Ten years ago, in the 2014-15 NHL season, goaltenders occupied seven of the top 10 overall rankings in fantasy points and 25 out of the top 100.

Even as recently as the 2017-18 season, goalies still accounted for many of the higher fantasy totals. That season, goaltenders took six of the top 10 spots and 16 of the top 100.

But the worm turned between then and now.

In 2019-20, a skater finished in the top spot overall for fantasy points for the first time in at least 10 years and only two goaltenders were among the top 10.

It looked like there might be a comeback by the goaltenders after the 2021-22 campaign. Igor Shesterkin finished first overall and 13 goaltenders were among the top 100.

But it’s only become more dire since then.

In 2022-23, only two goalies were in the top 10 and just nine made the top 100. In a 12-team fantasy league, 24 goalies should be in starting lineups. For the first time since at least 2009-10, the 25th ranked goalie (the one just after the 12-team league starters) finished outside the top 300 for fantasy points… at No. 388.

Last season, zero goaltenders made the top 10 and just four were inside the top 100 for fantasy points. The 25th ranked goaltender was, once again, well outside the top 300 overall. That 2023-24 campaign will be — we hope — rock bottom for the fantasy goaltending. There is hope on the horizon.

If paces hold for the next two weeks of this campaign, things will be similar to last season, but slightly improved. A goaltender took over the No. 1 overall spot again and two goalies will finish inside the top 10 (the same two that finished there in 2019-20). Nine have a chance to be among the top 100, but we won’t see 25 goalies inside the top 300 this season.

Timeshares in the crease are a factor. The disappearing workhorse is part of that. But it also seems to be the ebb and flow of experience, and the emergence of a new, younger crop of goaltenders. The average age of the top 10 goaltenders since 2009-10 hovers around 29 to 30 (with a rare departure to 28 or 31). In 2022-23, it dipped to 27.6, but has risen across the past two seasons again to 30.3 so far this season (so far, because the top 10 could still change).

But is this a slow, downward slope for the fantasy goaltender position? Or are we on the other side of a valley, back on the upslope? Certainly there hasn’t been enough of a bounceback this season to declare the position as out of the doldrums. But with a new wave of keepers finding their footing, and more top prospects on the way, we should remain hopeful for the future. While we may never return to the 2010-11 season, when goaltenders ranked first through seventh overall in fantasy points, we should get a rebalance as the current sub-30 crowd gets another season under their belt heading into 2025-26.

Here’s a quick stats-glance at each of the 32 teams, with comments to help contextualize the information. For the purposes of crease share for goaltenders that were traded midseason, the percentage represents their share of the crease since their first game with their new team, so the numbers won’t add up to 100 percent if teams added or subtracted a goalie to the mix.

Jump ahead: Anaheim Ducks | Boston Bruins | Buffalo Sabres | Calgary Flames | Carolina Hurricanes | Chicago Blackhawks | Colorado Avalanche | Columbus Blue Jackets | Dallas Stars | Detroit Red Wings | Edmonton Oilers | Florida Panthers | Los Angeles Kings | Minnesota Wild | Montreal Canadiens | Nashville Predators | New Jersey Devils | New York Islanders | New York Rangers | Ottawa Senators | Philadelphia Flyers | Pittsburgh Penguins | San Jose Sharks | Seattle Kraken | St. Louis Blues | Tampa Bay Lightning | Toronto Maple Leafs | Utah Hockey Club | Vancouver Canucks | Vegas Golden Knights | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets

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Goalie notes for 2025-26

Anaheim Ducks in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 18, penalty-kill rank: 28):

• Lukas Dostal (crease share: 60.8%, fantasy points: 82.4, fantasy rank: 285 (20 among goalies), age in October: 25.3, restricted FA)

• John Gibson (crease share: 34.7%, fantasy points: 51.4, fantasy rank: 428 (32 among goalies), age in October: 32.2)

• Ville Husso (crease share: 19.8%, fantasy points: -13.8 (-0.8 with ANA), fantasy rank: 743 (71 among goalies), age in October: 30.7)

With a restricted free agent due a raise in Dostal and the Ducks still not looking ready to push all their chips in, one has to think the soon-to-be-32-year-old Gibson may find a new home in the offseason. Dostal, if tabbed as the true No. 1, would be due an increase in minutes on a team that is on the track for improvement. Considering he managed to be among the top 20 goalies under this season’s conditions, there’s a bright future here but he’ll probably be a late-round addition to fantasy rosters.

