Welcome fantasy managers to another edition of the Eastern Edge. This week we'll look at some potential Zero G candidates in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2026-2027 NHL campaign as we get ready to kick off the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights.

Let's get to it!

Jet Greaves – Columbus Blue Jackets

Greaves had quite a solid campaign in 2025-2026 as the 25-year-old usurped Elvis Merzlikins to take hold of the number one spot in Columbus' crease. The 6'0" 188lb Canadian rewarded the organization’s faith in him by sporting a 26-19-9 record accompanied by a 2.60 goals against average and .907 save percentage including two shutouts, a 63.6% quality start rate and 21.01 goals saved above expected in 55 games played.

Greaves' superb season did not end there as Hockey Canada selected the Cambridge, Ontario native to this year's edition of the Men's World Championship where he fashioned a phenomenal 6-2 record while posting 1.88 goals against and .920 save percentage in eight games played. Unfortunately, the Canadians fizzled out in the medal rounds again this year as the team went home empty-handed.

That being said, Greaves' stock will most certainly rise over the coming months with his overall performance this past year in Columbus as well as the Men's worlds, however, come next fall managers should keep close tabs on the Blue Jackets young netminder as it relates to his average draft position (ADP) in order to extract maximum value at a rather critical position.

Dan Vladar – Philadelphia Flyers

Vladar quite simply made the most of his opportunities in his first season with the Flyers as the 6'5" 209lbs netminder seized Philadelphia's crease putting up a rather impressive 29-14-7 record accompanied by a 2.42 goals against average and .906 save percentage including a 71.2% quality start rate and 16.43 goals saved above expected.

Vladar was most impressive down the stretch with the Czech native posting a 12-6-2 record with a tidy 2.32 goals against and .909 save percentage from the beginning of February until the end of the season in helping the Flyers qualify for the NHL playoffs. The 28-year-old also demonstrated his durability in playing a total of 52 games played 2025-2026, his previous high was 30 games played during the 2024-2025 campaign with the Calgary Flames.

Fantasy managers should have a relatively keen interest in the Prague native as he looks to build off his successful season with the added bonus that coach Rick Tocchet employs a sound defensive structure that will only benefit Vladar that much more.

Brandon Bussi – Carolina Hurricanes

Bussi was this year's winner of the Zero G award in the Eastern Conference, and it wasn't particularly close to be honest. The 27-year-old rookie netminder ran with the opportunity presented to him when both veteran Frederik Andersen as well as up and comer Pyotr Kochetkov fell victim to injuries forcing the 'Canes to pivot in Bussi's direction.

Bussi set some rather impressive records during his first season in the big leagues as the 6'4" 218lbs American is the first goaltender in NHL history to win 10 of his first 11 games, following that up by becoming the fastest netminder to 20 career wins, having achieved the feat in only 24 games played.

Bussi finished the 2025-2026 campaign with a stunning 31-6-2 record accompanied by a 2.44 goals against average and .894 save percentage including two shutouts, a 56.4% quality start rate and 5.44 goals saved above expected. This led the Hurricanes to sign the talented rookie to a three-year contract worth 1.9M AAV. It's a solid investment at a very reasonable price with the injury history to both Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov, he'll be a sought after commodity towards the mid-to-late rounds come draft season next year.

Daniil Tarasov – Florida Panthers

Much will depend on what the Florida Panthers decide to do with veteran netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, however Tarasov could be a valuable option in goal come September.

The talented Russian put forth a 13-15-3 record accompanied by a 3.05 goals against average and .895 save percentage including a 51.5% quality start rate and 5.44 goals saved above expected. They are certainly not the type of numbers that jump off the page, however, we need to keep in mind the rash of injuries that led captain Sasha Barkov to miss the entire season as well as star forward Matthew Tkachuk who returned to action in mid January.

The Panthers will most certainly return to their winning ways in 2026-2027 and with that will come much better defensive metrics both for the team as well as its goaltenders. Tarasov could become a major benefactor in such a case with a formidable lineup playing in front of him and at the very least should garner some interest towards the later rounds of draft come the fall.

Jacob Markstrom – New Jersey Devils

Markstrom may not come across as a Zero G candidate, and with the season that the Devils incurred last year Markstrom may drop down several managers list come draft season. If he does indeed drop, it could be a prime opportunity to add a valuable commodity toward the mid-to-late rounds that should have at the very least a small bounce back going into the 2026-2027 NHL campaign.

Markstrom has the pedigree along with a strong nucleus in New Jersey to turn things around and right the ship, plus the big Swede has another two years remaining on his contract meaning the Devils will give him plenty of opportunity to regain his form. In what was an injury plagued campaign, Markstrom fashioned a 23-29-1 record accompanied by a 3.07 goals against average and .883 save percentageincluding one shoutout, a 40.9% quality start rate and -10.84 goals saved above expected. Certainly not the kind of numbers you would expect out of a number one goaltender on any squad but Markstrom's drop off last year could be the opening that savvy fantasy managers have been waiting for.

Thanks for reading and feel free to follow me on X @mikeouellet9 or BlueSky @mikeouellet9.bsky.social

(All stats courtesy of: Dobber's Frozen Tools)

See you all again next Tuesday!