Top 25 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings for 2025-26

Goaltending remains one of the most unpredictable—and vital—positions in fantasy hockey. With NHL.com unveiling its top 25 goalie rankings for the 2025-26 season, fantasy managers have a fresh guide to navigating the year’s most important netminders. Let’s break down what’s new, how to leverage these rankings for your league format, and which names deserve your attention beyond the obvious elite.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The 2025-26 rankings feature familiar names at the top, but the landscape is shifting. Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy continue to set the standard with their consistency and high-volume starts. However, the emergence of younger options like Logan Thompson and Lukas Dostal signals a changing of the guard for fantasy managers looking for upside and value. Injuries are already impacting the list, with Frederik Andersen flagged due to health concerns, and others like Thatcher Demko also carrying risk. Team context, schedule quirks, and the ongoing battle for starts all play a role in how these netminders stack up for the season ahead.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure points leagues, volume and win potential reign supreme. Hellebuyck is the gold standard, thanks to his workload and the Jets' strong defensive structure. Thompson’s rise with the Capitals makes him a trendy breakout, especially if he cements the starting job. Streaming options like Scott Wedgewood can provide short-term boosts, particularly during favorable matchups or when top options rest. Injury-prone or platooned netminders, such as Andersen, should be downgraded due to uncertain workloads.

Categories / Bangers

For category leagues, the focus expands to saves, shutouts, and even penalty minutes. Jake Oettinger stands out for his reliability and multi-category contributions. Vasilevskiy’s high save totals and shutout upside remain elite, but managers must monitor rest days as teams increasingly rotate goalies. Volume starters on improving teams—like Dostal in Anaheim—can quietly rack up stats across the board, while injury risks like Andersen are best avoided unless you have IR flexibility.

Dynasty / Keeper

Younger goalies with upward trajectories are gold in dynasty formats. Dostal is a prime example: strong underlying numbers and a clear path to more starts make him a stash-worthy asset. Thompson’s situation is also intriguing, as he could seize a long-term role if his development continues. Older or injury-prone netminders, such as Andersen, lose luster in keeper leagues, while reliable veterans like Hellebuyck or Oettinger still anchor fantasy rosters for years to come.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Logan Thompson – Trending up with a shot at the Capitals’ starting gig and breakout numbers.
Lukas Dostal – Worth a watch in all formats; could become the Ducks’ long-term No. 1.
Scott Wedgewood – Ideal streaming play for favorable Colorado matchups.
Jake Oettinger – Reliable category contributor and potential trade target.
Frederik Andersen – Consider dropping if injuries persist and workload shrinks.
Igor Shesterkin – Elite upside if he regains form and health; monitor for bounce-back.
Mackenzie Blackwood – Deep-league sleeper if he wins a larger share of starts.

Fantasy Takeaways

Elite, high-volume starters like Hellebuyck and Vasilevskiy remain the safest bets in all formats.
Emerging options such as Thompson and Dostal offer breakout potential, especially in keeper and dynasty leagues.
Monitor injury news and platoon situations closely—goalie value can shift rapidly with changes in health or team context.
Don’t overlook streaming and matchup-based plays, particularly in points-only leagues with busy schedules.
Be proactive with drops or trades if a goalie’s role or health deteriorates, as seen with Andersen.

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