Boston Bruins in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 20.5, penalty-kill rank: 21):

• Jeremy Swayman (crease share: 68.2%, fantasy points: 45.8, fantasy rank: 447 (35 among goalies), age in October: 26.9)

• Joonas Korpisalo (crease share: 31.8%, fantasy points: 28.4, fantasy rank: 531 (43 among goalies), age in October: 31.4)

Swayman’s fortunes hinge on whether the Bruins can manage a quick roster sweep to become competitive again. They have the building blocks, but will need some solid moves in the offseason. We know Swayman can be a fantasy game-changer under the right conditions, so the debate heading into 2025-26 will be about whether Boston did enough through the summer.

Buffalo Sabres in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 26, penalty-kill rank: 23):

• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (crease share: 68.7%, fantasy points: 28.8, fantasy rank: 527 (42 among goalies), age in October: 26.6)

• James Reimer (crease share: 28.5%, fantasy points: 11 (17.6 with BUF), fantasy rank: 618 (52 among goalies), age in October: 37.5, unrestricted FA)

• Devon Levi (crease share: 11.1%, fantasy points: -13, fantasy rank: 741 (85 among goalies), age in October: 23.8)

Luukkonen has some very bright moments, but, like the franchise around him, ultimately doesn’t get it done when looking at the big picture. Devon Levi was spared the shellackings with the Sabres this season and has responded very well in the AHL, where he leads the league in shutouts and is pushing for the league lead in wins.

Calgary Flames in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 4, penalty-kill rank: 26):

• Dustin Wolf (crease share: 61%, fantasy points: 110.4, fantasy rank: 166 (10 among goalies), age in October: 24.5)

• Dan Vladar (crease share: 39%, fantasy points: 31.4, fantasy rank: 518 (42 among goalies), age in October: 28.1, unrestricted FA)

The future has arrived for the Flames. Already a top 10 goalie as the Flames (probably) miss the playoffs, Wolf has all the tools to lead the next class of fantasy goaltenders. Just don’t overhype the single-season production in redraft just yet. It’s not as if the Flames are a young team around him waiting to breakthrough; They need some offseason work for Wolf to shine in 2025-26.

Carolina Hurricanes in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 17, penalty-kill rank: 1):

• Pyotr Kochetkov (crease share: 58.7%, fantasy points: 91.6, fantasy rank: 241.5 (16 among goalies), age in October: 26.3)

• Frederik Andersen (crease share: 23.3%, fantasy points: 59.8, fantasy rank: 390 (26 among goalies), age in October: 36, unrestricted FA)

• Spencer Martin (crease share: 9.6%, fantasy points: -8.4, fantasy rank: 738 (83 among goalies), age in October: 30.3)

• Dustin Tokarski (crease share: 8.2%, fantasy points: 16.8, fantasy rank: 587 (53 among goalies), age in October: 36)

• Yaniv Perets (crease share: 0.2%, fantasy points: -0.8, fantasy rank: 726 (71.5 among goalies), age in October: 25.6)

Depending on how the postseason shakes out, Kochetkov is in position to ascend to the top 10 fantasy goaltenders next season with a larger share of the minutes. Andersen, a free agent, will need a heroic playoff run and new deal to still be considered in this tandem when he’s 36 next season.

Chicago Blackhawks in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 32, penalty-kill rank: 11):

• Spencer Knight (crease share: 63.8%, fantasy points: 51.8 (-0.8 with CHI), fantasy rank: 425 (70 among goalies), age in October: 24.5)

• Arvid Soderblom (crease share: 44.6%, fantasy points: 12.4, fantasy rank: 611 (54 among goalies), age in October: 26.1, restricted FA)

• Drew Commesso (crease share: 1.6%, fantasy points: -3.6, fantasy rank: 732 (77 among goalies), age in October: 23.2)

The Hawks added Knight with the intention of him stealing the ball and running with it. They’ll get another pick near the top of the draft this season, but they sure don’t look like a postseason threat for 2025-26, so there could be another year of losing on the docket before Knight is a threat in fantasy. Just 23 at the moment, he’s in position to enter his prime the same time the Hawks do.

