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.

Dustin Wolf's seven-year extension with the Calgary Flames, worth 52.5 million and a 7.5 million AAV, signals a long-term commitment to the Calgary net. The deal includes a 10-team no-trade clause in the UFA years, reflecting belief in Wolf after a rookie season that showed elite control and upgrading his runway to stardom. Wolf appeared in 71 NHL games, posted a 29-16-8 record, 2.64 GAA, and .910 save percentage, with three shutouts and Calder Trophy chatter before Calgary missed the playoffs. The move also reshapes Calgary’s cap planning as they address core pieces and look to sustain contention.

The extension underscores Calgary’s faith in Wolf as the foundation of a bid to return to the postseason, while front-loading extensions like Conor Zary’s and signaling room to add around Wolf. It raises questions about Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri’s long-term futures, yet the message from the front office is clear: Wolf is here to stay, develop, and lead a rising Flames roster while the cap environment evolves.

Rangers pivot hard for 2025-26: Gavrikov shores up the blue line with a seven-year, $49 million bid, while Shesterkin eyes a bounce-back season behind a more stable defense. Miller was moved to Carolina, Kreider exits, and Mike Sullivan takes the bench reins in New York. Panarin, Zibanejad and Trocheck must drive a top six that can outscore rough patches; Cuylle and Lafreniere must grow into reliable secondary scoring. A tighter 5v5 foundation shapes a playoff push with Shesterkin back in form as the fulcrum.

Tri-State hockey betting is heating up as the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers power the local action. Wager volume has surged about 35% year over year, driven by online sportsbooks, enhanced odds, and live betting that lets fans ride the game’s momentum. Regulation changes across New Jersey and nearby states have widened the audience, while rivalries and playoff pursuits push line movement and engagement beyond traditional bets.

For fantasy bettors, the Devils’ steady climb and the Rangers’ high-stakes narrative create rich opportunities around game outcomes, player availability, and in-game props. Goaltending trends, injuries, and rostering depth shape value when key matchups unfold, especially in games featuring Igor Shesterkin. The overall scene blends loyalty with analytics, social pools with real-time action, signaling a bright, ongoing upside for hockey betting in the Tri-State area.