NHL Starting Goaltenders Ranked Before 2026-27
The Hockey Writers ranks all 32 projected starting goaltenders ahead of the new season. The piece notes that while goaltending is in a strong era, there is a large gap between the top netminders and the rest, with Andrei Vasilevskiy ranked first and Kevin Lankinen last.
The Hockey Writers' preseason list projects all 32 NHL starting netminders, placing Andrei Vasilevskiy atop the order and Kevin Lankinen at No. 32. The article describes today's goaltending as a strong era, yet one with a pronounced divide between elite goalies and the rest.
Rankings weigh 2025-26 performance heavily, while also considering career history when goalies are close. Key inputs include save percentage, goals-against average, goalie point shares, and quality start percentage. The author notes that goalie roles shift often, so evaluations are updated regularly.
This preseason ranking could influence fan discussion and media narratives around NHL goaltenders, potentially affecting how players are perceived before the season. Teams and agents may use such evaluations in contract or trade talks, though actual performance will ultimately matter more. For supporters, it may add context to expectations and frustrations, especially for clubs with uncertain goaltending.