Yesterday, we checked out the top 75 skater prospects. Today, we’re having fun in the crease.

Goaltenders are so hard to analyze, and why so few teams feel truly confident taking one early on. There’s so much you’re having to judge; size, athleticism, and above all, the player’s mental game. Goalies also just play less games than a skater, and for some young goalkeepers, getting into just 20 games in a season can be a challenge – especially in European pro, where winning trumps development.

But right now, we’re seeing a good crop of future NHL starters. The top four goaltenders on the list below made up the top four spots last year, as well. Dustin Wolf and Devon Levi look ready to challenge for more starts this year, and while Yaroslav Askarov and Jesper Wallstedt might have the edge as prospects right now, they’ve got a bit more competition to deal with.

After looking at the top 10 goalies a year ago, we’ve decided to up the ante and take a look at 25 of the best young keepers in the game. Goalies have to be 25 or under with 25 or fewer NHL games played to be included.

So, let’s have some fun:

1. Yaroslav Askarov, 22 (San Jose Sharks)

2023-24 rank: 3rd (+2)

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov — *Yaroslav Askarov (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)*

The Sharks were desperately missing a goaltender of the future, and they got one while trading away from a position of strength with center David Edstrom. Askarov is one of the best goaltending prospects in the world, but when the Nashville Predators signed Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal, you could see the writing on the wall. Even though the season fell apart slightly in the closing stages, it was quite the year for the two-time AHL all-star. He posted a 30-13-1 record with six shutouts and a .911 save percentage, with his season highlighted by a 14-game win streak in the winter. By all accounts, the 6-foot-4 keeper is ready for full-time NHL duty – and Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood are both signed until the end of 2024-25 and if either falters, you have to think it won’t take much for the Sharks to call upon Askarov. With the Sharks already boasting one of the best pipelines in hockey, this gives them something to get excited about in the crease. And, hey, making the Preds look silly for trading him would be quite the motivation for Askarov, I’d say.

2. Jesper Wallstedt, 22 (Minnesota Wild)

2023-24 rank: 1st (-1)

*Jesper Wallstedt (David Gonzales-USA TODAY Sports)*

Wallstedt continues to push the narrative that he’s one of the best goaltending prospects in hockey, and it’s hard to disagree. He had another strong year as Iowa’s No. 1 goaltender, posting a 22-19-4 record with two shutouts and a .910 save percentage. He also saw his first NHL action, going 2-1-0 with a shutout in three starts. At 6-foot-3, Wallstedt has ideal size, and he’s quick, smart and doesn’t overcommit. I also love the mental side of his game; he doesn’t let things bother him. At 21, there’s still no reason to rush him, but he’s ready for more NHL action if there’s a need with the big club. I expect him to challenge for the No. 1 spot once he’s up with Minnesota on a full-time basis.

3. Dustin Wolf, 23 (Calgary Flames)

2023-24 rank: 2nd (-1)

*Dustin Wolf (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)*

At last, it’s time for Wolf to shine. He finally lost top goalie honors for the first time since 2018-19 (when, funny enough, he led the WHL with a .936 save percentage), but still put up a 20-12-3 record in the AHL with four shutouts and a .922 save percentage. There have been few goaltenders with a better run in their career than Wolf, who also went 7-7-1 in the NHL with the Flames. Granted, the NHL team had a season to forget and that might not be the best way of evaluating Wolf’s performance, but I do think he needed to show a bit more. Wolf is on the smaller side at six-foot, so there are concerns about whether his skill will translate to the NHL, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a top-10 goalie in the NHL by December, either. When Wolf’s on his game, few can be as dominant as he can. Don’t be surprised if he has established himself as Calgary’s clear No. 1 by Christmas.

