An Early Look at Overrated Fantasy Goalies Heading into 2026-27

Hello, hello and thanks for joining us! We’ve witnessed a few more seasons end this last week, so let’s wish a good bye to the Sens and Pens, and bid “A Farewell to Kings,” and let’s be grateful that there is still over month of NHL hockey to be watched, analyzed, and enjoyed. Last week, we examined some goalies that exited the season showing great promise while remaining slightly underrated in fantasy circles. This week, we will look at the goalies that may be on the opposite end - showing inflated numbers or looking good in a headline, but without much promise to improve or outplay their acquisition cost. That’s right, we are looking at the goalies that left 2025-26 looking rather “overrated.” We’re still many months away from next season’s fantasy campaign, so a lot can change, but for right now, let’s take a look at some of these keepers that may be good candidates to sell high on or let other’s reach for on draft day.

Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild - You could almost put crease mate Filip Gustavsson in this same category, but I wonder if Wallstedt actually gets drafted before the Gus Bus on draft day given the current hype surrounding the 2021 first round draft pick and his play in Minnesota’s first round series against Dallas. Look, I get that the Wild coaching staff let the 23 year old take the reigns when push came to shove and the playoffs actually started, but Swedish countrymen Gustavsson is locked up for the next 5 years and the Wild have no reason to abandon the crease timeshare that worked so very well for them throughout this season. Wallstedt had a great rookie campaign (35 games played, 18 wins, 2.61 GAA, .916 SV%, 4 SO, 934 saves) but it was still just that - a rookie campaign. He has less than 50 games of NHL experience. Look for the Wild to continue their timeshare (regardless of if Wallstedt shuts down Dallas, or even Colorado next round) and for both goalies to continue to play well, but neither one of them crossing into that elite volume tier, at least not until a few years from now when one of them gets traded. Hold firm or sell high, but be mindful not to reach for this one if you’re trying to win next year!

Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils - It’s always hard for long-time poolies to devalue the studs of yore, but we would be wise to remember that the Swedish net minder’s glory days are now behind him. Last year, the 6’6” Markstrom set 10 year lows across the board, finishing the season with 23 wins in 43 games played, no shut outs, and a rather underwhelming 3.07 GAA with a .883 SV%. The concerning part for Markstrom, is that tandem mate Jake Allen finished with much stronger metrics of 2.74 GAA and .904 SV% in 37 games played, further highlighting the decline in play from the 36 year old Markstrom. Maybe one of these years Jack Hughes will stay healthy and the Devils will just perform like the team they look like on paper, but even if that happens - Markstrom is far removed from the 60-games-a-season warrior he once was and may be good for 25 wins at best next year. There is still some name value here, especially on a team that every offseason looks like the darling that will take the next step, but we should shy away from Markstrom on draft day, and certainly value him accordingly - as an aging, injury nagged, former star goalie, playing for a team with all the right pieces that just can’t seem to take the next step.

Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings - I’m a fan of picking goalies from teams that emphasize structure and limiting scoring chances, as team defense tends to be more reliable than goalies from year to year, however, there is some doubt on whether or not the Kings of Los Angeles still have the identity of a defensively sound team, now that captain and #1 center Anze Kopitar has retired after 20 great seasons there. The Kings were already trending in the wrong direction on defense this year, allowing 3.01 GA/G, a far cry from their 2.51 GA/G in 2024-25 that was good enough for second in the league. Their penalty kill, too, has taken a dive, dropping from a healthy 81.4% to 74.3%, which was third worst in the NHL this season. Adding to their recent defensive woes is age related decline, as Kuemper turns 36 this May and is coming off a mediocre statistical season (2.78 GAA, .891 SV%) that saw him post just 19 wins in 50 games played, only one year after ending the season with 31 wins in 50 games. Kuemper was a Vezina candidate at this point last season, but this year he wasn’t even the starter for his own team in April. With a contract that expires after next season it’s always possible Kuemper becomes a trade candidate, but as long as he sticks with a middling L.A. club, we can expect him to muddle up our fantasy categories. Sell him to a win-now team or cross your fingers, hold your breath, and wish for a trade to the Hurricanes.

That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! My name is Garrett Finlay and you can follow me on X @garrett_fi51284 and on Bluesky @garrettfinlay.bsky.social where I am often talking goalies and fantasy hockey. I’ll be back here next Thursday, so until then - Happy Hockeying and good luck out there!