Top 5 Rising Star NHL Goalies

In National Hockey League teams, a good goaltender can make or break a team. Think about the fantastic Dominik Hasek who won multiple Vezina trophies and a Hart trophy with the mediocre Buffalo Sabres and even bringing them to the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 and more recently, the heroics of Carey Price in the 2021 playoffs. But, all the stars have to start somewhere and typically are given chances to shine through starting goalies injuries or retirement. In this article, I will be counting down the top 5 rising star goaltenders in the NHL and discussing options in fantasy hockey.

5. Alexander Georgiev (Colorado Avalanche)

At number 5 we have Alexander Georgiev, a Russian born goaltender who went undrafted in the 2017 NHL draft and got picked up by the New York Rangers. He played a handful of games because of star net-minder Henrik Lundqvist’s dominance. He did not really get his chance until Lundqvist’s retirement and in the 2021–2022 him and now 2022 Vezina winning goalie Igor Shesterkin got their big shots in the NHL. Even though he was a backup to the far superior Igor Shesterkin, Georgiev managed to put up 15 wins, 10 losses, 2.51 GAA and a .911 SV%. That’s pretty good for a backup and good enough to catch the attention of the 2022 Stanly Cup winner, the Colorado Avalanche. He was traded to Colorado for a third and fifth round pick in the 2022 NHL draft. Along with other goaltender Pavel Fracouz splitting time in net with Georgiev along with a strong Colorado defense and offense featuring Norris and Conn Smyth winning defensman Cale Makar and partner Devon Toews patrolling the blue line and having Nathan Mackinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichuskin on offense, this 27 year old net minder should be putting up good numbers in the 2022–2023 season. When it comes to fantasy hockey, I would select him in later rounds or maybe try to claim him on waivers. He has not proved himself quite yet but good things are to come for him.

4. Ville Husso (Detroit Red Wings)

Coming at the number 4 spot, the honor goes to Ville Husso. Husso is a twenty-seven year old Finnish goaltender and one of the most underrated goealies in the league. Husso was drafted 94th overall in the 2014 draft. He did not play much when he was drafted and spent alot of time in the AHL, but never really got significant time in the NHL until the 2021–2022 season. He was a backup for Stanly Cup winning goaltender Jordan Binnington, but midway through the season Binnington got injured and Husso had to take over the starting role. He played 38 games with 25 wins, 7 losses and 6 overtime losses. Husso also managed to boast a 2.56 GAA with a .919 SV%. What was also really good was that he got some time to play in the most competitive type of hockey, playoff hockey. It was round 2 of the playoffs and the St. Louis Blues were facing off against the Colorado Avalanche,the series tied 1–1, but in game 3, disaster struck. In the first period Avalanche center Nazem Kadri and St. Louis defenceman Cale Rosen went crashing into the net after trying to go for a rebound shot by Arturi Lekhonen and Binnington received a lower-body injury that would prevent him from playing the rest of the playoffs. Here is where Husso comes in, he played the remainder of game 3 and lost. He won one game before the Blues fell in six games to the vastly superior Colorado Avalanche who went on to win the Stanly Cup. What truly matters in this point is that Husso is a goalie with playoff experience. That is a big win for a goalkeeper just to play at that time. Sadly, shortly after that the Blues management did not want to re-sign Husso so he hit the free-agency market. Steve Yzerman had the good idea to sign Husso to a 3 year, 14.25 million dollar deal with the Detroit Red Wings. He has a great opportunity to play for the motor city with up and coming talent such as Calder trophy winning defenseman Moritz Sceider, young Lucas Raymond with a fine scoring touch, fast skating centerman Captain Dylan Larkin. The best part is he is playing along Alex Ndelkjovic and they will be splitting time in the crease, creating a deep goalie tandem. Husso is in a good place. In fantasy hockey, I would take him as a backup in very late roundsbut never a starting goalie. Put him behind your mega stars such as Andrei Vasilevsky or Igor Shesterkin.

3. Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars)

Next up on our list, at the number 3 spot, we got the 23 year old American born goaltender, drafted 26th overall in the 2017 NHL draft, Jake “Otter’’ Oettinger. Like a lot of net minders in this list, Oettinger was drafted but only got to play a handful of games each season. His reason is, being behind various Dallas Stars goaltenders such as Ben Bishop, Aton Khudobin and Braden Holtby. But, with Bishop plagued with injury and eventually reitred due to it and Khudobin sent down to the AHL, the Dallas Stars management decided to sign Holtby in free agency. So, going into the 2021–2022 NHL season, the Lone-Star state had the goaltending duo of Braden Holtby as a starter and Jake Oettinger. But mid-way through the season, Holtby was sidelined for the rest of the season with a lower body injury, meaning Oettinger had to take up the mantle of starter, one of the best things that could have happened to the Stars. The acrobatic Oettinger posted up fantastic stats for his first time being a starter. With 46 games played, he had 30 wins, 15 losses and 1 overtime loss. Along with that, he posted up a 2.53 GAA and .914SV%. It doesn’t stop there , he also managed to take the mediocre Dallas Stars to the NHL playoffs. Their first round matchup, the highly praised Calgary Flames. They sadly lost the series in 7 games, but Oettinger was definitely the MVP of his team and robbed games for the Stars. His best performance was game 7, they were playing in the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, and he saved 59 out of 63 shots to lose in overtime. Absolutely fantastic. With 7 starts, had 3 wins, 4 losses along with a 1.81 GAA and a .956 SV%. Absolutely breathtaking. Thinking of this season, the Stars have very high hopes for this young man and I believe he will live up to his 3 year, 4.2 million dollar contract. The stars are ready and most importantly, he is ready to start the starting goalie road with lots of experience that most goaltenders do not get to have. Moving over to the world of fantasy hockey, try to get him as a backup. He will be an amazing backup to the superstar you are probably going to draft early on. Draft him early because I have a feeling Jake Oettinger will be amazing for the Stars. He is young, experienced and ready.

2. Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)

Number 2 on our list, is another Americain born goaltender and a big hit in BeanTown, Jeremy Swayman. Swayman, like a lot of goalies on this list, was drafted pretty low, 111th overall to be exact. He had a spectacular 2021–2022 season and has been a part of the greatest goalie tandem in the NHL. Swayman has been sharing the crease with 27 year old goalie Linus Ullmark. In the 2021–2022 season he has 23 wins, 14 losses along with a 2.41 GAA and a .914 SV. That is very solid. He even got a chance to play in the playoffs but was overpowered by the powerhouse Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games. Swayman has a very bright future with Boston with being paired up with Linus Ullmark and then splitting time it helps eliminate the risk of being over-worked or being burned out and failing when the Bruins need him most. It’s amazing for the 23 year old Swayman and 27 year old Ullamrk. Moving over to the digital world, with his draft stock in fantasy sports is along the lines of Jake Oettinger, draft him as soon as you can to back up the mega stars you’re gonna be drafting in the first round, take him potentially third or fourth rounds because he has a high chance of raking in wins this year.

1. Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators)

Now, onto the moment everyone has been waiting for, at the top spot, the Finnish phenomenon, the 27 year old Juuse Saros. Juuse Saros is an interesting case, he played a few years in the league so far but constantly being demoted to the AHL or playing second fiddle to star fixture in net for many years for the Music City, Pekka Rinne. But with Rinne’s recent retirement in 2021 it gave Saros his chance to play a starring role for the Predators with Connor Ingram as his backup. This was a great move for the Predators. In the 2021–2022 he managed to pull off 38 wins, 29 losses, 3 overtime losses along with a 2.64 GAA and a .918 SV%. That is incredible. It doesn’t stop there, he also helped lead the Nashville Predators to the postseason. Even though he didn’t play in game 1 and game 2 due to leg injury and then getting swept by the Colorado Avalanche, he still played well. I believe Saros can bring great things to the organization and will have another very productive season and help the Predators in the crease. Now for all the chip-eating and yelling at friends, people like myself, Saros’ fantasy stock is looking great and I would say do anything to get him as a backup or don’t fret if he is your starter.

In conclusion, the world of NHL goalies is a competitive market and very few are given the chance to play consistently or even be a starter. But the best type of goaltender is a young goaltender with a lot to prove and plenty of untouched talent. I believe all the goalies have scades of talent and are ready to show their stuff this season from the hungry Alexander Georgiev, the passionate Ville Husso, the youthful Jake Oettinger, the consistent Jeremy Swayman and the ambitious Juuse Saros. I am Alex Stone and thank you Holy Heart.

Dedicated to our school’s own Mrs. Coates.