Hey folks! Let’s talk about something that could transform your fantasy season goalies who were not on anyone’s radar but are suddenly lighting up the stats sheets. The blue paint remains one of the most volatile areas in hockey, where very few sure things exist in the entire league.
This is exactly why the ZeroG (zero goalies) strategy keeps gaining popularity among seasoned managers. Goalies experience dramatic ups and downs, can gain or lose their position in net after just one or two bad games, and might deliver a shutout only to get the hook in consecutive starts.
From my years managing teams, I have learned that goalies can do more harm to your score than good, especially when they get shelled early and lose the opportunity to right the ship and claw back to even fantasy points during the game.
Here’s what makes today’s list compelling: it’s quite likely that none or very few of these tendies were drafted in your league, yet most of them sit in the top 10 for key performance markers—depending on your league settings.
More importantly, none or very few of these tendies are also likely rostered in your league right now. If you need help fortifying your crease, you should consider these options and move quick before they are picked up on the waiver wire.
Make sure to check out our new Fantasy Hockey Projections. Outlooks at your fingertips that always give you an in-depth snapshot and accurate outlook of what to expect from every player, all season long. Powered by AI and refined by our experts, it’s become an indispensable tool for staying ahead of these hot starts.
Jakub Dobes – Montreal Canadiens
Jakub Dobes: Montreal’s Unexpected Net Presence
Sam Montembeault who? Kidding, of course, but seriously Monteambeault is losing ground quickly at the start of this season to Dobes, and it’s becoming no secret that something special is unfolding in Montreal.
Montembeault had an unreal season last year that really showed he can hold his own, and despite not playing in the Four Nations Face-Off, he was still selected, which was a huge sign of his emergence in the league. Dobes was slated to backup Monteambeault this season and was probably only going to get 20-25 starts with Montembeault carrying the majority of the load.
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However, based on performance, this duo has turned into a tandem and if it was a competition, Dobes would be winning with absolute elite numbers so far. From my experience watching crease battles evolve, when a backup posts these kinds of statistics, the conversation shifts quickly. Dobes may play himself into a starter position, which is great for him and better for the Habs.
While I would not count Monteambeault out options are always a luxury to have in the net the reality is striking: Dobes has four wins in four games started as a goaltender.
He also has a .950 save percentage, a 1.47 goals against average, and zero shutouts (though that last stat will likely change soon given his trajectory). What makes this situation fascinating isn’t just the raw numbers, but how rapidly the dynamic has shifted in Montreal’s crease, transforming what should have been a clear hierarchy into genuine intrigue about who deserves more ice time moving forward.
Tristan Jarry – Pittsburgh Penguins
Did anyone anticipate Jarry’s unexpected resurgence this year? Certainly not me that’s for sure. What makes his turnaround even more remarkable is the defensive state surrounding this team, where somehow Jarry is winning games while posting decent numbers to boot.
After all, we all know that both Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson always play defense first, right right?
The reality is Jarry has really taken quite a beating over the last couple seasons, with last year being basically unplayable in any fantasy format whatsoever. Honestly, if he was drafted in your league, I would be shocked, since most fantasy managers had completely abandoned hope after watching his consecutive decline.
However, this season so far, he has looked like that version of Jarry we remembered from a few years ago. True, his historical pattern was either producing a shutout or getting shelled with no inbetween but the stats are essentially the same as his better days, bringing back that familiar boom-or-bust profile.
So could Jarry regain his form and steal back his starting position?
Maybe he can. Throughout my experience tracking goaltender comebacks, I’ve noticed that when netminders display renewed confidence after extended slumps, the opportunity to capitalize is narrow yet worthwhile.
I would still be hesitant about going all-in, but as long as he is stacking starts and getting wins, he is safe to hold on your roster for now. His current production validates this cautious approach: Jarry has three wins in four games started as a goaltender, and he also has posted a .921 save percentage, a 2.52 goals against average, and one shutout already. These aren’t merely superficial numbers.
They translate into legitimate fantasy value that remains widely available across most leagues, justifying a speculative pickup while his hot streak persists.
Karel Vejmelka – Utah Mammoth
Through sheer determination and consistent wins, Vejmelka has managed to battle himself into claiming a starting position that seemed unlikely just months ago. What stands out most?
Recording an impressive five wins in six games while playing on a team with a notably lacking defensive core—performance that clearly has impressed head coach Andre Tourigny into granting him expanded ice time.
Throughout my career tracking goaltender trajectories, netminders who earn their opportunities through grit rather than hype tend to maintain relevance far longer than conventional wisdom suggests.
