ESPN fantasy hockey hinges on goaltending. A starter thriving in saves and wins, while limiting goals against, can swing a season; a couple of bad outings can derail it. Top nets like Vasilevskiy, Hellebuyck and Oettinger offer clear cushions, while Shesterkin and Gustavsson present high ceilings. The piece advocates drafting one elite goalie early, then shopping for sleepers to fill the rest in 10-12 team leagues, using workload trends to guide picks.

Beyond the obvious anchors, it spotlights mid-tier options and late-round gambles, such as Swayman, and emphasizes monitoring surges and coaching context. In deeper leagues, secure a one-two punch, then pivot to high-ceiling backups who can emerge. ESPN Mock Draft Lobby is recommended to test rosters and refine the strategy.

Kaprizov's extension is the summer’s focal point for Minnesota. Eight years at ~$16 million AAV is on the table, but the clock might pressure him into a five- to seven-year structure with bonuses as leverage evolves.

If he drags feet past training camp, Wild may face tough choices, including exploring other options or trades to protect the asset. For fantasy players, the timing and structure of this deal will redefine cap planning and Kaprizov's fantasy ceiling this season.

Gustavsson has one year left on his Wild deal, and Minnesota faces a tough call: lock him in at a team-friendly price or let Wallstedt accelerate his rise. The starting-goalie market sits around five-and-a-half to six-and-a-half million, so any extension could influence Wallstedt’s timeline and the club’s cap strategy this season.

Wallstedt’s potential breakout and Gustavsson’s regression risk loom large for fantasy managers. The Oilers chatter in the broader rumor mill underscores how dynamic goaltending markets are across the league, making this a must-watch for dynasty and seasonal leagues alike.

Mason McTavish sits at the nexus of Anaheim’s long‑term plans and a rising fantasy ceiling. Negotiations haven’t produced a deal yet, as Anaheim weighs term and salary against his growing playmaking and two‑way game. McTavish could move from a current 2C projection to a true 1C with continued development, but the price tag will shape his role in fantasy lineups this season.

Filip Gustavsson is pursuing a longer contract with Minnesota, with both sides motivated to close in September. His ask sits alongside Wallstedt’s emergence, giving Minnesota goaltending depth and negotiating leverage. A target AAV around $6–7 million is plausible if the Wild commit long term, especially with Fleury in the fold and Wallstedt ready to back him up.

Marc‑Andre Fleury’s looming role as mentor shores up Minnesota’s goaltending plan, a factor in Gustavsson’s extension calculus. The veteran’s experience provides insurance and a pathway for both netminders to grow, potentially lifting Gustavsson’s confidence and the team’s readiness for a long‑term deal. Wallstedt’s proximity to the NHL adds another layer, letting Gustavsson show he can anchor a long‑term deal while Wallstedt rises.

The Minnesota Wild are evaluating their defensive depth as they aim to develop young prospects Zeev Buium and David Jiricek. With Declan Chisholm needing a raise that surpassed what the team is willing to pay for a seventh defenseman, he has signed a two-year deal with the Capitals. This decision leaves the Wild with the flexibility to seek additional blue line depth through the waiver wire at the end of training camp, should the need arise.

As the 2026 NHL free agency market approaches, excitement is building among fans. High-profile players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Artemi Panarin are poised to hit the market, while veterans such as Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin may seek new opportunities. The Buffalo Sabres face a dilemma with Bowen Byram, while teams eye players like Rasmus Andersson and Martin Necas for potential trades. Notably, Filip Gustavsson's future with the Wild remains uncertain as he approaches free agency.