Drafting goaltenders is one of the trickiest parts of fantasy hockey. While stellar goaltending is necessary for fantasy hockey success, goaltenders are notoriously volatile, making it difficult to determine who's worthy of an investment on draft day.

Given such unpredictability, fantasy managers are increasingly embracing the 'Zero G' strategy, which involves stockpiling reliable skaters in the early rounds of drafts and leaving the goalie slots to be filled later. Essentially, the rationale is that, relative to skaters, goalie value can be more easily churned on the waiver wire.

In this way, backup goalies are more than afterthoughts in fantasy hockey league, they can quickly become season-swinging assets. So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 backup goalies most likely to impact the fantasy hockey landscape in 2025-26.

(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and MoneyPuck.com)

10. Jakub Dobeš, Montreal Canadiens

Jakub Dobeš put together a solid 2024-2025 rookie campaign in limited action, posting a 7-4-3 record with a .909 SV% and a 2.74 GAA in 16 games. Remarkably, Dobeš ranked 5th overall in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAE/60) (0.617), ahead of Vezina finalists Andrei Vasilevskiy (0.468) and Darcy Kuemper (0.454). For now, Dobeš is the clear backup in Montreal behind Sam Montembeault, but if Monty and/or the Canadiens struggle out of the gate, Dobeš could eventually earn more starts. Accordingly, Dobeš is best viewed as a deep sleeper with upside if things break his way in Montreal.

9. Joel Hofer, St. Louis Blues

While Jordan Binnington enters 2025-2026 as the undisputed starter in St. Louis, he's as streaky as they come. Last season, Binner posted a dreadful 25% really bad start percentage (RBS%), essentially turning in a clunker once every four games. Hofer, by contrast, posted a miniscule 9.7 RBS%, proving to be a steady presence when called upon. Still just 25 years old, Hofer already carries an impressive pro hockey resume, including a 27-15-5 record with a .921 SV% and 2.50 GAA with the Blues' AHL affiliate in 2022-23. With Binnington now 32 and prone to volatility, Head Coach Jim Montgomery may lean more on Hofer this season.

8. Calvin Pickard, Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton's crease is one of the most precarious in the league. Stuart Skinner is penciled in as the starter, but after posting a sub-.900 save percentage (.896) and a negative GSAE/60 (-0.031) last year, Skinner is far from a sure thing. Unfortunately, Pickard was not much better in 2024-2025, recording a .900 SV% and -8.74 GSAA. Edmonton acquired Connor Ingram from Utah last week, though the plan is for him to start the season in the AHL. While Ingram could push for starts later, Pickard will have the first crack at the net if Skinner falters again, making him worth keeping an eye on this year.

7. Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars

Dallas has the opposite problem of Edmonton: a surplus of goaltending talent. Jake Oettinger is a bona fide franchise goalie, but every Batman needs his Robin and DeSmith fits the bill. Last year, DeSmith ranked 4th overall in GSAE/60 (0.634), well ahead of Oettinger's mark (0.188, tied for 25th). While there is no question Otter is the starter in the Big D, DeSmith will likely play around 30 games once again for a powerhouse Dallas team, making him one of the best spot-start options around.

6. Charlie Lindgren, Washington Capitals

The Capitals rewarded Logan Thompson's fabulous play last season with a six-year, $35.1M extension this offseason, making him the perceived starter in 2025-2026. Notably, however, Thompson only played four more games than Lindgren last year (43 vs. 39), and Head Coach Spencer Carbery rotated the two almost evenly throughout the campaign. Thompson was the stronger goalie, but fantasy value largely boils down to opportunity. Since Washington's formula worked so well in 2024-25, the Caps will likely stick to the status quo in goal, meaning Lindgren should continue receiving plenty of chances to shine this season.

5. Scott Wedgewood, Colorado Avalanche

Colorado's goaltending is currently up in the air with Mackenzie Blackwood sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury. While Head Coach Jared Bednar has not ruled Blackwood out for opening night, his availability is very much in jeopardy. If Blackwood misses time, Wedgewood would inherit the starter's role for a Stanley Cup contender. Until Blackwood returns, Wedgewood is a must-own fantasy asset.

4. Kevin Lankinen, Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko's injury history looms large in Vancouver, where he was limited to just 23 games last season and struggled badly when he played (34.8 QS%, 30.4 RBS%). Lankinen, meanwhile, played 51 games, ranked top-20 in quality starts (29), and provided reliability amid a turbulent campaign in Vancouver. In February, the Canucks rewarded Lankinen with a five-year, $22.5M extension, signaling they see him not as a backup, but rather as a legitimate 1B option. And if Demko is forced to miss more time, Lankinen could easily step into the #1 role once again.

3. Cam Talbot, Detroit Red Wings

At 38 years old, Cam Talbot might seem like an odd inclusion on this list, especially after Detroit traded for longtime Duck John Gibson this offseason. However, Gibson is not a workhorse, he played just 29 games last season, and his injury history is extensive. Talbot, on the other hand, has logged 101 games played over the past two years and finished 20th in GSAA last season (12.8). If Gibson struggles to stay healthy or perform with his new team, Talbot could reclaim the crease in Detroit, springing him right back into the fantasy spotlight.

2. Jake Allen, New Jersey Devils

Jake Allen was stellar in limited work for New Jersey last season, ranking third in GSAE/60 (0.635) behind only Anthony Stolarz and Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck. When Jacob Markstrom went down with an MCL sprain, Allen stepped up in a big way, posting a .932 SV% over nine games. With Markstrom healthy to start the season, Allen is best deployed as a spot starter, but he becomes a must-own if the Devils ever lose their starter again.

1. Jet Greaves, Columbus Blue Jackets

Last April, Jet Greaves delivered one of the most jaw-dropping five-game stretches you will ever see from a goalie, going 5-0-0 with a .975 SV%, 0.80 GAA, and 11.9 GSAA in Columbus' final five games. Frankly, no words do Greaves' run justice, the numbers say it all. Looking ahead, Greaves begins the season as Columbus' backup, but starter Elvis Merzlikins struggled mightily last season, finishing the year tied for the third-most RBS leaguewide (14). If Merzlikins falters to begin the 2025-2026 campaign, it won't be long until Elvis leaves the building, on a Jet plane.

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That's all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, October 12. Enjoy Opening Night tomorrow everyone and best of luck!