Colorado Avalanche in 75 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 15, penalty-kill rank: 15):

• Mackenzie Blackwood (crease share: 73.4%, fantasy points: 144 (114.6 with COL), fantasy rank: 61 (9 among goalies), age in October: 28.8)

• Scott Wedgewood (crease share: 30.7%, fantasy points: 51.2 (55.2 with COL), fantasy rank: 433 (30 among goalies), age in October: 33.1)

• Trent Miner (crease share: 2%, fantasy points: -2.2, fantasy rank: 735 (74 among goalies), age in October: 24.7)

By all accounts, the Avalanche hit their mark with the acquisition of Blackwood. With a full season of action with the offense in front of him, Blackwood can push to be among the top five. At this stage, he’ll be in the second tier of goaltenders at next season’s drafts. A sterling playoff run could push him even higher.

Columbus Blue Jackets in 72 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 24, penalty-kill rank: 25):

• Elvis Merzlikins (crease share: 66.7%, fantasy points: 59.2, fantasy rank: 393.5 (27.5 among goalies), age in October: 31.5)

• Daniil Tarasov (crease share: 25%, fantasy points: 1.4, fantasy rank: 703 (66 among goalies), age in October: 26.5, restricted FA)

• Jet Greaves (crease share: 8.3%, fantasy points: 8.4, fantasy rank: 634.5 (57 among goalies), age in October: 24.5)

Even with the Blue Jackets in postseason contention, Merzlikins hasn’t come close to fantasy rosters for any sustained run. That shouldn’t change next season, but with one more year of seasoning and careful depth-chart construction, this roster could be a juggernaut in 2026-27. And yes, Merzlikins is still under contract.

Dallas Stars in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 9, penalty-kill rank: 1):

• Jake Oettinger (crease share: 70.6%, fantasy points: 155, fantasy rank: 37.5 (4 among goalies), age in October: 26.8)

• Casey DeSmith (crease share: 29.4%, fantasy points: 81.6, fantasy rank: 296 (23 among goalies), age in October: 34.1)

The Stars still have a few seasons in this current competitive window and Oettinger will still be under 27 heading into the 2025-26 campaign. He’s a virtual lock to be among the top three goaltenders selected in your draft and is probably the best one to pick if you were starting a keeper league for next season.

Detroit Red Wings in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 19, penalty-kill rank: 32):

• Cam Talbot (crease share: 50.7%, fantasy points: 60.2, fantasy rank: 386 (25 among goalies), age in October: 38.2)

• Petr Mrazek (crease share: 45.8%, fantasy points: 10.8 (9.4 with DET), fantasy rank: 620 (56 among goalies), age in October: 33.6)

• Alex Lyon (crease share: 32.8%, fantasy points: 33, fantasy rank: 507 (39 among goalies), age in October: 32.8, unrestricted FA)

• Sebastian Cossa (crease share: 1%, fantasy points: 2.4, fantasy rank: 692.5 (65.5 among goalies), age in October: 22.9)

It may not quite be Cossa time next season, but patience is wearing thin for the Red Wings to become a consistent playoff team again. A solid, young goalie might be one of the biggest missing pieces. Cossa is the internal answer, so he could be a fantasy sleeper for next season if the Red Wings can collectively take another step forward.

Edmonton Oilers in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 23, penalty-kill rank: 20):

• Stuart Skinner (crease share: 64.6%, fantasy points: 62, fantasy rank: 376 (23 among goalies), age in October: 26.9)

• Calvin Pickard (crease share: 34.9%, fantasy points: 57.8, fantasy rank: 402 (28 among goalies), age in October: 33.5)

• Olivier Rodrigue (crease share: 0.5%, fantasy points: -0.6, fantasy rank: 725 (69 among goalies), age in October: 25.2, restricted FA)

If the Oilers bow out in another postseason, the goaltending won’t be able to escape blame again. Something has to give for the 2025-26 campaign with their superstar forwards entering their peak prime.

