Fantasy Goalie Rankings: Thompson, Vasilevskiy, Sorokin and the 2025-26 Elite

Goalies still swing fantasy leagues more than any other position. A true workhorse can cover for draft misses and weekly matchup gaps; a bad bet can sink you. Using this season’s performance and roles, let’s sort out where Logan Thompson, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin and emerging option Jet Greaves fit into your 2025-26 fantasy plans.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest change at the top of the goalie landscape is Thompson’s rise with the Washington Capitals. He’s gone from intriguing platoon option to full-fledged workhorse, pairing a heavy workload with strong ratios. That combination is the gold standard for fantasy value in net.

Vasilevskiy remains the steady anchor in Tampa Bay. Even as the Tampa Bay Lightning transition around him, his win totals and efficiency keep him locked into the elite tier. You’re betting on track record and team environment, and both still look strong.

Sorokin’s case is built a bit differently. Playing behind the New York Islanders, he leans on consistency and a standout shutout total. That shutout upside is a cheat code in many formats, especially head-to-head leagues where a single big night can flip a matchup.

Further down the board, Greaves has emerged as a surprise asset for the Columbus Blue Jackets. His increasing share of starts and solid play hint at breakout potential. He’s not yet in the automatic-start class, but he’s forcing his way into fantasy relevance and deserves more attention than his name value suggests.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, volume and team context rule. Thompson checks both boxes: he’s carrying a starter’s workload in Washington and pairing it with quality play. That combination makes him a legitimate contender for the top fantasy goalie spot in pure scoring leagues.

Vasilevskiy’s edge is wins. Tampa Bay still provides strong run support, and his reputation keeps him locked into the vast majority of starts when healthy. Even if his ratios fluctuate a bit, his win ceiling keeps him near the top of any points-only goalie list.

Sorokin’s value spikes in systems that reward shutouts or bonus points for elite individual games. The Islanders’ defensive structure helps him rack up clean sheets, and his steadiness keeps his floor high. If your scoring leans heavily into shutouts, he can leapfrog more traditional volume plays.

Greaves is more format- and depth-dependent. In shallow points-only leagues, he’s still more of a streamer or third-goalie option. In deeper setups, his path to more starts in Columbus makes him a viable bench goalie who can grow into a regular starter if his role continues to expand.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, you’re balancing wins, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts. Thompson’s combination of workload and efficiency gives him a strong foundation across all four. He doesn’t need to lead the league in any single category to finish near the top overall; his all-around profile is the appeal.

Vasilevskiy remains one of the safest bets for wins and solid ratios. Even if Tampa Bay allows more chances than in their peak years, he’s proven he can handle high shot volumes. That shot-facing environment can actually help in leagues that count saves or shots against, turning heavy nights into category wins.

Sorokin is a category specialist with broad appeal. His shutouts are obvious difference-makers, but his consistency in goals-against and save percentage also stabilizes your weekly floor. Managers who build skater-heavy rosters that chase goals and shots can lean on Sorokin to protect their goalie ratios.

Greaves is more of a strategic piece. On a rebuilding Columbus squad, his win totals may lag behind the elite options, but his increasing workload and competent play can help in saves and, in the right matchups, in ratios. He’s the type of goalie you stream for volume weeks or stash as a third option in deeper category leagues.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, age, workload sustainability and organizational direction matter as much as current-year stats. Thompson’s ascent in Washington is encouraging: he’s shown he can handle a starter’s workload, and the Capitals’ transition phase could eventually yield a stronger supporting cast in front of him. He profiles as a multi-year anchor if he maintains his current level.

Vasilevskiy is firmly in his veteran prime. For the next few seasons, he should remain a high-end starter, but in deeper dynasty formats you should at least be aware of the eventual aging curve. He’s an excellent win-now piece and still a strong hold, but his value is more about the next few years than the distant future.

Sorokin sits in a sweet spot for dynasty managers: proven performance, strong shutout track record and enough runway left in his career to justify aggressive investment. As long as the Islanders maintain a defense-first identity, he should remain one of the safest long-term bets in net.

Greaves is the classic upside stash. Columbus is building toward the future, and he’s already carving out more starts. In deep keeper and dynasty leagues, he’s the type of goalie you acquire before the breakout fully hits. If he cements himself as the long-term starter, his cost will climb quickly.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Logan Thompson – Add (all leagues): Heavy workload, strong ratios and a clear starter’s role in Washington make him a foundational fantasy goalie.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Add / Trade target (all leagues): Still one of the safest bets for wins and steady production behind a strong Tampa Bay squad.
Ilya Sorokin – Add (all leagues): Elite shutout upside and consistent play give him a high ceiling in both points and category formats.
Jet Greaves – Watchlist / Deep-league add: Rising share of starts in Columbus with the potential to grow into a full-time starter.

Fantasy Takeaways

Thompson has pushed his way into the top tier of fantasy goalies thanks to a true starter’s workload and reliable performance.
Vasilevskiy remains a premium, high-floor option whose win potential keeps him near the top of any goalie ranking.
Sorokin’s shutout ability and steady ratios make him especially valuable in formats that reward big individual games.
Greaves should be monitored closely in all formats as his role grows; he’s already a viable stash in deeper leagues.
In keeper and dynasty leagues, prioritize goalies with secure roles and organizational stability, then use upside plays like Greaves to round out your depth.

Source: Rotowire. See the original for full details.