Fantasy Goalie Rankings: How to Handle the Top Options in 2026-27

Goalies can swing entire fantasy seasons, and the margin for error is tiny. NHL.com’s top-25 goalie list for 2026-27 puts proven stars and high-upside risers under the same microscope. Instead of treating it as a simple order to follow, managers should use it to understand risk profiles, team context, and format-specific value. Let’s unpack what the rankings say about Andrei Vasilevskiy, Logan Thompson, Jesper Wallstedt, and Frederik Andersen, and how to turn that into better roster decisions all season.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The list confirms that Vasilevskiy remains the gold standard in fantasy crease management. He’s still projected as the safest combination of workload, wins, and strong rate stats on a competitive TBL squad. Even as other goalies cycle in and out of elite status, his placement at the top of the rankings signals that managers can still treat him as a foundational piece in all formats.

The bigger story is the rise of Logan Thompson. Slotted right behind Vasilevskiy, Thompson is being treated less like a fringe breakout and more like a true fantasy anchor. His ranking reflects confidence in his role as a starting goalie for WSH and suggests he should no longer be viewed as a speculative gamble. Instead, he’s a goalie you can build around, especially if you’re willing to embrace a bit more variance for upside.

Jesper Wallstedt’s presence inside the top 10, despite being a prospect for MIN, is a clear signal to dynasty and keeper managers. The ranking bakes in future value: he may not carry a full starter’s workload immediately, but his long-term ceiling is high enough to justify aggressive stashing in formats that reward patience.

On the flip side, Frederik Andersen’s injury status is flagged as a major concern. Listed as an injured goalie for EDM, he’s treated more as a red-flag asset than a stable starter. The takeaway is that even if the name value is strong, availability and health risk can erase much of the appeal, especially when safer options are available in the same tier.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats that reward wins and shutouts, Vasilevskiy’s top ranking is exactly what you want: a high-volume starter on a strong team with a long track record of elite performance. He’s the kind of goalie you can comfortably lean on for heavy usage without constantly worrying about blowup stretches tanking your season.

Thompson’s second-place ranking in this context is huge. It implies that his team situation and projected workload in Washington are strong enough to push him into near-elite territory. In points-only, that means he can reasonably be your top goalie without feeling like you’re overreaching. If you miss on Vasilevskiy, Thompson is the type of pivot who can keep you competitive in goalie categories without sacrificing upside.

Wallstedt is trickier in points-only redraft leagues. His ranking acknowledges his talent, but if he’s not guaranteed a heavy workload right away, the counting stats might lag behind more established starters. In one-year points-only setups, he’s more of a late bench stash or injury replacement than a must-start option until his role solidifies.

Andersen, meanwhile, loses a lot of shine in points-only because injured goalies simply don’t accumulate wins or shutouts. Even if his per-game numbers remain solid when he plays, the uncertainty around his availability makes him hard to rely on as one of your primary options. Treat him as a luxury depth piece at best, not a cornerstone.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues that count save percentage, goals-against average, and sometimes saves, the calculus changes slightly. Vasilevskiy’s elite ranking still holds, but the emphasis on rate stats makes his floor even more valuable. He’s the rare goalie who can help you in every goalie category at once, rather than forcing you to trade volume for efficiency.

Thompson’s upside becomes even more appealing in categories leagues. If his workload in Washington grows and he maintains strong rate stats, he can be a category-winner, especially in leagues that count saves or shots against. His ranking near the top suggests that the underlying metrics and team context are trending in the right direction.

Wallstedt’s value in categories formats depends heavily on how quickly he earns trust and volume in Minnesota. If he’s splitting starts early, he can still help in save percentage and goals-against average, but you might be sacrificing wins. In deeper categories leagues with multiple goalie slots, he’s an ideal third goalie: someone who can stabilize your ratios while you chase volume elsewhere.

For Andersen, categories formats magnify the injury risk. Missed games mean fewer chances to accumulate saves and wins, and returning from injury can bring volatility in goals-against average and save percentage. His ranking as an avoid-type option is a reminder that chasing a name brand with a shaky health profile can sink your goalie stats across the board.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper leagues, the rankings underscore three distinct profiles. Vasilevskiy remains a premium long-term asset: he’s already elite, and there’s no immediate sign of a steep decline. If you’re contending, he’s exactly the type of goalie you pay up for, and his top ranking supports that aggressive stance.

Thompson is the classic ascending piece. His high placement suggests that he’s not just a short-term hot hand but a potential multi-year solution in net for Washington. In dynasty, that makes him a strong trade target if the current manager is skeptical or worried about volatility. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge whether the price you’re paying matches his projected trajectory.

Wallstedt is where dynasty managers can really separate themselves. Being ranked inside the top 10 as a prospect signals that his long-term upside is enormous. Even if the immediate workload is modest, he’s exactly the kind of goalie you stash on a farm roster or long bench spot, expecting him to grow into a franchise-level fantasy starter for years.

Andersen, conversely, is more of a short-term patch in dynasty, and even that comes with risk. His injury concerns and age-related downside make him a sell or avoid in most long-term builds. If you’re rebuilding, you’re better off flipping him for futures or moving on entirely rather than banking on a late-career resurgence.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – Add / Build Around: Elite, top-ranked starter who can anchor your goalie stats in any format.
Logan Thompson (WSH) – Add / Trade Target: Ranked just behind Vasilevskiy, with breakout upside as a true number-one option.
Jesper Wallstedt (MIN) – Watchlist / Dynasty Stash: Top-10 ranking for a prospect makes him a priority stash in keeper and dynasty leagues.
Frederik Andersen (EDM) – Avoid in Shallow, Late Flier in Deep: Injury concerns and uncertainty make him a risky hold unless your league is very deep.

Fantasy Takeaways

Vasilevskiy’s spot at the top of the rankings confirms he’s still the safest all-format goalie to build around.
Thompson’s rise into the elite tier means you should treat him as a core asset, not just a speculative upside play.
Wallstedt’s top-10 placement is a green light for aggressive stashing in dynasty and keeper leagues.
Andersen’s flagged injury issues make him a fade in most standard formats, especially when safer options are available.
Use rankings as a guide to risk profiles and team context, then lean on tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to fine-tune your goalie portfolio.

Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.