These rankings are based on expectations for the rest of the season. Value is quantified by projected starts, peripheral category coverage, time-share situations, team defenses, past performance and overall upside in standard leagues. It is important to note that our rankings reflect sheer fantasy value, not necessarily the most talented goalies in order.
The NHL Trade Deadline is less than a week away (March 1, 3 p.m., ET) and it's a safe bet that several goalies will be playing for new teams. Which goalies are traded and to which teams is obviously not known, but knowing the most likely goalies to be dealt can help you significantly in fantasy if you pick up or trade for them in anticipation.
Ryan Miller of the Vancouver Canucks is owned in 61 percent of Yahoo Leagues. He allowed three goals on 28 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday but stopped 35 of 36 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against the Calgary Flames the night before. In three of his four starts prior, he allowed at least four goals; in the other he had a shutout.
Miller hasn't been consistent, but his numbers (2.61 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, three shutouts) prove he still has something left even at 36. Miller has been the subject of trade rumors and likely would be a starter if traded, not a backup. With the Canucks six points behind the Calgary Flames for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, they may choose to keep him. However, Miller is worth adding now in the hopes that he's traded and ends up in a better situation (the Canucks are 28th in goals per game with 2.30) and can provide value down the fantasy stretch run.
It's also worth noting if Miller were traded, Jacob Markstrom (11 percent owned) likely would become the everyday starter for Vancouver. He's 10-11-3 with a 2.63 GAA and .910 save percentage in 23 starts and hasn't been fantasy relevant this season.
There are other goalies likely to be traded, but none is perhaps more intriguing than Miller, since he's the one who is owned the fewest in leagues and likely can be claimed off the waiver wire, rather than having to trade for him if you need goalie help.
Here are other goalies to keep an eye on who could move before the deadline:
Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning (93 percent owned)
Bishop is in the final year of his contract, and although the Lightning have played better recently, they are in danger of missing the playoffs after advancing to at least the conference final in each of the past two seasons. Bishop, who struggled and also was injured, has been on fire lately; he's won his past five starts, allowing a total of six goals and appears to be back playing like his old self when he was a Vezina Trophy finalist in two of the past three seasons. If the Lightning do trade him, he'll still be fantasy relevant but it's unsure to what extent, depending on which team lands him. Bishop seems locked in right now and is worth trading for if you can get him at a low cost.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins (69 percent owned)
The Penguins goalie for the past decade could see his tenure in Pittsburgh end as soon as next week. If that's the case, he likely would start more, but that doesn't necessarily translate to results. Fleury has made 27 starts and is 15-7-5 with a 3.16 GAA and .906 SV%. Those are among the worst of his 13-year NHL career. With the emergence of Matt Murray during the 2016 playoffs and the continued success he's had this season, Fleury has been made expendable. However, if he's not putting up good numbers with a good defense and excellent offense in front of him with the Penguins, how much better could he really be with another team? Fleury is more of a wait-and-see approach.
Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders (21 percent owned)
You may be surprised to see Halak here because he's currently playing in the American Hockey League. Halak was the odd man out in the Islanders' three-man goalie rotation after going 6-8-5 with a 3.23 GAA and .904 save percentage in the first two months of the season. Since being assigned to Bridgeport, Halak is 13-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA, .931 save percentage and two shutouts in 16 games. He's played exceptionally well and has playoff experience, and could be traded to a team in the hunt that needs goalie help. Depending on the team, Halak could see increased value. If you have the room, it might be worth stashing him for a week and if he doesn't get traded, you can always dump him.
Others who could be traded: Keith Kinkaid (New Jersey Devils, 2 percent owned), Jonathan Bernier (Anaheim Ducks, 7 percent owned), Scott Darling (Chicago Blackhawks, 27 percent owned)
WORTH NOTING
- Prior to allowing four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, Florida Panthers backup James Reimer (37 percent owned) had allowed two goals in his past two starts and seven goals in his past five. Reimer has started 26 games this season, which isn't good news for Roberto Loungo owners.
- Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators has struggled recently, allowing at least three goals (including four three times) in his past four starts. As a result, backup Juuse Saros (7 percent owned) could see his role expand.
- Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason (41 percent owned) is healthy, but hasn't played since a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Feb. 9. Michael Neuvirth (34 percent owned) has started each of the past five games.
TOP 25 FANTASY GOALIES
These rankings were last updated Feb. 23
1. Braden Holtby, WSH (SAME)
2. Devan Dubnyk, MIN (SAME)
3. Matt Murray, PIT (SAME)
4. Sergei Bobrovsky, CBJ (SAME)
5. Carey Price, MTL (SAME)
6. Martin Jones, SJS (SAME)
7. Tuukka Rask, BOS (SAME)
8. Cam Talbot, EDM (+1)
9. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (+2)
10. Corey Crawford, CHI (SAME)
11. Pekka Rinne, NSH (-3)
12. Ben Bishop, TBL (+1)
13. John Gibson, ANA (DTD)
14. Craig Anderson, OTT (+2)
15. Jake Allen, STL (SAME)
16. Frederik Andersen, TOR (-2)
17. Peter Budaj, LAK (SAME)
18. Thomas Greiss, NYI (+1)
19. Cory Schneider, NJD (-1)
20. Robin Lehner, BUF (+2)
21. Roberto Luongo, FLA (-1)
22. James Reimer, FLA (NEW)
23. Jimmy Howard, DET (NR - INJ.)
24. Michal Neuvirth, PHI (-1)
25. Juuse Saros, NSH (NEW)
*NR - INJ. - Not ranked last week because of injury
Dropped out: Connor Hellebuyck (WPG), Cam Ward (CAR)
