2025-26 NHL Goalie Tiers: Anonymous panel of coaches and goalies rates every starter

Top-tier goalies like Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy remain safe bets for nightly saves and strong goalie-prop value; bettors should be cautious backing Connor Hellebuyck in high-stakes playoff markets given recent postseason struggles. Consider live bets on Bobrovsky in close playoff games and target value on emerging starters (Dostál, Wolf) for season-long wins/prop markets.

2025-26 Goalie Tiers: Method, Panel and What It Means for Bettors

An 11-person panel of goaltending experts — eight current/former coaches and three retired NHL netminders — anonymously rated NHL goalies on a 1-to-5 scale based on expected performance this season. Ratings favored skill, reads, rebound control, positioning and ability to elevate play under pressure. The averaged grades produced five tiers that separate elite, proven starters from volatile or developmental options. For punters, the tiers translate into clearer risk profiles for goalie props, season bets and playoff markets.

Tier 1: The Elite Netminders

Igor Shesterkin — Unanimous No. 1

Shesterkin leads the list, praised for elite edgework, mobility and clutch performance. He faced the most high-danger shots last season yet produced huge goals-saved-above-expected. Betting angle: solid for high-save prop lines and consistent starters markets even when team defense is shaky.

Connor Hellebuyck — Regular-Season Machine, Playoff Red Flag

Hellebuyck posts elite regular-season metrics and heavy workload, but an extended playoff slump (.874 SV% recent postseasons) raises caution for bettors in playoff or futures contexts. Consider regular-season bets but avoid high-leverage playoff goalie markets.

Andrei Vasilevskiy — Reworked Game, Still Clutch

Vasilevskiy trimmed unnecessary movement and regained elite form. His playoff pedigree makes him a go-to target for single-game or series-based prop bets in elimination scenarios.

Sergei Bobrovsky — Playoff Specialist

Bobrovsky’s playoff GSAx is exceptional; he’s a candidate for in-series upticks. Bettors can favor him in late-series props and moneylines for tight matchups, but discount him for season-long consistency markets.

Tier 2–3: High-End Starters and Reliable Workhorses

Jake Oettinger

Big, methodical, and consistent — Oettinger offers value for win-based season tickets and midline goalie props. He’s close to Tier 1 ceiling; Vezina/MVP futures are plausible if Dallas breaks through.

Igor Sorokin, Jordan Binnington, Jeremy Swayman, Juuse Saros

These starters combine elite traits with concerns — Sorokin’s rebound work, Binnington’s volatility but big-game knack, Swayman’s recent struggles under heavy responsibility, Saros’ team-defense context. Betting approach: favor short-term prop bets when matchup and team structure help; avoid long-series futures on fragile defenses.

Emerging Standouts: Spencer Knight, Kaapo Kähkönen, and Others

Young options with upside (including Wolf and Dostál) offer tempting season-long value at lower prices. Consider saves-over lines and incremental starter-win bets rather than high-cost futures.

Tier 4–5: Rotations, Question Marks and Depth Options

Goalies in these tiers include veterans with durability or consistency concerns and young or unproven starters. Injury histories (Demko, Andersen), inconsistency (Merzļikins, Jarry), and late bloomers (Greaves, Askarov) dominate the narrative. For bettors: - Favor short-term props after strong starts. - Avoid season-long starts or Vezina futures unless priced aggressively.

Injury Watch and Durability Concerns

Primary Risks

Key injury risks that affect betting value: Thatcher Demko’s recurring injuries and Andersen’s recent medical absence. Those names should be downgraded for season-long prop and roster reliability markets.

How to Adjust Bets

Factor backup reliability and team roster depth into wagers. If a starter has a history of missing games, split-season bets or steamier bench insurance are prudent.

Rookies, Breakouts and Market Value

Young goalies with upside (Greaves, Askarov, Wolf) could outperform market expectations. These players are ideal for: - Futures with lower stakes (best rookie goalie, breakout candidate). - Prop bets tied to saves or starts where volatility creates edge.

Practical Betting Strategies Based on Tiers

- Nightly Props: Back elite Tier 1 goalies in save lines, especially when their team defense is expected to concede volume. Shesterkin is a prime target. - Playoff Markets: Prefer Vasilevskiy and Bobrovsky in elimination scenarios; avoid Hellebuyck on playoff-heavy bets. - Season-Long Wins/Starts: Seek value in Tier 2 rising starters (Oettinger, Dostál) and target Tier 4–5 breakouts at long odds. - Injury-Adjusted Rosters: Always check backup strength and team defensive upgrades before betting season totals.

Conclusion: Tiers Inform Risk, Not Certainty

The panel’s tiers offer an expert view of talent and expected performance, helping bettors gauge consistency, upside and downside risk. Use Tier 1–2 names for conservative, high-probability plays and target Tier 3–5 guys for value or contrarian futures if you accept higher volatility. Always combine goalie-tier insight with matchup, team defense and injury updates before committing bankroll.

Let's dive into analyzing 38 NHL goalies, with expert insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

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