Currently, Vejmelka is helping lead the Mammoth to second place standing in the Central Division as the season unfolds, demonstrating his crucial role in a franchise establishing its identity in unfamiliar territory.
What should capture fantasy managers’ attention? Despite being a team lacking not very deep superstar power, Utah is still managing to find ways to compete and win games and Vejmelka is undeniably a big part of that success formula.
He is playing much better compared to his previous campaign so far surpassing what he did last season through noticeably sharper technique and decision-making. Although we are dealing with a small sample size, his performance suggests he appears good to be considered a firm hold who will give value to any roster where he lands in the back end, making him someone you can reliably be started with confidence moving forward.
When goaltenders evolve from roster depth to legitimate contributors, fantasy opportunities persist longer than expected particularly when performance indicators suggest sustainability beyond mere fortune.
Breaking down his production reveals encouraging trends: Vejmelka has five wins across six games started as a goaltender, accompanied by an .896 save percentage, 2.50 goals against average, and zero shutouts.
That save percentage might appear modest compared to premier netminders, yet context proves essential. These figures represent valuable fantasy output considering Utah’s defensive limitations and organizational growing pains as they establish chemistry and systems.
Jake Allen – New Jersey Devils
With the starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom currently out, Allen has stepped in to deliver solid backstopping that surpasses initial expectations considerably. Markstrom recently has seen three games, where he started two contests and won two, suggesting he’s very likely to take back over the crease upon his return which is scheduled for the first or second week in November.
But until then, Allen has performed above what most expected from a veteran backup thrust into expanded duty. The supporting cast certainly matters: Allen has benefited from a good competitive team in front of him, something which helps any netminder but his numbers speak for themselves regardless of context.
He’s recorded three wins in five games where he started as the primary goaltender, complemented by .925 save percentage production, 2.08 goals against average efficiency, and zero shutouts so far.
Throughout my years analyzing backup scenarios, when replacement netminders produce elite statistics like these, they frequently create genuine dilemmas for coaching decisions.
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Should his productivity continue, there’s legitimate possibility he may steal some few starts from Markstrom even after his comeback, particularly as he conditions back into handling a heavy workload following injury recovery but there is no doubt that head coach Sheldon Keefe has trust in Allen as someone who will deliver great goaltending no matter who he puts between the pipes nightly.
The essential fantasy calculus here demands attention: When Markstrom does return though, keep an eye on who is getting starts this monitoring proves crucial as Allen’s fantasy value will potentially plummet dramatically as his workload goes from full starter minutes to backup status practically overnight.
This situation embodies the textbook short-term streaming opportunity with an explicitly defined end date, positioning Allen ideally for managers requiring immediate crease assistance or those employing weekly rotation strategies at the position.
Timing becomes everything in these scenarios that first or second week window during November provides limited but valuable exploitation potential where Allen maintains legitimate roster worthiness, yet once Markstrom fully reclaims his established role, this temporary value dissolves rapidly unless Allen’s exceptional performance somehow forces management into considering an authentic tandem arrangement going forward.
Alex Lyon – Buffalo Sabres
Hear me out here a Sabres’ goalie? Really? Have I seen their record? Have I watched any of their games?
Yes, but there’s legitimate fantasy logic behind rostering Lyon, who has been an absolute workhorse in Buffalo’s crease. His numbers may not be the best, but he’s starting almost every game and has even put together a few wins that provide tangible fantasy value. This is the perfect case of stacking starts and points by more volume than quality—a strategy I have employed successfully throughout my fantasy career when elite goaltending isn’t accessible.
Consider that Lyon has already had over 200 saves and has started seven out of eight games this season, an extraordinary workload that translates directly into fantasy production regardless of win-loss records. These numbers are not likely to slow down anytime soon given Buffalo’s current goaltending depth chart and their commitment to riding their veteran netminder.
Despite the Sabres being a flat team who until recently has struggled to give their netminder any scoring support, Lyon’s numbers are actually respectable when examined objectively. He may not have the best save percentage or goals against average in the league by any stretch of the imagination, but he is far beyond the worst a crucial distinction that separates him from truly unrosterable options.
So coupled with his league leading amount of starts, Lyon is a great option for deep fantasy leagues where volume-based scoring makes workload kings more valuable than efficiency specialists. The raw statistics support this volume-first approach: Lyon has three wins in seven games started as a goaltender, accompanied by a .922 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average, and one shutout numbers that might surprise those dismissing him based solely on team performance.
The fantasy equation here proves straightforward: when a goaltender consistently faces over 200 saves worth of action and maintains starter status game after game, the accumulated points and category contributions offset any individual performance deficiencies, making Lyon a sneaky valuable asset in any league format emphasizing goaltender volume metrics.