2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Rankings: Goalie tiers

Fantasy goaltenders are a necessary a part of any profitable lineup, so discovering a goaltender who begins a overwhelming majority of the staff’s video games — and wins these video games — is a boon. These goaltenders are uncommon, nonetheless, and you may have to expend vital draft capital to amass them.

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There are many different methods to deploy, similar to ready till later rounds to seek out constant starters on above-average groups or grabbing each goalies in a powerful tandem to assist lock down a constant rating within the goaltender spot. We’ll undergo every of these tiers on this article that will help you navigate the goaltender waters and maintain a degree head after they begin flying off draft boards.

Tier 1: Elite fantasy goaltenders

Igor Shesterkin (NYR), Juuse Saros (NAS), Connor Hellebuyck (WPG)

Shesterkin has performed a minimum of 53 video games in three straight seasons and has answered the decision, posting 36-plus wins in every marketing campaign whereas accruing a .921 save proportion and a 2.39 GAA. Whereas his workload was spectacular, Saros began essentially the most video games within the league three years in the past, and he posted essentially the most saves within the league in every of the final two seasons, registering a .915 save proportion within the course of. The Predators bolstered their offensive ranks by means of free company, which ought to assist Saros within the win column. Hellebuyck stays a star with three straight seasons of 60-plus begins whereas recording a .920 save proportion or higher in two of these seasons. He is 31 years previous now however hasn’t proven any decline — taking residence the Vezina Trophy final season.

Tier 2: The subsequent guys up

Jeremy Swayman (BOS), Jake Oettinger (DAL), Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB)

Swayman is clearly an elite goaltender when he is within the web, evidenced by a .914 save proportion or higher in three straight seasons, however he has constantly break up the workload with Linus Ullmark, who has moved on to Ottawa. Can Swayman deal with a full workload himself? Or will Joonas Korpisalo break up reps evenly? I count on Swayman to strategy 55 begins so long as he is signed by the beginning of the common season. Both approach, there’s some threat in his profile.

Oettinger is coming off a visit to the convention ultimate, and the younger Stars ought to take one other step this season, setting the 25-year-old netminder as much as his 35 wins for a 3rd straight yr. Vasilevskiy simply turned 30 years previous and has produced seven straight seasons with 30-plus wins. The Lightning ought to stay among the many staff’s prime offenses this yr.

Tier 3: Big upside — with strings connected

Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA), Jacob Markstrom (NJ), Alexandar Georgiev (COL), Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF)

Bobrovsky is coming off a outstanding common season and a Stanley Cup win. Nonetheless, he turns 36 years previous in September; goaltender declines occur swiftly and oftentimes with out warning. Whereas Bobrovsky could have loads of assist and will have a powerful season, his threat will proceed to rise with age. Markstrom put collectively a powerful marketing campaign final yr and was a Vezina finalist simply three seasons in the past. Now, he’ll begin in New Jersey, the place the younger corps completed fifth within the league with 2.81 xGF/60 final season, in response to Pure Stat Trick.

Georgiev ought to have a reasonably secure job after recording 78 wins during the last two seasons, however his .897 save proportion final season causes some concern. The Sabres topped Luukkonen as their goalie of the subsequent 5 years with a $23.75 million contract this offseason. The 25-year-old ought to comfortably begin 50 and as much as 60 video games this season. Luukkonen is my most aggressive rating, however his pattern is giant sufficient — he has performed 100 NHL video games with a .904 save proportion — and the Sabres are solely getting higher.

Tier 4: Starters dealing with some competitors

Frederik Andersen (CAR), Stuart Skinner (EDM), Ilya Sorokin (NYI), Joseph Woll (TOR), Linus Ullmark (OTT), Jordan Binnington (STL), Adin Hill (VGK)

Andersen’s harm points paired with the emergence of Pyotr Kochetkov maintain him from climbing these ranks. By 100 begins with the Hurricanes, Andersen has 69 wins, a .918 save proportion and a 2.22 GAA. Skinner and the Oilers took the Panthers to seven video games in June, and the 25-year-old netminder might want to show it this yr. He needs to be the clear starter for a staff that has a loaded offensive corps and Cup aspirations. Sorokin underwent again surgical procedure this offseason and needs to be prepared for the common season, however that is not his solely concern. The 29-year-old did not carry out nicely to finish the season, ceding the online to Semyon Varlamov within the playoffs. Fantasy managers should not be drafting Sorokin on the similar ranges as years previous.

Woll signed a three-year bridge deal this offseason regardless of enjoying simply 25 video games final yr. The 26-year-old held his personal with a .907 save proportion and a 12-11-1 file, however there’s nonetheless quite a bit to show. Moreover, Anthony Stolarz is gearing up because the No. 2 and will battle his approach into extra enjoying time. Ullmark’s three-year stint in Boston was outstanding, producing a .924 save proportion and 88 wins over 126 begins. Ottawa’s state of affairs will not be as soft. In the meantime, Hill has by no means performed greater than 35 video games in a season. There’s nothing in Hill’s profile that ensures the beginning spot over Samsonov for all the season. Binnington felt the stress of Joel Hofer and responded accordingly, profitable 28 video games, essentially the most because the 2019-20 marketing campaign. He performs nicely underneath stress, however Hofer might steal this job within the subsequent yr or two.