4. Devon Levi, 23 (Buffalo Sabres)

2023-24 rank: 4th (-1)

*Devon Levi (Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)*

Levi’s first pro season was a bit all over the place, bouncing between the NHL and the AHL. It never made sense for Levi to start the year with the Sabres, even with his great play near the end of the 2022-23 campaign. But once he found his groove with Rochester, he was nearly unstoppable. Levi had been a dominant force during his two years in the NCAA, but the pro game, especially for a goaltender standing just six-foot, is a totally different animal. You want your goaltenders to have confidence, and Levi really showed that during the Americans’ playoff push. Levi might legitimately be Buffalo’s goalie of the future, but they also have the luxury of being patient with him thanks to the rise of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

5. Jacob Fowler, 20 (Montreal Canadiens)

2023-24 rank: New

*Jacob Fowler (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Boston College had a fantastic team in 2023-24, but Fowler was one of the primary reasons why they were so dangerous from the get-go. He went 32-6-1 with three shutouts and a .926 save percentage and also had a perfect 3-0 record at the World Juniors en route to gold. Speaking of winning, Fowler was named to the Hockey East all-tournament team this year after winning the regular season title, one year after taking home the USHL title, the league’s top goaltender award and gold at the World Junior A Challenge. It’s hard not to boast an immense amount of confidence when you’re as successful as Fowler at a young age, and he packs that all into a 6-foot-2, mobile frame. Many believe Fowler is a future NHL starting goalie, and I believe it.

6. Sebastian Cossa, 21 (Detroit Red Wings)

2023-24 rank: 5th (-1)

*Sebastian Cossa (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)*

The 2022-23 season was all about getting comfortable against pro competition – he mainly played in the ECHL with Toledo, but was one of the best goalies in the league. This past year was about taking a bigger step forward against tougher competition, and Cossa looked great with Grand Rapids. He’s set to return there for another year, where he’ll look to challenge for the AHL’s top goaltender award, and I wouldn’t bet against him. He’s huge at 6-foot-6 and moves incredibly well for his size while showing all the signs of being a future No. 1 NHL goaltender. I hope we see him get his first crack at an NHL game this year, too.

7. Trey Augustine, 19 (Detroit Red Wings)

2023-24 rank: New

*Trey Augustine (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Two Red Wings goalies in the top 10? You love to see it if you’re a fan of the red and white. Augustine had a near-perfect record in his draft year, capped off with a great showing at the U-18 World Championship. He then won gold at the 2024 World Junior and took home the Big Ten championship while earning tournament MVP honors. Add in a few really good appearances at the World Championship and Augustine is truly on the top of his game. He doesn’t have Cossa’s size – Augustine is just 6-foot-1 – but he’s got a winning pedigree, a great glove hand, and an outstanding foundation to build around. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being better than Cossa.

8. Artūrs Šilovs, 23 (Vancouver Canucks)

2023-24 rank: New

*Arturs Silovs (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

This is shaping up to be a massive year for Šilovs. He’s set to become a full-time NHLer this year, and with health concerns already stifling the start of the season for Thatcher Demko, we’ll see if the Latvian keeper can take advantage. Šilovs had his ups and downs during the regular season, but he was much better than his stats would suggest in Abbotsford where the defense corps wasn’t always playing at a capable level. Šilovs was a big reason why the Canucks stayed alive in the playoffs, leading to the team moving on from Casey DeSmith and opening the backup role up for the 23-year-old keeper instead. If Šilovs can play anywhere like he did in the playoffs, the Canucks should feel comfortable giving him plenty of starts.

9. Damian Clara, 19 (Anaheim Ducks)

2023-24 rank: New

After Lukas Dostal was promoted to the NHL last year, Clara makes sure to keep the Ducks represented on this list. Clara became the first drafted, and now signed goaltender, to ever come out of Italy, so there’s a lot of people excited to see what he can do. He had a fantastic season with Brynas in the Allsvenskan and he’s set to share the net with former NHL goaltender Maxime Lagace in Farjestad this coming season. At 6-foot-6 and with incredible athleticism, Clara has just about everything you’re looking for in a goaltender. I’d argue he’s been massively underrated, and I expect him to push to be Italy’s starting goalie at the 2026 Olympics. By the time John Gibson eventually leaves, Clara might be ready to make a serious push in the NHL.

10. Michael Hrabal, 19 (Utah HC)

2023-24 rank: 10th

*Michael Hrabal (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

When it comes to Hrabal, it’s easy to see the potential – he’s got the size and athleticism you love to see at 6-foot-6 and he’s proven many times he can be the primary reason his team wins. But then you see performances like the World Juniors or the U-18 World Championship a year ago and you see someone who’s prone to massive brainfarts and poor positioning, especially with his glove hand. He was solid at UMass as a freshman and I expect an even better performance from him as a sophomore, but I do want to see him stay more square to the shooter and avoid those long-range goals. But at 19, he’s still raw, and there’s a long road to go before he’s pushing to become Utah’s starter. The good news? Hrabal is off to a great start with two excellent showings with Czechia in early U-20 national team action.

