Goaltending can make or break your fantasy hockey season. A hot goalie can carry you in wins, save percentage, and shutouts — but a bad pick can sink you just as fast. Drafting goalies is all about balance: locking in one elite option early, then finding value in the mid-to-late rounds.
Here’s a full breakdown of the top goalies for 2025-26, where to draft them, and the sleepers that could win you your league.
Top Goalies for 2025-26 (Early Rounds)
| Goalie | Team | Strengths | Draft Range* | Risks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) | Winnipeg Jets | Coming off a Hart Trophy win; consistent volume starter. | Round 2 | Heavy workload may catch up with him. |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) | Tampa Bay Lightning | Elite track record, still one of the most bankable. | Round 2–3 | Recent injuries, fewer back-to-backs. |
| Igor Shesterkin (NYR) | New York Rangers | Top-tier save percentage, elite upside if healthy. | Round 3 | Needs defensive support; minor injuries. |
| Jake Oettinger (DAL) | Dallas Stars | Reliable starter on a strong team; good win potential. | Round 3 | Can be streaky, workload management possible. |
| Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) | Florida Panthers | Proven playoff performer; strong across categories. | Round 4 | Streaky season-to-season; may lose some starts. |
*Draft ranges based on standard 12-team league, multi-category scoring. Adjust for smaller/larger formats.
Mid-Tier & Bounce-Back Options
Not elite locks, but worth drafting if you miss the top names:
- Ilya Sorokin (NYI): Still a top-10 talent despite a down year. Could bounce back big if the Islanders tighten up defensively.
- Filip Gustavsson (MIN): A mid-round volume play if he grabs consistent starts.
- Mackenzie Blackwood (COL): New setting with Colorado’s elite defense → sleeper upside if he seizes the starter role.
Sleeper Goalies to Target
Every draft has hidden gems. These names may not go early, but could return major value:
- Dustin Wolf (CGY): Calgary’s young netminder just signed a 7-year extension. If he cements the starter job, he’s a league-winning pick.
- Linus Ullmark (OTT): ADP slipping, but strong upside if Ottawa improves its defensive play.
- Adin Hill (VGK): Timeshare risk, but his numbers are strong when he gets starts.
- Karel Vejmelka (Utah): High save volume, and Utah’s defense is trending up.
- Arturs Silovs (PIT): Prospect stash for deep leagues — big frame, high ceiling if he gets NHL time.
Sleeper Tier Chart by Draft Round
Rounds 7–9
- Linus Ullmark (OTT)
- Adin Hill (VGK)
Rounds 10–12
- Dustin Wolf (CGY)
- Mackenzie Blackwood (COL)
Rounds 13–15
- Karel Vejmelka (Utah)
- Ilya Sorokin (NYI) (if he slips)
Round 16+
- Arturs Silovs (PIT)
- Backup-to-starter watch (camp battles worth a final-round swing)
Draft Strategy Tips
- Don’t overpay. Only grab one elite goalie early (Rounds 2–3).
- Double up mid-round. Add a safe mid-tier goalie in Rounds 6–9.
- Take one sleeper. A late-round breakout (Wolf, Vejmelka, Silovs) can swing your season.
- Watch preseason starts. Who’s getting the net consistently? That tells you where hidden value lies.
Final Word
Goaltending is volatile, but that’s what makes it fun — and frustrating. Draft one elite option early, then focus on value and sleepers in the middle and late rounds. Play the waiver wire aggressively, and you’ll always have a chance to stay ahead of the pack.