Goalie Fantasy Free Agency Shakedown

The first week of July is always a busy time in the hockey universe in terms of player movement. It has become a Mini Me of the trading deadline. While the top storylines this year will center on players like Kovalchuk, Gonchar and Hamhuis, in fantasy hockey terms, these deals will have little impact on where those players rank on your draft list. The real shakeup will come in the fold. Just try putting together a list of the top 20 goalies for next season’s draft today and you’ll find that you can’t possibly figure it out right now. The next two weeks will bring that picture into focus as the RFA and UFA find their new homes. Here are the players and situations to watch for as you begin formulating your early picks for next year’s draft:

1. Evgeny Nabokov

Nabokov is the obvious big name in the pool waiting to find a new home. Over the past decade, Nabokov has consistently been one of the best fantasy options in the game. The question that now needs to be answered is how much of that success came from being Shark. We watched last winter as he struggled at the net playing behind a Russia team that provided little defensive help in front of him. If he landed on a high-flying offensive team with little support, like Washington, his numbers could plummet. The first rumors have the Flyers as a possible destination. If that works out, you can promote Nabokov to the top 3 next season. If Leighton and Boucher can put up numbers similar to Brodeur’s for Philly, Nabokov could compete for the Vezina in orange.

2. Chris Mason

Mason had a very good year for the Blues in 2009-10, so it came as a surprise when St. Louis landed Halak earlier this month. That move leaves Mason looking for work, despite finishing near the top of the league in wins and posting above-average numbers in GAA and save percentage. He is in the prime of his career and has been a consistent performer for the last 5 years in the NHL. He’s managed to do well as a starter and part-time, so he could be added to a team as a 1B option. At this point, he appears to be a decent #2 option, but that stock could go up or down next week.

3. Martin Turco

Since his implicit firing from the All-Stars, the general perception is that Turco is a bit over hill. However, one look at his driver’s license will show that he is actually younger than Brodeur and Thomas, and only holds a candle to Kiprisoff and Vokoun. In other words, he’s not writing off the 9-year Stars veteran just yet. The past two seasons haven’t been great for Turco, but consider his environment. If he finds himself on a playoff-caliber team when he enters free agency, he could be a name worth drafting again this fall.

4.Michael Leighton

Depending on what day it was in May and June, you wouldn’t be surprised to see Leighton ranked in the top 10 or top 30. Depending on what the Flyers do in July, you can expect the same kind of volatility in their stock this fall. The Flyers are expected to make a ramp-up move, as they do every summer, but don’t be surprised if they decide to give Leighton a shot at a full season. If that works, you can shoot him on your draft list.

5.Washington Capitals

If things go as expected, Jose Theodore will move to a backup role in another city, leaving Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth to battle it out for the rights to a 40-win season. Who gets the prize is anyone’s guess. It’s always a good bet to draft a goalie from the President’s Trophy winning team, but this may be the exception. Varlamov has yet to prove himself worthy of the job, and Neuvirth has a total of 22 NHL games on his resume. Recruiting a goalie from Washington could be a big gamble this fall.

6. Antero Niittymaki

Niittymaki was solid in net for Tampa Bay last season, despite the turmoil surrounding the team. With Yzerman there to calm things down with the franchise, the Lightning network may be an attractive place to move forward. Niittymaki has no restrictions, but there doesn’t seem to be a better option for him than where he is now. If he sticks around and reclaims the No. 1 spot, he could be a decent No. 1 option next year.

Some other names to watch next week:

• Dan Ellis – Ellis lost his job to Pekka Rinne, but he still has the potential to be the No. 1 goalkeeper for years to come. Keep it on your radar.
• Jose Theodore: He’s in DC, but still has a few games left. He could see him emerging as #1 once again.
• Vesa Toskala – Could be the end of the line for Toskala. He hopes to be a #1 goalie. Maybe in another league…

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