Let's be real for a second. If you drafted Igor Shesterkin or Juuse Saros in the early rounds thinking they’d be your "set it and forget it" rocks, you’re probably staring at the waiver wire right now with a headache. That’s the thing about fantasy hockey goalie rankings; they look great on a spreadsheet in October, but by mid-January, they usually look like they were written by someone who’s never actually watched a puck skip off a defenseman's skate.
It's Sunday, January 18, 2026. We are officially in the "make or break" part of the season. If you’re not evaluating your crease every single week, you're basically donating your league's buy-in to your buddies.
Honestly, the goalie landscape this year has been a total mess. We’ve seen established stars fall off a cliff and random backups suddenly playing like they’ve found the fountain of youth. But if you want to win, you have to stop chasing names and start chasing volume and environment.
The Elite Tier: The Only Guys You Can Trust
There are maybe three goalies right now who don't make me want to throw my laptop across the room when I check my fantasy score.
Connor Hellebuyck is still the king. It’s almost annoying how consistent he is. He’s on track for another 35+ win season in Winnipeg, and even when the Jets have a bad night, his save percentage usually stays north of .915. He’s the only guy I’d label as truly "safe."
Then you’ve got Andrei Vasilevskiy. After that weird injury scare earlier in the year, he’s back to being a workhorse. The Lightning aren't the defensive juggernaut they were five years ago, but Vasilevskiy faces a ton of shots and stops enough of them to keep his GAA respectable.
💡 You might also like: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
And then there's Jake Oettinger. Dallas is just a machine. Oettinger is only 26, which is basically a teenager in goalie years, but he plays with the composure of a 40-year-old vet. He might not always have the highest save percentage, but the wins are basically guaranteed because the Stars score four goals every night.
The Mid-Season Risers You Need to Own
If you didn’t land one of those big three, you've had to get creative. This is where fantasy hockey goalie rankings get interesting.
Have you looked at Logan Thompson lately? He’s basically taken over the Washington crease. Most people thought he’d split time 50/50 with Charlie Lindgren, but Thompson has been playing like a guy who wants a Vezina nomination. He’s sitting on a .916 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA as of this week. If he’s somehow still on your waiver wire—which he shouldn't be—stop reading this and go get him.
Another massive surprise has been John Gibson in Detroit. Yeah, the same John Gibson who spent years rotting away in Anaheim. Since moving to the Red Wings, he’s looked rejuvenated. He just rattled off a week where he went 3-0 with a .953 save percentage. Detroit actually plays defense now, and Gibson is reaping the rewards.
- Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth): He’s finally on a team that isn’t a disaster. 2.59 GAA and super consistent.
- Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues): He is straight-up outplaying Jordan Binnington. If you own Binnington, you’re probably sweating.
- Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames): The kid is for real. He’s basically the only reason Calgary is even sniffing a playoff spot.
Why Your "Star" Goalies Are Killing Your Team
Look, I get it. You spent a high pick on Igor Shesterkin. He’s elite, right? Well, the Rangers’ defense has been a sieve lately. He’s facing more high-danger chances than almost anyone in the league. While his talent is undeniable, his fantasy numbers are getting nuked because he’s basically a target in a shooting gallery.
📖 Related: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
And Juuse Saros? Man, Nashville has been a roller coaster. He’ll give you a 40-save shutout one night and then get pulled after letting in three goals on eight shots the next. It’s the inconsistency that kills you in head-to-head leagues.
The biggest trap in fantasy hockey goalie rankings is staying loyal to a name. If a guy is playing behind a team that can’t clear the porch, his save percentage will eventually tank. It’s science. Sorta.
The "Avoid at All Costs" List
I’m sorry, but Tristan Jarry in Edmonton is a "no" for me. It’s a three-goalie nightmare with Calvin Pickard and Conor Ingram also floating around. You never know who’s starting until 15 minutes before puck drop. Unless one of them gets traded or hurt, that crease is a fantasy wasteland.
Also, be careful with Sergei Bobrovsky. He’s 37 now. Florida is smart; they want him fresh for the playoffs, which means they’re going to rest him a lot down the stretch. If you’re relying on him for volume in your fantasy playoffs, you’re going to be disappointed when Spencer Knight gets half the starts in March.
How to Manage Your Crease for the Fantasy Playoffs
We are about two months away from the fantasy playoffs. Now is the time to look at schedules.
👉 See also: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
Check which teams have the most "off-night" games (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays). If you can snag a backup like Anthony Stolarz or Scott Wedgewood who starts on those nights, you can steal categories while your opponent's starters are sitting on the bench during busy Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Also, watch the rookie situations. Jesper Wallstedt in Minnesota is looming. If Filip Gustavsson stumbles even a little bit, the Wild are going to give the kid the keys. Stashing a guy like Wallstedt now could be the move that wins you your league in April.
Actionable Strategy for This Week
Stop treating your goalies like they're untouchable. If you have a "name" goalie who is killing your GAA and SV%, shop him around. There is always someone in your league who drafts based on the 2022 season and will overpay for a guy like Saros or Sorokin.
Basically, here is your checklist:
- Drop the Dead Weight: If you're carrying a third goalie who only gets one start every ten days, drop them for a high-upside skater or a streaming spot.
- Handcuff the Workhorses: If you own Oettinger or Hellebuyck, try to acquire their backups. It’s boring, but it’s insurance.
- Target Volume: In most leagues, 30 saves and 3 goals against is better than 18 saves and 2 goals against. Find the guys who face a lot of rubber but play for decent teams.
- Scout the Trade Block: Look for the manager who is desperate for points and offer them a 2-for-1 deal to upgrade your goaltending.
Go check your league's waiver wire for Jet Greaves or Lukas Dostal. Both are seeing way more action lately than people realize. Don't wait until Tuesday when everyone else sees the "Hot Add" icon next to their names.
Next Steps:
- Check the NHL starting goalie grids for the upcoming week to identify back-to-back situations.
- Evaluate your league's scoring settings to see if "Saves" are weighted heavily enough to justify rostering a high-volume/lower-tier goalie.
- Look at the trade market for managers who are currently rostering three or more goalies and might be looking to sell one cheap.