This is the final column in the series focused on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column, followed by right and left wingers and then blueliners. In-between each ranking column has been a fantasy article by Jason Chen focused on a different aspect than the positions. Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the other aspects that a netminder brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list.
1. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning:
Vasilevskiy entered the 2024-25 season with questions if his decline has started. He put that to bed, going went 38-20-5 with a 2.18 goals-against average (GAA) and a .921 save percentage over 63 games, though the Lightning couldn't get past the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. Vasilevskiy has showed his performance last season was not a one-time slowing of the inevitable decline, as he is an impressive 27-7-3 with a 2.11 GAA and .920 save percentage. He entered the break on an eight-game win streak and had not lost in regulation since Dec. 18 (16-0-1).
2. Brandon Bussi, Carolina Hurricanes:
Bussi signed with Florida in July after spending his first few seasons in the Boston organization. He was placed on waivers October 4 and signed the next day by Carolina. Normally, that would just be an agate type item in the transactions list in the newspaper. For the Hurricanes, that move has been a godsend, as Bussi has rescued what would have been a nightmarish situation between the pipes. Bussi is 23-3-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .906 save percentage over 27 appearances and inked a three-year, $5.7 million extension earlier in the week.
3. Mackenzie Blackwood, Colorado Avalanche:
Blackwood opened the season on the injured list with Scott Wedgewood ably filling in between the pipes. He returned in early-November, picking back up from where he left off last season. Blackwood is 16-5-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .916 save percentage in 22 appearances, mostly splitting time with Wedgewood. Colorado will likely eventually ride the hot hand with Blackwood having a good shot to be the choice between the pipes.
4. Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders:
Sorokin started 2025-26 in brutal fashion but rebounded and has looked like the brilliant netminder from 2022-23. His turnaround has been so complete, Sorokin now sits in the top 10 in wins (20, tied for 10th), GAA (2.44, eighth), and save percentage (.916, tied for third), while leading the NHL with six shutouts. Sorokin’s brilliant play is one of the main reasons why the Islanders are in playoff contention, while also pushing him into Vezina Trophy consideration.
5. Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals:
After arriving from Vegas prior to the 2024-25 campaign, Thompson went 31-6-6 with a 2.49 GAA and a .910 save percentage over 43 appearances. He parlayed that fine season into a six-year, $35.1 million contract with the Capitals that January. Thompson has been almost as good this season, going 19-16-4 with a 2.45 GAA and a .912 save percentage across 39 starts. His play since arriving in Washington earned Thompson a berth on the Canadian Olympic team.
6. Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars:
Oettinger in on pace for his fifth straight 30-win campaign, though he has not been as dominant as in years’ past. He is 23-10-4 but with a 2.73 GAA and an .897 save percentage through 37 starts. Oettinger notched six straight wins prior to the break, albeit with a save percentage below.900 in five of those appearances. He earned a spot on the US Olympic Team but has not seen any action between the pipes. Look for Oettinger to use that snub as fuel for a strong stretch run.
7. Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild:
Wallstedt, a first-round pick, 20th overall in 2021, did not inspire much confidence last season either in the AHL or NHL. Thought of as the Wild’s goalie of the future, Wallstedt entered 2025-26 as a major question mark, especially with Filip Gustavsson seemingly set as the team’s #1 netminder. Wallstedt is living up to his draft status, posting a 14-5-4 record, 2.72 GAA and .913 save percentage in 23 outings this season while splitting time in net with the Gus Bus.
8. Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets:
Greaves went 7-2-2 with a 1.91 GAA and a .938 save percentage over 11 games last season, including winning five straight to close out the regular season with both of his shutouts for the year. That performance was enough to create some doubt if Elvis Merzlikins or Greaves would enter 2025-26 as Columbus’ top netminder. Merzlikins has rounded into form since the coaching change, but Greaves is not ceding the spot without a fight. He won six straight decisions dating back to Jan. 11 to close the first half, posting a 2.10 GAA and .924 save percentage
9. Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins:
Swayman split time with Linus Ullmark early in his career, taking on the role as the Bruins’ #1 goalie with Ullmark signing in Ottawa. A training camp holdout before signing an eight-year, $66 million contract with Boston in October of 2024, Swayman – and the Bruins - struggled mightily last season. Both he and Boston have rebounded in 2025-26 with Swayman posting a 22-12-3 record, 2.92 GAA and .903 save percentage in 38 outings.
10. Karel Vejmelka, Utah Mammoth:
Vejmelka is tied with Vasilevskiy for the league-lead in wins with 27 victories. He has a 2.58 GAA for the second straight campaign along with a .904 save percentage. Utah rides Vejmelka between the pipes, as he is tied with Juuse Saros for most games played and starts with 44 to date. Vejmelka has provided Utah with more than solid netminder, which is why Utah sits in the first Wild Card spot.
Honorable mention: John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings, Lukas Dostal, Anaheim Ducks, Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers, Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild, Philipp Grubauer, Seattle Kraken, Spencer Knight, Chicago Blackhawks and Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers