Performance and potential will get the top 10 goalie prospects most of the way to the NHL. But with most of the 32 NHL teams running with one starting goalie and a backup, it takes time for new netminders to break through into one of the league's 64 spots. Whoever's ahead of these youngsters on the depth chart will also affect when and where they make it to The Show. The Hockey News' Future Watch 2026 issue is out now [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?variant=43132127314054], featuring our exclusive top 100 prospects ranking with the input of NHL scouts, directors of player personnel and GMs Here are the 10 goalies who are on that list. JOSHUA RAVENSBERGEN, SAN JOSE SHARKS 19, Drafted 30th overall in 2025 Given the Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks]' young core and his timeline, Ravensbergen should arrive just as San Jose's window could be its widest. For now, the fundamentally sound 6-foot-5 keeper puts Prince George in WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl] title contention. NHL Arrival: 2030-31 TREY AUGUSTINE, DETROIT RED WINGS 21, Drafted 41st overall in 2023 Augustine has gone from stellar freshman to standout sophomore to dominant junior. He's not small, but average size means he's learned to use intelligence and athleticism. Forget the AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl]. He'll soon be vying for NHL minutes. NHL Arrival: 2027-28 JACOB FOWLER, MONTREAL CANADIENS 21, Drafted 69th overall in 2023 The Habs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] are rich in goaltenders – Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes split NHL starts – but Fowler's brief stints in the bigs are evidence he has the tools to crowd the crease by next year. He was an AHL all-star as a rookie. NHL Arrival: 2026-27 Canadiens: Friedman Believes The Door Is Wide Open For Fowler [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6247d75f-cb32-4413-b1c4-0cdec557f516.jpeg] Canadiens: Friedman Believes The Door Is Wide Open For Fowler Sportsnet's insider Elliotte Friedman the door is wide open for Jacob Fowler to finish the season with the Montreal Canadiens. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-friedman-believes-the-door-is-wide-open-for-fowler] EGOR ZAVRAGIN, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 20, Drafted 87th overall in 2023 Zavragin continues to split time between Russia's top- and second-tier circuits, and his KHL contract reportedly runs until 2027. But unless Dan Vladar's play is more than a mirage, Philly [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] needs a long-term solution in the crease. NHL Arrival: 2028-29 SEMYON FROLOV, CAROLINA HURRICANES 19, Drafted 41st overall in 2025 Carolina is already running with a goaltending triumvirate, and the Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] have depth in their prospect pool. Expect Frolov to marinate in Russia for several seasons – not unlike divisional foes Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin. NHL Arrival: 2031-32 MIKHAIL YEGOROV, NEW JERSEY DEVILS 19, Drafted 49th overall in 2024 Yegorov has size and poise, which were evident in his transition to the college game. New Jersey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils] won't rush him, likely opting for a stopgap between Jacob Markstrom – who's signed until 2028 – and when Yegorov is NHL-ready. NHL Arrival: 2029-30 PYOTR ANDREYANOV, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 19, Drafted 20th overall in 2025 Andreyanov's numbers improved when he stepped up to the pro game. The challenge will be unseating Jet Greaves, who looks ready to lock down the Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets]' starting gig. Realistically, he won't start challenging until the end of the decade. NHL Arrival: 2031-32 DMITRY GAMZIN, NEW YORK ISLANDERS 22, Drafted 115th overall in 2024 It's his contract, not talent or readiness, keeping Gamzin in the KHL. He's among the league's best, but he signed an extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/islanders-goaltending-prospect-dmitry-gamzin-signs-extension-with-cska-moscow] that runs until 2028. That lines up well for stepping into NHL duty, especially if Semyon Varlamov retires. NHL Arrival: 2028-29 SEBASTIAN COSSA, DETROIT RED WINGS 23, Drafted 15th overall in 2021 Cossa has proven he's ready. Now, only roster construction is keeping him out of the NHL. But with veteran Cam Talbot on a contract that expires at season's end, the Red Wings' backup job will be Cossa's to lose come 2026-27. NHL Arrival: 2026-27 HAMPTON SLUKYNSKY, LOS ANGELES KINGS 20, Drafted 118th overall in 2023 Backstopping Western Michigan to an NCAA [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa] crown raised Slukynsky's profile. Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] goalies Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg are locked up until 2027. After that, it's up to Slukynsky to push fellow prospect Carter George for NHL starts. NHL Arrival: 2028-29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7e8e6f95-4e13-476c-8597-864b74223e29.jpeg] This article [https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/722676/24?t=OPPORTUNITY%20BLOCKS] appeared in The Hockey News' Future Watch 2026 issue. Future Watch 2026 looks at the world's best prospects from every angle. We analyze the top 10 in the pipeline for each NHL club and count down the top 100 in the game. In addition, we take an in-depth look at how the Seattle Kraken are refining their development system, and we profile several of hockey's best youngsters, including Anton Frondell, Tij Iginla and Sebastian Cossa. You can order this issue now at The Hockey News' online store [https://thehockeynews.store/products/2026-future-watch-7908] or get it for free when you subscribe today at THN.com/free. [https://thehockeynews.store/products/2026-future-watch-7908]
