Welcome again to The Journey, the place we monitor the event of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push in direction of stardom.
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Whereas not a whole lot of younger goaltenders have taken over because the undisputed starter simply but, a lot are taking advantage of their probabilities and some have already staked their declare. Guys like Filip Gustavsson, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman have moved into that subsequent tier, displaying they’ll carry the load. For this piece, I’m leaning on the High 100 Keeper League Goaltender Rankings – Could 2025 because the framework to spotlight the place a few of these younger goalies stand. To maintain issues targeted, I’ve narrowed it all the way down to goalies who’ve seen NHL motion this season and performed at the very least 15 video games, in any other case, we’d be going deep into your complete prospect pool, which isn’t off the desk for one more time.
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Tier 1
Dustin Wolf – Calgary Flames – 53 video games performed
Wolf’s rookie marketing campaign was every little thing Calgary may have hoped for. The 24-year-old took on a full starter’s workload, showing in 53 video games and delivering 29 wins with a .910 save share. These stats solely scratch the floor of what he achieved. At even energy, Wolf posted an elite .926 save share on 1,216 photographs, and his 5-on-5 xGA got here in at 107.11, an impressive mark that speaks to his robust positioning and shot suppression. This degree of efficiency at 5-on-5, the place most video games are determined, indicators the presence of a authentic high-end starter.
His constantly gave Calgary an opportunity to win, recording seven sport “steals”, meaning video games the place his play straight salvaged factors, typically in in any other case dropping eventualities. What’s most telling is Calgary’s religion in him. Not often are rookie goalies trusted with this degree of duty. He was pulled simply twice all season, a testomony to being calm below strain, even when Calgary’s construction broke down. He doesn’t over commit conditions, doesn’t beat himself, and infrequently loses composure.
The power to carry out no matter crew high quality makes him a dependable fantasy possibility. His sport just isn’t reliant on highlight-reel acrobatics, however somewhat it’s constructed sound method and psychological resilience. He’s already a Calder Memorial Trophy Finalist and if he maintains this trajectory, Wolf isn’t just Calgary’s long-term No. 1, he’s monitoring towards top-10 fantasy relevance throughout the subsequent two seasons.
Tier 2
Lukas Dostal – Anaheim Geese – 54 video games performed
In his sophomore season, Dostal took the lions share as Anaheim’s major netminder logging 54 appearances and firmly taking the reins whereas John Gibson handled accidents, together with a 12-game absence to begin the 12 months following an appendectomy. This gave Dostal an prolonged alternative to show himself. His 23-23-7 report mirrored the Geese’ struggles but in addition mirrored his personal developmental curve.
Dostal’s .903 save share and three.10 goals-against common have been modest features from final season, however the actual progress got here in high quality of begins. His High quality Begin share jumped from 38.6% to 50%, and he managed to steal 10 video games which is especially spectacular on a crew that completed among the many backside three in Western Convention scoring. To not point out behind one of many league’s weakest defensive buildings, Dostal managed a put up a formidable GSAx of 12.04.
As for Gibson, commerce rumors will proceed to swirl however it continues to really feel extra hypothetical than imminent. Till a transfer materializes, Dostal is prone to share duties in a 1A/1B cut up. Nonetheless, with Joel Quenneville now a part of the Geese’ group, Anaheim could change into a extra engaging touchdown spot probably shifting the crew’s trajectory. If the blue line will get some assist, Dostal’s mixture of high-leverage efficiency and rising workload may push him past a worth choose and into dependable fantasy starter territory.
Tier 3
Spencer Knight – Chicago Blackhawks – 38 video games performed
It’s really arduous to imagine because it appears now we have been speaking about Knight for a while now, however he’s solely 24 years outdated and almost has 100 video games below his belt throughout 4 seasons. After a full 12 months away from NHL motion in 2023–24, Knight returned to the NHL this season and took significant steps ahead, splitting the season between Florida and Chicago.
Knight appeared in a complete 38 video games incomes a 17-16-3 report behind two very totally different defensive buildings. His 0.902 SV% and a pair of.70 GAA have been stable contemplating the amount and surroundings and underlying numbers present a goaltender beginning to reassert himself. Good GSAx stats a 6.1, he posted a GSAA of 1.9, indicating that his efficiency was barely higher than league common even after transitioning mid-season from a contender (Florida) to a rebuilding crew (Chicago).
Knight is below contract for one more season at which level he can be a free agent. Chicago seems to be positioning him as their go-to possibility within the crease, and subsequent season can be his true take a look at, each in dealing with the load that comes with a big-market highlight and managing the grind of a full NHL schedule. If he can solidify himself because the clear starter, the amount alone may translate into significant worth.
Tier 4
Joel Hofer – St. Louis Blues – 31 video games performed
Hofer continues to quietly construct his case as a long-term piece within the Blues’ crease. Whereas his floor stats took a slight dip from his rookie marketing campaign, Hofer stays a dependable tandem possibility with robust fantasy streaming enchantment. His 5v5 SV% held regular at .923, with an even-strength SV% of .922, almost an identical to final 12 months.
Hofer is shaping right into a reliable 1B with potential or extra if the Blues ever pivot from Binnington or shift towards a youth motion. Keep watch over his deployment, if the begins climb into the 35–40 vary. Jordan Binnington stays the established starter in St. Louis, and whereas Hofer has proven promising growth, the crease nonetheless belongs primarily to Binnington, at the very least for now.
If it weren’t for Binnington’s 4 Nations efficiency, I really feel Hofer could be slightly additional within the dialog of creeping in on Binnington’s numbers. Regardless of periodic stretches of robust play from Binnington, his inconsistency continues to be a storyline. Nonetheless, his veteran standing, contract safety (nonetheless signed by 2026–27), and previous success (2019 Stanley Cup win) proceed to earn him the belief of the teaching employees.
Tier 5
Jakub Dobeš – Montreal Canadians – 16 video games
Dobeš had restricted however encouraging displaying in his first go on the NHL, showing in 16 video games for the Canadiens. He carried out properly above expectations in spot begins and held his personal as a quantity two possibility when known as upon. In comparison with Sam Montembeault, who noticed 62 begins, Dobeš nonetheless trails in position safety. Montembeault stays the trusted go-to possibility, providing stability regardless of some inconsistent stretches.
His small pattern suggests he’s a reputation to observe because the season progress. Until Montembeault regresses or suffers an damage, Dobeš is probably going headed for one more season in a backup position. The Canadiens early playoff exits leaves so much to wonder if a wholesome Montembeault may have modified the end result towards Washington.
Montreal is clearly constructing towards the longer term, and giving Dobeš extra begins subsequent season could be a logical step. A 20+ sport workload is reasonable if his development continues. He’s not able to steal the crease outright, however he’s shaping right into a viable 1B possibility with long-term upside. The wildcard right here is Jacob Fowler, who’s ready within the wings. His rise may complicate the image, however for now, a stretch of robust, low-volatility play may give Dobeš an actual shot at pushing for extra begins by midseason.
Joel Blomqvist – Pittsburgh Penguins – 15 video games
Within the greater image, Blomqvist stays behind each Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic on the Penguins’ depth chart, which isn’t saying so much. Jarry continues to carry the starter’s crease when wholesome, regardless of ongoing inconsistencies, whereas Nedeljkovic provides the crew a stopgap possibility albeit not the best.
Blomqvist, in the meantime, is clearly in a growth part, adjusting to NHL-caliber shooters and dealing by the rising pains that include the transition. His numbers have taken a success this season, however that’s simply as a lot a mirrored image of Pittsburgh’s defensive points as it’s his personal efficiency. Rebound management and consistency stay areas of concern, and till these enhance, it’s powerful to see a transparent NHL path, not to mention fantasy relevance. Even with the goalies forward of him struggling to lock issues down, Blomqvist just isn’t able to capitalize simply but. For now, he’s a long-term mission with some upside, however fantasy managers can safely move except the scenario in Pittsburgh shifts dramatically.
Thanks for studying! See you subsequent week. For extra content material/fantasy hockey evaluation, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cowl, observe and message me on X @Punters_hockey
