up on his forehand. b) We want him to have the option of going behind the net, passing cleanly to his defense partner or forward, or turning into the near corner (we call this turning short side) and making a play. The goaltender should not overhandle the puck. Position the puck and get your stick out of the way. Don’t move the puck after positioning it.
Most defensemen will take their eyes off the puck after it is positioned to look over their shoulder, in order to read the forecheck and see where his teammates may be. He expects the puck to be in the same location where he last saw it.

Situation 2
The puck is dumped on goal, but the forechecker is right on the defenseman. In this case, the goalie and defenseman have a "set play". Just inside the slot area, the defenseman allows the forechecker to approach the goaltender who is now in possession of the puck moving to behind the goal line, on the side of the net.
The defenseman peels off toward the boards, and the goaltender chips the puck off the boards, or directly away from the forechecker right to the defenseman. Bingo . . . breakout with the checker caught.
In both situations, verbal and nonverbal communication, along with off ice discussions and on ice practices, make these exchanges smooth.

Hard-Arounds in General
The object of a "hard around" is to insure that the attacking team can get the puck deep into the zone, keeping it away from the goaltender, and having the puck wind from (for example) the left to a streaking right wing. Offensive possession is gained and scoring chances ensue. This concept is used increasingly on a power play.
It is a major asset if the goaltender is quick and agile enough to get out and stop or slow down that hard around.
In all hard around situations, I like the goaltender to stop the puck in the middle of the back of the net. If he errors, the puck will probably hit the back of the net, and not come out in front.
The goaltender should then read which defenseman is coming back for the puck and from what side. The goaltender should pull the puck away from the wall , and quickly get out of the way.
On most occasions, when there is some forechecking pressure, I like the goaltender to return to the net from the same side from which the puck came. The goalie should return close to the net (inside), with the defenseman picking up the puck via an "outside" route.
When the goaltender stops the puck, he really has several options.
• Leave the puck . . . it’s the best option.
• Pass the puck either. . . if there is significant forechecking pressure, institute the set play when the defenseman peels off toward the corner, allowing the forechecker to approach the goalie. The goalie chips the puck to the defenseman, or pass the puck around the  boards to an open winger. Don’t move the puck too hard, or it will be cleared past your teammate.
• Clear the puck hard enough back around the boards, or up the glass to clear the zone.
• If all options are not available, chip the puck to open space, or a "safe haven" below the hash marks to allow a battle to occur, and give your team time to set up.
Overall, as teams continue to dump the puck into the zone, goaltender-defense exchanges can have a major impact on the results of the game.