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.

Devils test depth with four PTOs as camp opens, signaling internal competition for bottom-six to fourth-line spots behind the New Jersey roster.

Across the league, McDavid’s extension with Edmonton remains in flux, Vasilevskiy sits at the pinnacle of goalie toughness, and the RFAs have mostly settled, though Formenton, McLeod, Hart, Dubé and Foote linger in reinstatement talk. For fantasy managers, track PTO winners, contract progress, and goalie workload as teams shape lines and rotations.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning have been named finalists for the prestigious Vezina Trophy for the 2024-25 season. This award is bestowed upon the league's best goaltender as voted by the 32 NHL general managers.

Hellebuyck, who previously won the award in 2020 and 2021, had a stellar season, achieving a career-high in wins (47), with eight shutouts, a .925 save percentage, and a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA). Kuemper, at age 34, bounced back with a record of 31-11-7, posting a .921 save percentage and a GAA of 2.02, while matching his personal best with five shutouts. Vasilevskiy, a former Vezina winner in 2019, contributed significantly with a 38-20-5 record, a .921 save percentage, a 2.18 GAA, and six shutouts.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is on track to reclaim the Vezina Trophy, having been nominated alongside Darcy Kuemper and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hellebuyck's stunning regular season featured 47 wins, 8 shutouts, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .925 save percentage, leading the Jets to the league's best record. However, his performance has faltered in the playoffs, with 11 goals allowed in two games against the St. Louis Blues, tying their first-round series.

Darcy Kuemper, in his second season with the Los Angeles Kings, enjoyed a solid campaign as well, posting a 31-11-7 record. Meanwhile, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a five-time finalist for the award, also had a commendable season with a 38-20-5 record, contributing to the Lightning’s postseason push. As playoff matchups intensify, all eyes will be on these goaltenders as they strive for excellence.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is vying for his second consecutive Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best goaltender. After an impressive 2024-25 regular season, with a league-leading 47 wins and a 2.00 goals-against average, his playoff performance has left fans concerned. Hellebuyck faltered in recent games against the St. Louis Blues, allowing 11 goals over two contests, leading to a tied series despite Winnipeg's regular-season dominance.

Joining Hellebuyck as finalists are Darcy Kuemper, who played a significant role in the Los Angeles Kings' success with 31 wins and a 2.02 GAA, and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a consistent presence with a solid track record. Both Kuemper and Vasilevskiy are also facing challenges in their respective playoff series.