Florida Panthers in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 3.5, penalty-kill rank: 12):

• Sergei Bobrovsky (crease share: 66.3%, fantasy points: 134, fantasy rank: 83 (7 among goalies), age in October: 37)

• Vitek Vanecek (crease share: 29.6%, fantasy points: -12.4 (4.6 with FLA), fantasy rank: 739 (63 among goalies), age in October: 29.7, unrestricted FA)

With a strong finish, Bobrovsky could end up tied for second all-time in wins for a goaltender in their age-36 season (four more for the tie). By all accounts, he is aging like fine wine.

Los Angeles Kings in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 2, penalty-kill rank: 8):

• Darcy Kuemper (crease share: 58.6%, fantasy points: 140.2, fantasy rank: 70 (6 among goalies), age in October: 35.4)

• David Rittich (crease share: 39.5%, fantasy points: 31.4, fantasy rank: 513 (41 among goalies), age in October: 33.1, unrestricted FA)

• Erik Portillo (crease share: 1.3%, fantasy points: 7.6, fantasy rank: 641 (59 among goalies), age in October: 25.1)

• Pheonix Copley (crease share: 0.6%, fantasy points: -2, fantasy rank: 727 (72 among goalies), age in October: 33.7)

What a pleasant surprise Kuemper has been for the Kings. If he can shake the health concerns that hampered his time in net, he could push for top five next season. There is risk, given his yo-yo fantasy career, which has been very dependent on his supporting cast and health. In other words, while he has the potential to be top five, drafting him there isn’t the right approach.

Minnesota Wild in 75 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 5, penalty-kill rank: 31):

• Filip Gustavsson (crease share: 68.2%, fantasy points: 161.2, fantasy rank: 32 (3 among goalies), age in October: 27.3)

• Marc-Andre Fleury (crease share: 29.2%, fantasy points: 43.8, fantasy rank: 464 (37 among goalies), age in October: 40.8, unrestricted FA)

• Jesper Wallstedt (crease share: 2.6%, fantasy points: -7.4, fantasy rank: 744 (83 among goalies), age in October: 22.9)

Fleury’s farewell tour comes to a close this season and the Wild are about as solid in the crease as any team in the NHL going forward. Gustavsson showed he can be a top starter given the skilled forwards in front of him (when healthy, anyway) and Wallstedt represents a bright future. Wallstedt, unfortunately, spent the season being eaten alive on the team’s AHL affiliate. Gustavsson still has some runway to be the No. 1 for 2025-26, but the shadow of Wallstedt’s potential will loom larger in future campaigns.

Montreal Canadiens in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 28, penalty-kill rank: 13):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share: 70.9%, fantasy points: 87, fantasy rank: 265 (19 among goalies), age in October: 28.9)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share: 17.2%, fantasy points: 18.8, fantasy rank: 576 (51 among goalies), age in October: 24.3, restricted FA)

• Cayden Primeau (crease share: 11.9%, fantasy points: -31.2, fantasy rank: 748 (91 among goalies), age in October: 26.1)

Montembeault is a prime candidate to take a big step forward for fantasy production next season. The team around him is on the rise, he’s shown flashes of shutdown ability throughout this season and the crease should be all his for 2025-26.

Nashville Predators in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 25, penalty-kill rank: 9):

• Juuse Saros (crease share: 69.8%, fantasy points: 53.4, fantasy rank: 423 (31 among goalies), age in October: 30.5)

• Justus Annunen (crease share: 37.9%, fantasy points: 28 (22.2 with NSH), fantasy rank: 540 (50 among goalies), age in October: 25.6)

A goaltender can only do so much in a bad situation. Saros has been a trooper, but despite the workhorse status, it’s hard to consider him a must-draft for 2025-26 given the team’s current trajectory. And what can change? Didn’t they just have an epic offseason of free-agent signings? A lot of good that did for Saros in the crease.

New Jersey Devils in 76 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 11, penalty-kill rank: 4):

• Jacob Markstrom (crease share: 60.1%, fantasy points: 94, fantasy rank: 234 (16 among goalies), age in October: 35.7)

• Jake Allen (crease share: 35.4%, fantasy points: 61, fantasy rank: 387 (25 among goalies), age in October: 35.2, unrestricted FA)

• Nico Daws (crease share: 4.5%, fantasy points: 26, fantasy rank: 549 (47 among goalies), age in October: 24.8)

The Devils had a rough season in the injury department again. We certainly saw enough of the good times from Markstrom to know he’s an elite fantasy pick going into 2025-26. He has the potential to take more than 70% of the crease share in a healthy season, so he’s a virtual lock for top-10 production if he and his teammates can stay on the ice.

