Fantasy Hockey Spotlight: Top Goalies Heading into 2015

2014-2015 Stats: (40-13-5), 2.32 GAA (15th overall), .916 SV% (22nd overall), 4 SO (T-16th overall)

He would be ranked higher if not for his GAA and SV%. Don’t be fooled though, as he’s still a top-five goalie coming in at number five. He did finish the year with 40 wins, and that was 4th best of all goalies. The Lightning will be a playoff team again next year. Meaning, they will be atop the league standings.

Their young core led by Steven Stamkos, provides offense and they are a team on the rise. Expect similar numbers from Bishop this year. He could move up into the top-five ranks by improving his GAA and SV%.

#4 – Braden Holtby

May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the first period of game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2015 Stats: (41-20-10), 2.22 GAA (5th overall), .923 SV% (T-7th overall), 9 SO (T-2nd overall)

Holtby has proven he is a top-five goalie over the last couple season with the Capitals. The Caps will be a competitive team in a tough Metropolitan division. They should be battling for the top spot along with the Islanders, Blue Jackets, and Penguins. The addition of T.J. Oshie only adds to his value.

Holtby finished last year with 9 shutouts, and top-10 in all other categories too. After just signing a new deal to stay in Washington, Holtby will look to push Washington deeper into the playoffs in 2015. This offseason, the Caps made it clear they will contend for the division and will need their goalie to do it.

#3 – Devan Dubnyk

May 7, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) covers the puck during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 4-3 sweeping the second round of playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2015 Stats: (36-14-4), 2.07 GAA (2nd overall), .929 SV% (2nd overall), 6 SO (T-4th overall)

If not for the Dubnyk trade, the Wild would never have been in playoff contention, let alone making it. After packing his bags for Minnesota, he solidified the number one role with a 27-9-2 record. After a successful season, Minnesota just had to resign him after his efforts. The Wild were fairly quiet this offseason, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

This same team should make the playoffs in 2015. Their biggest hole was in net, in which was filled after the Dubnyk trade with Arizona. A repeat performance, and now playing a full season with the Wild will give Dubnyk the ceiling to finish as the league’s best goaltender.

#2 – Pekka Rinne

Apr 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a stop against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2015 Stats: (41-17-6), 2.18 GAA (3rd overall), .923 SV% (T-7th overall), 4 SO (T-16th overall)

Ever since his offseason hip surgery, Rinne has been playing like himself. Keeping Ribeiro around was a smart move. In 2014-2015 the Preds took 3rd in the West. With their solid defense core, and rising stars such as Seth Jones, this team could finish as the first overall seed in the Western Conference this year. Potentially, they could win the Presidents Trophy if Rinne plays even better.

After bouncing back with a solid year, Rinne is surrounded by confidence and a great team. He will be contending with the number 1 goalie (below) as the league’s best.

#1 – Carey Price

May 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) looks at the scoreboard during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2015 Stats: (44-16-6), 1.96 GAA (1st overall), .933 SV% (1st overall), 9 SO (2nd overall)

After an early and disappointing series loss to the Lightning, Price is going to be more focused than ever. He finished number one in wins, GAA, SV%, and was only 1 shutout behind Fleury for first. With basically the same roster heading into 2015, the Canadians will take first or second in the Eastern Conference.

The addition of Semin could be hit or miss. He has always been a streaky point producer. The change of scenery may be what Semin needs to be a reliable forward. Price won four awards in this years NHL Awards: Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Vezina Trophy, and William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest regular season goals, min. 25 games). The only trophy missing from this collection is The Stanley Cup.