11. Adam Gajan, 20 (Chicago Blackhawks)

2023-24 rank: New

*Adam Gajan (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

The biggest question surrounding Gajan last year was whether he could live up to the hype of being a second-round pick out of seemingly nowhere. He served as the Green Bay Gamblers’ starter, and while he posted a 23-12-4 record, his surface stats suffered. But another good showing at the World Juniors and the ability to steal wins on a seemingly consistent basis helped keep the hype around him alive. He’s one of the more athletic goaltenders you’ll find in the game, and reads plays exceptionally well. I think Gajan will excel in the NCAA, where he’ll have a chance to keep getting reps and, hopefully, play behind some better defensemen.

12. Drew Commesso, 22 (Chicago Blackhawks)

2023-24 rank: 9th (-3)

*Drew Commesso (Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)*

Comesso had a solid first year with Rockford, going 18-16-4 with two shutouts before putting up a few solid performances in the playoffs. His stats were nothing special, but he played better than his stats might suggest with some game-saving performances on an offensively starved IceHogs team. Commesso has proven time after time that he can steal games at any level and it’s only a matter of time until he’s doing that against pros. Right now, I feel like the gap between Commesso and Gajan is really close, but Gajan’s size and pure athleticism gives him the edge right now. Commesso could be an NHLer come 2025-26, though.

13. Joel Blomqvist, 22 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

2023-24 rank: New

*Joel Blomqvist (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

After two years of sharing the net back home with Karpat in Finland, Blomqvist came to the AHL and made an immediate impact. Despite being a rookie, he posted a .921 save percentage in 45 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to make his mark as one of the top goaltenders in the AHL. Blomqvist is competitive, has a decent frame at 6-foot-2 and is athletic enough to make up for not being much bigger. I like how well he tracks the puck, although he does allow a few too many weak goals for my liking. But for the most part, he definitely looks like someone the Penguins will trust for a long time.

14. Erik Portillo, 24 (Los Angeles Kings)

2023-24 rank: New

The Kings meant business when they acquired Portillo from the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. Portillo wasn’t going to sign in Buffalo with the logjam they had, but he had a good chance to make an impression with a Kings organization lacking a notable goaltender prospect. His first year of pro was impressive, posting a 24-11-3 record with two shutouts and a .918 save percentage – better numbers than his final year of college. Portillo then had some solid performances in the playoffs before Ontario was ultimately shunted. At the time of writing this, he’s still seeking a new contract as an RFA, but I do think Portillo is part of Los Angeles’ long-term plans. He’s 6-foot-6, athletic and very calm, so there’s a lot to like here.

15. Carl Lindbom, 21 (Vegas Golden Knights)

2023-24 rank: New

Lindbom had another excellent year of pro hockey, putting up two shutouts and a 17-7-0 record with the Farjestad of the SHL. He even played four games with Sweden’s men’s team, with a 25-save shutout against Finland in April being a highlight. Now, Lindbom is headed over to Henderson to challenge for the starting role while getting into some preseason games. Lindbom is one of the more underrated goaltending prospects in the game, partly due to his mid-sized 6-foot-1 frame. I think he’s athletic enough to not need to worry about that much at the next level, but now he’s got a chance to prove that in North America for the first time.

16. Justus Annunen, 24 (Colorado Avalanche)

2023-24 rank: New

*Justus Annunen (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)*

Annunen finally has a path to becoming a full-time NHLer this season. He has mainly spent the past three years with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, but he finally got his first real taste of NHL action last year with an 8-4-1 record, two shutouts, and a .928 save percentage in 14 games. The Avs relied on Alexandar Georgiev probably a bit too much last year and that was especially evident later in the season. But after Annunen showed promise in the second half of the year, it should give coach Jared Bednar a bit more confidence after bouncing between backups the past few years. Annunen might only be a backup at best, but that’s why you pay Georgiev the big bucks. Annunen is ready to give him a bit more of a break this year.