New York Islanders in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 12.5, penalty-kill rank: 30):

• Ilya Sorokin (crease share: 72.4%, fantasy points: 105.8, fantasy rank: 179 (11 among goalies), age in October: 30.2)

• Semyon Varlamov (crease share: 13.8%, fantasy points: 3.4, fantasy rank: 680 (64 among goalies), age in October: 37.4)

• Marcus Hogberg (crease share: 12.1%, fantasy points: 12.4, fantasy rank: 612 (55 among goalies), age in October: 30.9)

• Jakub Skarek (crease share: 1.7%, fantasy points: -3.2, fantasy rank: 730 (75 among goalies), age in October: 25.9)

Back surgery a problem? Nah, Sorokin will still push for top-10 fantasy goaltender statistics, and he is doing just that on an Islanders team that has been atrocious on the penalty kill. More consistency and wins from the Isles, and Sorokin will be back among the position’s best.

New York Rangers in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 22, penalty-kill rank: 6):

• Igor Shesterkin (crease share: 71.3%, fantasy points: 105.2, fantasy rank: 181.5 (12 among goalies), age in October: 29.8)

• Jonathan Quick (crease share: 27.4%, fantasy points: 36.6, fantasy rank: 490 (37 among goalies), age in October: 39.7)

• Louis Domingue (crease share: 1.4%, fantasy points: 5, fantasy rank: 663.5 (62 among goalies), age in October: 33.6)

So Shesterkin is human and does have his fate somewhat tied to the team in front of him. That wasn’t clear before this season, with his previous fantasy results seemingly impervious to external factors. Regardless of whether the Rangers slip into the playoffs, we can expect some offseason improvements and a resurgent campaign from Shesterkin and crew in 2025-26.

Ottawa Senators in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 12.5, penalty-kill rank: 19):

• Linus Ullmark (crease share: 49.8%, fantasy points: 94.8, fantasy rank: 222 (15 among goalies), age in October: 32.2)

• Anton Forsberg (crease share: 32.9%, fantasy points: 32.2, fantasy rank: 512.5 (40 among goalies), age in October: 32.8, unrestricted FA)

• Leevi Merilainen (crease share: 15.2%, fantasy points: 52.8, fantasy rank: 421 (31 among goalies), age in October: 23.1)

• Mads Sogaard (crease share: 2.1%, fantasy points: -5.6, fantasy rank: 734 (79 among goalies), age in October: 24.8)

With a sub-50% crease share at the moment, Ullmark has managed to be top 15 among goalies. This Senators club keeps taking strides forward, with the playoffs looking likely this season. Don’t forget that Merilainen showed a ton of potential when tasked with filling in for the injured Ullmark; It wouldn’t be a shock if Forsberg needs to find a new home.

Philadelphia Flyers in 76 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 30.5, penalty-kill rank: 18):

• Samuel Ersson (crease share: 53%, fantasy points: 28.4, fantasy rank: 538.5 (45.5 among goalies), age in October: 25.9)

• Ivan Fedotov (crease share: 29.9%, fantasy points: -9.2, fantasy rank: 746 (85 among goalies), age in October: 28.8)

• Aleksei Kolosov (crease share: 17.1%, fantasy points: -12.6, fantasy rank: 748 (86 among goalies), age in October: 23.7)

All experience is good experience, right? The Flyers crease isn’t on track to be a factor in the 2025-26 fantasy season, but these young goalies are going to be very well-seasoned when it does come time to start winning.

Pittsburgh Penguins in 75 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 30.5, penalty-kill rank: 17):

• Alex Nedeljkovic (crease share: 44.9%, fantasy points: 23.6, fantasy rank: 551 (48 among goalies), age in October: 29.7)

• Tristan Jarry (crease share: 38%, fantasy points: 26.4, fantasy rank: 538 (44 among goalies), age in October: 30.4)

• Joel Blomqvist (crease share: 17.1%, fantasy points: -5.8, fantasy rank: 735 (80 among goalies), age in October: 23.7)

This has been a wild ride in the crease, but so many goals have been scored on the Penguins this season that it doesn’t bode well for an improvement next year. There are hints of potential across all three of these goaltenders, especially after Jarry came back from his AHL demotion and has played well down the stretch. But for this to matter, the Penguins have to retool into a competitor. That’s a big ask.

