Connor Hellebuyck anchors the top-5 fantasy goalie list, with Andrei Vasilevskiy close behind and Jake Oettinger rounding out the trio. Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky slot in at 4 and 5, respectively, as teams with elite defenses and strong workloads buoy their fantasy ceilings.

Florida’s stout blue line, Dallas’ balanced forward corps, Winnipeg’s workload monster, Tampa Bay’s system, and New York’s revamped roster drive the value of these anchors. Expect heavy starts, big win totals, and some bounce-back potential from Shesterkin in a rebound year.

Draft strategy centers on locking in an elite anchor early and snagging supportive options on top-tier teams, then hunting depth later in the draft to sustain a high-win, high-save pace throughout the season.

Igor Shesterkin anchors the NHL’s goalie elite, with Connor Hellebuyck and Sergei Bobrovsky close behind. Andrei Vasilevskiy sits in the next tier, then Juuse Saros, Illya Sorokin, and Jeremy Swayman. Frederik Andersen and Darcy Kuemper round out the top 10, offering durability and playoff pedigree.

Context matters as much as talent: regular-season metrics mingle with playoff performance and team support. Shesterkin remains the anchor; Kuemper and Andersen provide steady workloads and potential streaming wins when the schedule is dense.

Igor Shesterkin anchors a New York Rangers turnaround saga, with a summer roadmap that centers on regaining elite form after a franchise-record extension raised the temperature on every night the puck leaves his stick. The discussion weighs worst-case risk (mid-season funks, veteran pressure) against best-case returns (playoff-elite, leadership emergence) and emphasizes the need for stronger support from teammates and a cleaner start to the campaign. The topic also contrasts Shesterkin’s artistry with the realities of a volatile goalie position and the risks and rewards of paying top dollar for a perennial big-game performer.

Artemi Panarin’s pivotal presence and Dylan Garand’s progression offer a broader lens: the Rangers’ ceiling hinges on both stabilizing goaltending and tighter team cohesion. The panel flags Demko, Oettinger, Vasilevskiy, Bobrovsky, and Quick as benchmark playoff enforcers, underscoring that the best path to a deep run involves a multi-cat effort—hot goalie nights, timely scoring, and a defense that keeps chances reasonable. All of this sets the stage for a high-stakes, eye-popping 2025-26 for the Rangers.

The Florida Panthers are on the verge of becoming a dynasty, having reached three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. With an elite roster, including strong coaching and management, they boast multiple fantasy stars. Sergey Bobrovsky, despite being 37, remains a dependable goaltender with consistent performance. Carter Verhaeghe is a valuable forward, while Sam Bennett brings grit and scoring potential. Alexander Barkov's injury history raises questions, but he has top-tier point potential, and Sam Reinhardt is emerging as a premier scorer.

Rick Tockett is poised to become the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, marking a significant return to the franchise where he began his NHL career. Tockett, who previously led the Vancouver Canucks, is expected to instill a hard-nosed style of hockey while also invigorating the Flyers' offensive strategies after several years of rebuilding. His tenure in Vancouver showed both promise and issues, particularly regarding team dynamics, which raises questions about how effectively he can adapt to the Flyers’ current roster. With multiple coaching openings across the NHL, Tockett’s selection highlights the Flyers' aspirations to re-establish competitive play.

As the Stanley Cup playoffs progress, discussions around player performance and critical matchups continue. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are under scrutiny, particularly in their tight playoff series. Key players such as Auston Matthews must step up as their scoring has been inconsistent, especially during pivotal moments. Meanwhile, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky appears to be heating up, potentially posing a significant challenge for opposing offenses.