17. Ilya Nabokov, 21 (Colorado Avalanche)

2023-24 rank: New

Nabokov was the first goaltender taken in the 2024 NHL Draft after getting passed over three years in a row. The 6-foot-1 goaltender isn’t big, and that’s a large reason why teams were weary. But, as the oldest prospect from the most recent draft class, he brings serious potential. Despite being one of the youngest starters, he was one of the KHL’s top goaltenders and showed unbelievable athleticism and post-to-post movement. Scouts love his ability to move fluidly in the crease, and his raw talent will excite quite a bit of people. A big year in the KHL will allow Nabokov to fly up through the list.

18. Dennis Hildeby, 22 (Toronto Maple Leafs)

2023-24 rank: New

*Dennis Hildeby (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Consistent goaltending has been difficult to come by for the Leafs, a group that has cycled through options since Ed Belfour left the club in 2006. I’m not sure if Hildeby is the answer, but there’s still a lot to like here. The Maple Leafs took the 6-foot-7 Swedish monster with the 122nd overall pick in 2022 – as a triple overager. For much of the year, Hildeby was a huge part of the Marlies, stealing the No. 1 spot and even earning a call-up to the NHL when Ilya Samsonov was briefly sat to regroup in the winter. For now, Hildeby is the clear No. 1 with the Marlies this season and might hold that title for another year after that before eventually getting a full-time NHL gig.Hildeby is likely a backup in the NHL, but the size makes him intriguing.

19. Mads Søgaard, G, 23 (Ottawa Senators)

2023-24 rank: New

*Mads Sogaard (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

I really want to see Søgaard succeed – at 6-foot-7, he’s a menacing figure in the crease. But at some point, the Sens need to figure out what to do with him. He has played 27 NHL games over the past three years, helping fill a gap whenever there’s been an injury in Ottawa’s crease. But with Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg manning the pipes in 2024-25, there doesn’t seem to be a clear spot for the Danish keeper, and Meriläinen is going to want more starts in the AHL, too. Søgaard is no longer waiver-exempt, so it feels like he’s bound for a trade at some point, but there’s still some significant NHL upside here. A good training camp will be vital for the 23-year-old.

20. Alexei Kolosov, 22 (Philadelphia Flyers)

2023-24 rank: New

*Alexei Kolosov (Vladimir Bezzubov/KHL)*

It sounds like Kolosov is going to not report to Flyers training camp, which isn’t overly promising. Kolosov is a smaller goalie at 6-foot-0, but he’s so athletic and fluid and doesn’t overcommit often. Kolosov did a lot on a Dinamo Minsk team that struggled defensively and with two years as an undisputed starter, and another while splitting duties, he’s played quite a bit of pro hockey already. The NHL is a different beast, so it’ll take some time getting used to life in North America. If he plays for the Phantoms, which is looking unlikely, he’s the best goalie they have. If he doesn’t, I do feel like he doesn’t have much to gain back in the KHL. It’s definitely an interesting time as the team looks to manage his future.

21. Dylan Garand, 22 (New York Rangers)

2023-24 rank: New

*Dylan Garand (Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports)*

Garand has two years under his belt in the AHL, showing some improvement with the Wolf Pack in 2023-24. He had a 16-17-5 record with two shutouts and a .898 save percentage and then proceeded to play some of his best hockey during the playoffs for the second consecutive season. At 6-foot-1, Garand isn’t big, but he’s so competitive and is quite mobile in his crease. Garand allows too many high shots for my liking, though, partly due to his smaller frame. He needs to find a way to be a bit more consistent, but when he’s really on his game, Garand can absolutely dominate out there. We’ll see if Garand becomes a backup one day, but there’s still some room to work with.

22. Niklas Kokko, 20 (Seattle Kraken)

2023-24 rank: New

*Niklas Kokko (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Kokko had a busy year, splitting time with two different Liiga teams and serving as Finland’s starter at the World Juniors. He was excellent with the Pelicans, posting a .926 save percentage in 13 games and I don’t think he could have done much more on a bad Finnish team at the WJC. The fact the 6-foot-4 goaltender played as well as he did against men – helping the Pelicans reach the final – is a positive sign because he has shown he can come up big more often than not. Kokko still has some seasoning to do, especially dealing with traffic, but I think there’s a lot to like here for him to become the team’s first true homegrown goaltending prospect.