San Jose Sharks in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 29, penalty-kill rank: 27):

• Alexandar Georgiev (crease share: 58%, fantasy points: -27.8 (-27.6 with SJS), fantasy rank: 747 (90 among goalies), age in October: 29.6, unrestricted FA)

• Yaroslav Askarov (crease share: 16.4%, fantasy points: 8, fantasy rank: 638 (58 among goalies), age in October: 23.3)

• Georgi Romanov (crease share: 3.6%, fantasy points: -13.4, fantasy rank: 742 (86 among goalies), age in October: 25.8)

The stars are aligned for Askarov to be handed the keys next season, but how do we approach that for fantasy? Ask managers with Dustin Wolf this season if it’s OK to trust a rookie netminder. Askarov will be a leap of faith at the draft next season, but arguably one worth taking.

Seattle Kraken in 75 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 27, penalty-kill rank: 21):

• Joey Daccord (crease share: 66.6%, fantasy points: 98.2, fantasy rank: 216 (13 among goalies), age in October: 29.1)

• Philipp Grubauer (crease share: 31.4%, fantasy points: -19.8, fantasy rank: 753 (90 among goalies), age in October: 33.9)

• Ales Stezka (crease share: 1.3%, fantasy points: -2.2, fantasy rank: 736 (75 among goalies), age in October: 28.7)

• Nikke Kokko (crease share: 0.7%, fantasy points: -3.2, fantasy rank: 738 (77 among goalies), age in October: 21.5)

Daccord will be worth rostering again as a No. 2 fantasy goaltender, but the ceiling isn’t very high. You’ll get serviceable and consistent starts, but nothing game-breaking. It will be interesting to see if the team looks to part with Grubauer, who hasn’t been NHL quality this season. Kokko had a pretty good rookie season in the AHL, but is still just 21 years old.

St. Louis Blues in 75 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 10, penalty-kill rank: 29):

• Jordan Binnington (crease share: 65.3%, fantasy points: 88.6, fantasy rank: 259.5 (17.5 among goalies), age in October: 32.2)

• Joel Hofer (crease share: 34.7%, fantasy points: 59.2, fantasy rank: 393.5 (27.5 among goalies), age in October: 25.2, restricted FA)

There are some similarities between the Ducks crease and the Blues, except the veteran here is still making his case to be the No. 1. But it will be hard to keep Hofer out of a larger crease share next season, especially if he signs a somewhat-lucrative bridge deal. Whoever is in the crease, we should see better results, especially if the Blues can fix their penalty kill.

Tampa Bay Lightning in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 6.5, penalty-kill rank: 7):

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (crease share: 77.5%, fantasy points: 200, fantasy rank: 6 (2 among goalies), age in October: 31.2)

• Jonas Johansson (crease share: 21.2%, fantasy points: 25.2, fantasy rank: 547 (47 among goalies), age in October: 30, unrestricted FA)

• Brandon Halverson (crease share: 1.3%, fantasy points: -6.2, fantasy rank: 736 (81 among goalies), age in October: 29.5)

Vasilevskiy is still going strong and the window is still wide open for the Lightning. He’ll be a top-two goalie pick again next season.

Toronto Maple Leafs in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 6.5, penalty-kill rank: 16):

• Joseph Woll (crease share: 51.1%, fantasy points: 96.6, fantasy rank: 216 (14 among goalies), age in October: 27.2)

• Anthony Stolarz (crease share: 38%, fantasy points: 88.4, fantasy rank: 261 (18 among goalies), age in October: 31.7)

• Dennis Hildeby (crease share: 8.2%, fantasy points: -0.6, fantasy rank: 724 (68 among goalies), age in October: 24.1)

• Matt Murray (crease share: 2.7%, fantasy points: 0.2, fantasy rank: 720 (67 among goalies), age in October: 31.4)

How this crease looks in 2025-26 probably depends a lot on what happens in the playoffs. While this duo of Woll and Stolarz has been rock solid in the regular season, it might be a tough sell for the Leafs to run them back out again if there’s another early exit from the postseason. That said, there aren’t a lot of other choices. There’s also the world in which one of them, especially Woll, becomes a hero in the postseason and takes a lion’s share of the tandem headed into next season. That could result in some fruitful fantasy returns.

