Unveiling the Top Gloves: Your 2022-23 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings!
Alright, hockey fans, let's dive into the crease and talk about the most important position in fantasy hockey – the goalie. We know you're here to find out who the best fantasy hockey goalies are for the 2022-23 season, so let's not waste any time and unveil our top goalie rankings! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and goalie rankings fantasy hockey.
Why Goalies Matter in Fantasy Hockey
Before we get started, let's quickly talk about why goalies are so crucial in fantasy hockey. Unlike other positions, goalies have the potential to single-handedly win or lose your matchups. A hot goalie can steal points for you, while a cold one can cost you dearly. That's why it's essential to draft a reliable starting goalie and have a solid backup plan.
Our Top 10 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings for 2022-23
Alright, enough talk. Let's get to the good stuff – our top 10 fantasy hockey goalie rankings for the 2022-23 season!
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Start with the best, right? Vasilevskiy has been nothing short of dominant since taking over the starting role in Tampa Bay. Last season, he finished with a 2.21 GAA and .925 SV% en route to winning the Vezina Trophy. With the Lightning's stacked roster in front of him, Vasilevskiy is a slam-dunk first-round pick in fantasy drafts.
2. Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Hellebuyck has been one of the most consistent goalies in fantasy hockey over the past few seasons. He's posted a GAA under 2.50 and a SV% over .915 in each of the last four seasons. With a new contract in hand, Hellebuyck is ready to build on his Vezina-winning 2020-21 campaign.
3. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
Shesterkin burst onto the scene in his rookie season, posting a 2.59 GAA and .935 SV% en route to winning the Calder Trophy. He followed that up with an even better sophomore campaign, finishing with a 2.07 GAA and .935 SV% – both of which led the league. Shesterkin is the real deal, folks. Draft him with confidence.
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Wait, what? Auston Matthews?! I know, I know, he's not a goalie. But hear me out – if you're in a points-only league or a league that rewards goals and assists, Matthews is a must-draft. He led the league in goals last season with 60 and is a lock for 50+ goals again this year. Plus, he's got a sweet flow, so there's that.
5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Price has been one of the best goalies in fantasy hockey for years, but injuries have limited him to just 24 games over the past two seasons. If he can stay healthy, Price has the potential to be a top-3 goalie. But buyer beware – he's a risky pick due to his injury history.
6. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Saros has been one of the most underrated goalies in fantasy hockey for years, but that's about to change. He finished last season with a 2.28 GAA and .927 SV%, and with the Predators' improved roster, Saros is ready to take the next step.
7. Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
Andersen had a rough season in 2021-22, but he's still a talented goalie who can win you weeks. With the Hurricanes' strong defensive system and goaltending coach Mike Bales, Andersen has the potential to bounce back in a big way.
8. John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Gibson has been one of the most consistent goalies in fantasy hockey over the past few seasons, posting a GAA under 2.80 and a SV% over .915 in each of the last five seasons. He's not flashy, but he gets the job done.
9. Jacob Markström, Calgary Flames
Markström had a solid first season in Calgary, posting a 2.64 GAA and .922 SV%. With the Flames' high-powered offense in front of him, Markström has the potential to take a step forward this season.
10. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks
Demko has been one of the most exciting young goalies in the NHL over the past few seasons, and he's ready to take the next step. He finished last season with a 2.72 GAA and .915 SV%, and with the Canucks' improved roster, Demko has the potential to be a top-5 goalie.
Sleepers and Streamers
Alright, we've talked about the big dogs. Now let's talk about some sleepers and streamers who could help you win your league.
Sleepers
These goalies might not be on your radar, but they have the potential to outperform their draft position.
- Alexandar Georgiev, Colorado Avalanche: Georgiev had a solid season in New York last year, and now he gets to back up one of the best teams in the league. If he gets the chance to start, he could be a steal. - Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers: Campbell had a rough season in Toronto last year, but he's still a talented goalie who can win you games. With the Oilers' high-powered offense in front of him, Campbell has the potential to bounce back in a big way. - Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders: Sorokin has been one of the most promising young goalies in the NHL over the past few seasons, and he's ready to take the next step. He finished last season with a 2.28 GAA and .925 SV%, and with the Islanders' strong defensive system, Sorokin has the potential to be a top-10 goalie.
Streamers
These goalies might not be worth drafting, but they could help you win weeks with hot streaks.
- Adin Hill, Buffalo Sabres: Hill had a solid season in Arizona last year, and now he gets to start for one of the worst teams in the league. If you're in a deep league or just looking for a streaming option, Hill could be a solid pickup. - Carter Hart, Philadelphia Flyers: Hart has been one of the most frustrating goalies in fantasy hockey over the past few seasons, but he's still talented enough to win you weeks. If you're looking for a high-risk, high-reward streaming option, Hart could be your guy. - Anton Khudobin, Vegas Golden Knights: Khudobin had a rough season in Dallas last year, but he's still a talented goalie who can win you games. With the Golden Knights' strong roster in front of him, Khudobin has the potential to be a solid streaming option.
Final Thoughts
Alright, folks, that's our take on the top fantasy hockey goalie rankings for the 2022-23 season. Remember, goalies are crucial to your fantasy team's success, so don't sleep on them in drafts.
Whether you're drafting Vasilevskiy in the first round or streaming Hill in the later rounds, make sure you have a solid plan in place for the goalie position. Good luck, and we'll see you on the ice!