23. Marcus Gidlöf, 18 (New York Islanders)

2023-24 rank: New

*Marcus Gidlof (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Gidlöf is so fascinating – and I think NHL Central Scouting put him way too low as the No. 10 European goalie. At 6-foot-6 with solid numbers in the Swedish U-20 league, Gidlöf is aggressive in his crease and takes up so much space. He tracks pucks well, is extremely competitive and has good rebound control. In a year with very few starter-caliber options, Gidlöf could end up being a steal. I just feel it. There are still some raw elements to his game, but I’ve talked to many goalie-focused scouts who think he’s got serious NHL potential. At the very least, the Islanders have someone who could push to at least back up Ilya Sorokin in a few years, and will challenge for Sweden’s starting gig at the World Juniors this year.

24. Carter George, 18 (Los Angeles Kings)

2023-24 rank: New

*Carter George (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

George’s game is built around just keeping things steady and relaxed in the crease, and that’s why he was listed as one of the top goaltenders all year long. At 6-foot-1, George is also on the smaller side, but he’s as confident as they come in this year’s class. Let in a bad goal? He’s going to rob you on your next chance. Nothing seems to bother him, and he also sees through traffic well for a smaller keeper. I thought George was great at the U-18s, especially in the medal round, even if the stats might not fully reflect it. From a skill perspective, he’s clean, and I think he’s got a real chance of being an NHL goaltender one day.

25. Olivier Rodrigue, 24 (Edmonton Oilers)

2023-24 rank: New

*Olivier Rodrigue (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)*

Rodrigue had an excellent season in Bakersfield and could have easily taken over as Stuart Skinner’s backup instead of Calvin Pickard. Rodrigue hasn’t played an NHL game yet so his lack of experience didn’t help, but he was a standout in the AHL last year with a career-best record of 19-21-5 and a save percentage of .916. Rodrique has excellent footwork and does a good job of reading passes, allowing him to get ahead of quality scoring chances. There isn’t a clear path forward for Rodrique to take the next step in his NHL career, but I think he has played well enough to warrant at least a chance to play a few games if one of Edmonton’s other goalies goes down with an injury.

Other notables: Domenic DiVincentiis, 20 (Winnipeg Jets), Tomas Suchanek, 21 (Anaheim Ducks), Jakub Dobes, 22 (Montreal Canadiens), Carson Bjarnason, 19 (Philadelphia Flyers), Leevi Merilainen, 21 (Ottawa Senators)

1. Yaroslav Askarov, 22 (San Jose Sharks)

2. Jesper Wallstedt, 22 (Minnesota Wild)

3. Dustin Wolf, 23 (Calgary Flames)

4. Devon Levi, 23 (Buffalo Sabres)

5. Jacob Fowler, 20 (Montreal Canadiens)

6. Sebastian Cossa, 21 (Detroit Red Wings)

7. Trey Augustine, 19 (Detroit Red Wings)

8. Artūrs Šilovs, 23 (Vancouver Canucks)

9. Damian Clara, 19 (Anaheim Ducks)

10. Michael Hrabal, 19 (Utah HC)

11. Adam Gajan, 20 (Chicago Blackhawks)

12. Drew Commesso, 22 (Chicago Blackhawks)

13. Joel Blomqvist, 22 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

14. Erik Portillo, 24 (Los Angeles Kings)

15. Carl Lindbom, 21 (Vegas Golden Knights)

16. Justus Annunen, 24 (Colorado Avalanche)

17. Ilya Nabokov, 21 (Colorado Avalanche)

18. Dennis Hildeby, 22 (Toronto Maple Leafs)

19. Mads Søgaard, G, 23 (Ottawa Senators)

20. Alexei Kolosov, 22 (Philadelphia Flyers)

21. Dylan Garand, 22 (New York Rangers)

22. Niklas Kokko, 20 (Seattle Kraken)

23. Marcus Gidlöf, 18 (New York Islanders)

24. Carter George, 18 (Los Angeles Kings)

25. Olivier Rodrigue, 24 (Edmonton Oilers)

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