Utah Hockey Club in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 16, penalty-kill rank: 10):

• Karel Vejmelka (crease share: 65.9%, fantasy points: 81.8, fantasy rank: 290 (21 among goalies), age in October: 29.4)

• Connor Ingram (crease share: 27.1%, fantasy points: 6.4, fantasy rank: 650 (60 among goalies), age in October: 28.5)

• Jaxson Stauber (crease share: 7%, fantasy points: 6.2, fantasy rank: 653 (61 among goalies), age in October: 26.4)

In the context of minimal fantasy value on the whole, Vejmelka was the winner in the Utah crease this season. But is he in for a mammoth campaign next season? It’s not a concept we should outlaw completely, but this time last year it was Ingram that appeared to be the future of the crease. The team is on the right trajectory overall, so this could be a competition that matters for fantasy hockey in 2025-26.

Vancouver Canucks in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 20.5, penalty-kill rank: 3):

• Kevin Lankinen (crease share: 62.7%, fantasy points: 88.6, fantasy rank: 259.5 (17.5 among goalies), age in October: 30.4)

• Thatcher Demko (crease share: 25.1%, fantasy points: 19.8, fantasy rank: 568 (50 among goalies), age in October: 29.8)

• Arturs Silovs (crease share: 12.2%, fantasy points: -15.8, fantasy rank: 744 (87 among goalies), age in October: 24.5)

It’s difficult to assess the Canucks for 2025-26. Demko missed a lot of time, but would his presence have changed the outcome in enough games? Would he, with the minutes that Lankinen had to play, have been a fantasy factor on this team? Demko will be a fantasy pick much like Kuemper was this year at drafts — high risk, but very high reward.

Vegas Golden Knights in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 15, penalty-kill rank: 24):

• Adin Hill (crease share: 60.8%, fantasy points: 131.2, fantasy rank: 90.5 (8 among goalies), age in October: 29.4)

• Ilya Samsonov (crease share: 38.4%, fantasy points: 46, fantasy rank: 446 (34 among goalies), age in October: 28.6, unrestricted FA)

• Akira Schmid (crease share: 0.8%, fantasy points: 2.4, fantasy rank: 692.5 (65.5 among goalies), age in October: 25.4)

Hill will be a solid fantasy play so long as the Golden Knights remain in this competitive window, which appears to be at least a few more seasons. Samsonov has been more than good enough as his backup, but may have earned a raise — either from the Vegas or another team. It may sound like a broken record, but Samsonov would be interesting if another team takes a chance on making him their primary starter.

Washington Capitals in 73 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 6.5, penalty-kill rank: 5):

• Logan Thompson (crease share: 57.2%, fantasy points: 143.6, fantasy rank: 58 (5 among goalies), age in October: 28.6)

• Charlie Lindgren (crease share: 42.8%, fantasy points: 49.6, fantasy rank: 435 (33 among goalies), age in October: 31.8)

Thompson was an absolute revelation that stole fantasy leagues this season. He won’t catch anyone by surprise in 2025-26, but there is no reason not to expect more of the same success.

Winnipeg Jets in 74 games (5-on-5 goals rank: 1, penalty-kill rank: 14):

• Connor Hellebuyck (crease share: 76.1%, fantasy points: 250.8, fantasy rank: 1 (1 among goalies), age in October: 32.4)

• Eric Comrie (crease share: 23.9%, fantasy points: 35.6, fantasy rank: 496 (38 among goalies), age in October: 30.2)

What more can we say about what Hellebuyck has done this season? He’ll have a pile of trophies to add to his shelf after he rewarded fantasy managers by giving them security at the most difficult position to handle in leagues. He’ll be 32 for next season, so still well within a goaltender’s prime seasons. The only question is whether he should compete for the first-overall fantasy selection, especially given the goaltender climate we are in.