Tier 5: Excessive-end backups — and Demko

Thatcher Demko (VAN), Semyon Varlamov (NYI), Pyotr Kochetkov (CAR), Ilya Samsonov (VGK), Joel Hofer (STL), Anthony Stolarz (TOR)

I do not see myself clicking Demko’s title in drafts this season. The paradox round his knee harm is sufficient to scare me away. He stays this excessive out of respect for what he can do when wholesome. In spite of everything, the 28-year-old had 35 wins in 51 video games final yr whereas posting a .918 save proportion. Varlamov has been extraordinarily constant by means of 5 seasons with the Islanders, totaling a .917 save proportion. He ought to stay the No. 2 possibility behind Sorokin. Kochetkov is in an identical state of affairs to Varlamov, besides he is the younger star ready within the wings. The 25-year-old registered 23 wins, a .911 save proportion and 4 shutouts over 42 appearances final yr. He might declare the No. 1 job primarily based on his personal efficiency or one other Andersen harm.

Samsonov was thrust into the limelight on the age of twenty-two and did not reside as much as expectations, however he’s coming off 50 wins and a modest .905 save proportion over 82 video games throughout a two-year tour in Toronto. The 27-year-old can push Hill for the beginning job in an attractive Vegas system. Hofer met expectations as Binnington’s backup final season, recording a .913 save proportion and 15 wins over 30 appearances. The Blues will doubtless battle this yr, suppressing Hofer’s upside if he ever does take the beginning crease. Stolarz simply received a Stanley Cup as a backup however posted a .925 save proportion and a 16-7-2 file within the common season. His two-year, $5 million contract means he’ll patrol the crease lots, even when he cannot safe the beginning job.

Tier 6: First rate timeshares

Charlie Lindgren & Logan Thompson (WAS), Philipp Grubauer & Joey Daccord (SEA), Tristan Jarry & Alex Nedeljkovic (PIT), Darcy Kuemper & David Rittich (L.A.)

Thompson has a superb likelihood to take over this job finally. The 27-year-old has a monitor file of success in Vegas, whereas Lindgren by no means secured a full-time beginning function till final season. In Seattle, Grubauer has didn’t file higher than a .900 save proportion or 18 wins by means of three seasons. Daccord ought to find yourself with this job, however the 28-year-old performed simply 19 NHL video games earlier than final season, so there’s some shakiness in his profile. Jarry struggled down the stretch final yr. I do not purchase that he is out of the blue a nasty goalie. Nonetheless, Nedeljkovic is sweet sufficient to drive a timeshare, a minimum of. Kuemper will doubtless run away with this beginning job if the Kings get into playoff competition like they’re anticipated to, however a 60/40 break up would not be stunning for the 2 growing old goaltenders. The Kings’ tandem might be fairly simple to focus on in drafts and will repay nicely.

Tier 7: Late-round upside

Dustin Wolf (CGY), Arturs Silovs (VAN), Joonas Korpisalo (BOS)

The Flames are putting a large wager on Wolf by buying and selling Jacob Markstrom to the Devils. Wolf, 23, has performed simply 17 NHL video games and produced an 8-7-1 file, however his AHL efficiency has been outstanding, producing a .922 save proportion or higher in three straight seasons. There aren’t any certain issues at goaltender, so there’s vital threat right here, however the upside is equally big. Staying within the Pacific Division, Silovs will doubtless be the starter so long as Demko is out, which stays to be seen. Silovs performed 10 video games final postseason and posted a .898 save proportion, a 5-5-0 file and a shutout. Vancouver’s an interesting staff, and whoever’s in web must be prioritized. Korpisalo is coming off a shaky season in Ottawa however he has proven flashes prior to now when he is been in a superb state of affairs. There’s vital upside because the starter in Boston if Swayman holds out for a brand new contract.

Tier 8: Ugly timeshares

Lukas Dostal & John Gibson (ANA), Mackenzie Blackwood & Vitek Vanecek (SJ), Connor Ingram & Karel Vejmelka (UTA), Samuel Ersson & Ivan Fedotov (PHI), Cam Talbot & Alex Lyon & Ville Husso & Jack Campbell (DET), Sam Montembeault & Cayden Primeau (MTL), Petr Mrazek & Laurent Brossoit (CHI)

None of those groups are anticipated to smell the playoffs. Amongst these goalies, I am most intrigued by Dostal, who ended final season with a 6-8-2 file and a .909 save proportion over the ultimate 17 video games. However the Geese are nonetheless too younger to make a critical playoff push, and Gibson will in all probability take a lot of the begins. Ingram is attractive, too, as he was peppered with pictures final season whereas holding his personal. The beginning job in Detroit ought to really be fairly profitable, however 4 goalies within the combine leaves the fantasy world in a nasty predicament. The 37-year-old Talbot will begin the season because the No. 1 however his maintain on that job is tenuous at greatest. It is arduous to really feel assured in any possibility within the Motor Metropolis.

Montembeault has been constantly common as an NHLer. He has much more expertise at this degree than Primeau and will start the yr because the starter. The Canadiens are scrappy however will not lend a lot assist to both crease creature. Mrazek is a gifted goalie however it should be one other lengthy yr in Chicago. Laurent Brossoit is coping with a knee harm and can miss time to begin the season, which might result in a big workload for Mrazek.