Photo Credit: NHL Network
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Goaltending remains one of hockey’s hardest positions to rank. One hot season can change everything in the crease. Still, several NHL netminders continue to separate themselves from the pack. NHL Network recently released its Top 10 Goalies Right Now list. The ranking focuses on recent performance, playoff results, and future upside. NHL Network researchers, producers, and analysts helped create the rankings. Here is a look at the league’s current top 10 goalies.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Vasilevskiy sits at the top after an outstanding 2025-26 season. He also captured the 2026 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie. The Lightning star posted 39 wins in 58 starts. He finished with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Vasilevskiy also ranked among the league leaders in several major categories. His resume and recent performance make him an easy choice for No. 1.
- Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
Hellebuyck lands second despite a difficult 2025-26 campaign. He finished that season with a .895 save percentage across 57 games. However, his larger body of work remains difficult to ignore. Hellebuyck won the Vezina and Hart Trophy during the previous season. He also won 47 games in 2024-25. That season ranked among the greatest regular-season performances by an NHL goalie.
- Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
Shesterkin remains one of hockey’s most dependable elite goalies. NHL Network kept him at No. 3 for a second straight year. He finished 2025-26 with a 25-19-6 record. He also posted a 2.50 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. Shesterkin owns a career .917 save percentage. Among goalies with 100 games over five seasons, he ranks first.
- Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
Sorokin earned the fourth spot after another strong season. He also finished second in the 2026 Vezina Trophy voting. The Islanders goalie recorded a 29-24-2 record. He posted a 2.68 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Most importantly, Sorokin led the NHL with seven shutouts. His consistency keeps him among the league’s elite netminders.
- Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Swayman rounds out the top five after a strong bounce-back season. He also reached the Vezina Trophy finalist stage for the first time. Swayman recorded a career-high 31 wins. He finished with a 2.71 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His career numbers also show plenty of stability. Swayman owns a 2.61 career goals-against average with Boston.
- Logan Thompson, Washington Capitals
Thompson continues to gain respect around the league. NHL Network placed him sixth on its latest ranking. His 2025-26 performance strengthened his case. He finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting behind Vasilevskiy, Sorokin, and Swayman. Advanced statistics also support Thompson’s standing. He led the league in Goals Saved Above Average last season.
- Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
Oettinger remains one of the NHL’s most experienced young starters. He helped Dallas reach the postseason again in 2026. He posted a 35-12-6 regular-season record. However, his .899 save percentage left room for improvement. Oettinger struggled more during the playoffs. He finished with a 2-4 record, a 2.83 goals-against average, and a .893 save percentage.
- Dan Vladar, Philadelphia Flyers
Vladar earned his spot after a career-best 2025-26 campaign. He established himself as a legitimate No. 1 goalie. He set career highs in games, starts, wins, goals-against average, and save percentage. Vladar finished with 27 wins and a 2.40 goals-against average. He also posted a .907 save percentage. Those numbers helped him finish sixth in Vezina voting.
- Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
Wallstedt represents one of the biggest young names on this list. The Minnesota goalie showed significant promise during his first full NHL season. He finished 2025-26 with a 17-8-6 record. Wallstedt also posted a 2.65 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He added four shutouts during the regular season. His upside makes him an exciting addition to this ranking.
- Jakub Dobes, Montreal Canadiens
Dobes completes the top 10 after an impressive stretch. The young Canadiens goalie took his game to another level after the Olympic break. He went 10-3-0 during that stretch. Dobes also recorded a 2.29 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. NHL.com described his play as that of a true No. 1 goalie. His rapid development makes him one of the league’s most intriguing young netminders.
The NHL’s Goalie Landscape Looks Strong
This ranking shows how much talent exists across the NHL crease. Veterans still dominate the top spots, but younger goalies continue climbing. Vasilevskiy currently owns the strongest combination of production and pedigree. Hellebuyck remains dangerous despite his recent statistical decline. Meanwhile, Shesterkin and Sorokin continue setting a high standard. Swayman, Thompson, Wallstedt, and Dobes provide plenty of future intrigue. Ultimately, goaltending can change quickly across an 82-game season. Still, these 10 goalies enter 2026-27 with plenty of attention. They also enter the season with significant expectations
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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