Fantasy Hockey Goalie Review: Who's Hot and Who’s Not | Scott Wedgewood, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and More

Hey folks! Today, we are going to talk about goalies and the blue paint.

We've got several surprises lined up for goalies who are off to hot starts, haven't been able to get a win, and goalies who are looking to steal the number one starter spot for their hockey club.

Let's get right into it!

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Scott Wedgewood - Colorado Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood has been hurt since before the regular season started, and this has been the greatest opportunity of Wedgewood's career. Slated to start the season with a very low workload behind the other wood, Wedgewood now has five consecutive starts in front of the deepest most skilled team in the league and has made a go of it.

With only one hiccup against the Dallas Stars, Wedgewood has won four of his five starts, and in all of his wins has had a save percentage over .950.

This is great news for those savvy enough to pick up Wedgewood before the season started, and bad news for Blackwood owners. What was sure to be a 60 start, 40+ win sure thing now could be a tandem upon his return, or worse! We'll see who gets starts upon Blackwood's return, but Wedgewood may very well have played himself into the starter, or at worst a tandem role for the foreseeable future.

What is going to happen in the long term for the Avs' goalie situation? The Blackwood/Wedgewood conundrum has me stumped!

Wedgewood has four wins in five games started as a goaltender. He also has a .939 save percentage, a 1.51 goals against average, and zero shutouts.

Andrei Vasilevskiy - Tampa Bay Lightning

Vassy was going to make this list, but never did I think he would be on the cold side of the stove for goaltenders. Arguably one of the top-five tendys for the last half decade, Vassy is struggling to get out of the gate this year. He is winless in three starts, and his numbers are awful.

That said, Vassy is a sure bounceback candidate, and I do not believe in any world that this bad start will continue or he will not be able to regain his previous form. Never count out the Lightning, or they will strike. Twice!

Vassy has never had a season over 2.90 goals against average, and has also never had a season with a save percentage worse than .900 - and that is going back 11 years to his rookie season. Every NHL season in his career has been elite, and there is no reason to believe he won't turn it around.

Vasilevskiy has zero wins in three games started as a goaltender. He also has a .870 save percentage, a 4.08 goals against average, and zero shutouts.

Cam Talbot - Detroit Red Wings

John Gibson got the opening night nod, let in five goals, and hasn't been seen since. Talbot came into the blue paint in relief and helped right the ship by keeping the door closed, but the Red Wings could not recover and lost the game.

Talbot now has a firm grip on his starting position, and as long as his elite level of play continues, so should his hold on the number one spot. His coming to the rescue cold, then consecutive consistent play has rewarded him with the crease, as he saw three starts in a row where we won all three games following coming in after Gibson got the hook on opening night.

Talbot is a hold for now, and should stay on your roster as long as he is winning games and putting up good numbers, but do be mindful that the Red Wings went out and got Gibson last season, with the anticipation that he would be their number one starter. He will have some chances afforded to him yet before the season is done. This may turn into a tandem this year. 

Talbot's initial slotting in as a backup goaltender in Little Caesars Arena makes him still getable is most leagues. Grab him and ride the hot glove while you can!

Talbot has three wins in three games started as a goaltender. He also has a .932 save percentage, a 1.78 goals against average, and zero shutouts.

Jet Greaves - Columbus Blue Jackets

Greaves is fighting last year's starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins in a tandem for the starter position, and despite Greaves not winning a game yet, I think he's winning. It may be a tandem for now, but the youngster has absolutely stellar numbers for just two games, which both resulted in losses. Yes, I am praising Greaves for his so far winless season and still think he is the best goalie on the Blue Jackets.

Greaves came in last year with an impressive seven wins in 11 starts, including two shutouts. He also had a very impressive .938 save percentage and a 1.91 goals against average. Really solid numbers for his first real crack at the NHL.

He has continued this trend this year and has shown the coaching staff in Columbus that the net is not his to win, but it's his to lose. By Christmas, Greaves should be the sole starter, with Merzlikins backing him up on back to backs. Greaves still has a quite low rostered percentage, so go grab him from your waiver wire before someone else does, he is worth the gamble!

Greaves has zero wins in two games started as a goaltender. He also has a .932 save percentage, a 2.06 goals against average, and zero shutouts.

Juuse Saros - Nashville Predators

While the Preds still may be bad, and in denial that they are a rebuilding team, Saros has shown signs of life and may have bounced back to his contender glory days.

His two worst seasons were the last two seasons. Prior to that, Saros was considered a top-five goaltender in the league, who consistently put up decent numbers and seemed to be a wall in front of the net. Granted, his stats may not have reflected this always and his team may have helped him outscore his warts at times, his workload coupled with his winning record and decent save percentage and goals against average made him a top fantasy league acquisition.

Over the last couple seasons, Smashville along with most of its roster has seen all-time lows and has suffered in scoring goals, defensive play, and sadly for Saros, goaltending.

While I am not sold that the Preds are jumping back to contender status, this early flash of brilliance from Saros may at least help their goals against, and they may be able to squeeze a few more wins and make a push for a playoff berth.

One last quick note on Saros is that defenseman Roman Josi looks to be healthy for the first time in two years, and is a likely contributing factor for Saros' early-season success.

Saros has two wins in four games started as a goaltender. He also has a .951 save percentage, a 1.41 goals against average, and zero shutouts.