Three Rookie Goalies to Target in Week 7
These young goalies could be widely available in most leagues
As one can see, I have migrated back from Wordpress to Substack. It was a tough decision, but I am debating merging a couple of other projects to Substack, so it made sense to do a test run with Goalie Streamer (though a previous incarnation was on this platform so it’s not a complete mystery to me). If you followed the other site at all, it will not be updated at this time.
In today’s post, I wanted to take a look at three rookie goaltenders who could be worth targeting this week. Rookies are tough to gauge in general, especially rookie goaltenders. However, it felt like these three goalies are in good enough situations with their respective clubs that they may be worth a stream for fantasy managers, whether they are in dynasty, keeper, or re-draft formats.
Justus Annunen, COL (28% rostered)
Annunen is backing up Alexandar Georgiev, who has been having a rough season himself. The 28-year-old Avs primary starter is 4-5 this year with a 3.56 GAA and 0.864 SV% in 10 games played. Georgiev was pretty darn good last year with a 38-18 record, but he’s been on a bit of a downward trend since his 40-win season in his first season in Colorado back in 2022-2023.
Last year, his GAA was 3.00 and his SV% was 0.897, a bit of a regression from his 2.51 GAA and 0.919 marks in 22-23. He also saw his quality-start% go from 66.1% in 22-23 to 44.4% in 23-24. This year, his QS% is 20% and his GSAA is -8.74. The GSAA is surprisingly better than what he did in 23-24 (-10.31 GSAA), but it’s discouraging nonetheless, especially for anyone who spent serious draft capital on Georgiev.
The Finnish goaltender has appeared in nine games this year and his metrics are a bit more impressive than his Russian-born teammate. Annunen’s GAA is 2.92 and his SV% is 0.880. His QS% is only 33.3%, but that’s still better than what Georgiev is producing. Annunen has seen a bit of regression in his GSAA, as it is -3.68, down from his 14-game sample in 23-24 when it was 10.16. However, last year showed what Annunen can do when things are clicking between the pipes.
Annunen had a really bad start against the Capitals on November 15th, allowing three goals on six shots in 21:53 of time. He will get the start though on Monday against Philadelphia, which may be the easiest matchup of the Avalanche’s three-game road slate (Washington on Thursday and Florida on Saturday).
Arturs Silovs, VAN (7% rostered)
Silovs plays behind Kevin Lankinen, who’s made 13 starts this year for the Canucks. The Finnish Canuck goaltender has been pretty solid for Vancouver this year, as he is 8-3-2 with a 2.71 GAA, .901 SV%, and QS% of 61.%. His GSAA is 0.15, showing that Lakninen has essentially been what his surface-level metrics demonstrate (which is a good thing).
As a result, Silovs is a tough play, which explains why he is only rostered in seven percent of Yahoo leagues. He’s made five starts this year and is 1-2-1 in those starts with a 3.86 GAA, 0.852 SV%, and -5.31 GSAA. His QS% is only 20%, but his latest quality start came on Nov. 16th against Chicago at home.
In that win, Silovs was excellent, earning two-star status with 29 saves, a GAA of 1.00, SV% of 0.966, and a GSAA of 1.87. That start shows what Silovs could do against lesser opponents, and the Canucks seem to be playing better as of late, as they are 2-2 in their last four games with wins over the Blackhawks and Flames on the road.
Silovs could be due for a demotion to the AHL when Thatcher Demko returns off the IL, which could be “imminent”. That said, I like what Silovs could bring as a streamer for a couple of weeks, especially for those fantasy managers looking for a third goalie who could provide some sneaky value.
Yaroslav Askarov, SJS (9% rostered)
Askarov hasn’t played any games with the Sharks yet, but he was promoted today after an injury to backup Vitek Vanecek on Saturday.
With the AHL Barracuda this season, the former 1st-round pick has been excellent. In nine games, he’s 6-3 with a GAA of 1.92 and SV% of 0.939. Acquired by the Sharks from the Predators this offseason, Askarov’s sample at the NHL level has been limited but still encouraging. In three games over two seasons with Nashville, he has a 1-1 record, a GAA of 2.58, SV% of 0.914, and a GSAA of 0.8.
Askarov will still be the primary backup to Mackenzie Blackwood with Vanecek out. Blackwood has been one of the more under-appreciated goalies in fantasy, as he has a bad record (3-5-3 in 11 games) but his other metrics are more palatable. He has a 2.98 GAA, 0.914 SV%, QS% of 45.5%, and GSAA of 4.45. He also may be worth a flier on especially since he’s only rostered in 11% of leagues.
Also, the Sharks’ blue line should be getting better with the arrival of Timothy Liljegren from Toronto, prospect Jack Thompson from the Barracuda, and Jake Walman, who should be returning from injury. Mario Ferraro is also leading things on the blue line, and he’s a machine in banger-league formats.
A reason to pick up Askarov is that he could slide into more ice time if/when Blackwood gets traded away, making him a “hold” piece who could pay dividends later in the NHL season.
The Sharks are rebuilding and while Blackwood has been a nice surprise, he is only a temporary option for a club that is looking beyond 2024-2025. If Askarov can have some solid performances in this call-up with Vanecek on the shelf, the Sharks may look to trade away Blackwood sooner rather than later, making Askarov a cornerstone goalie in fantasy, especially in dynasty and keeper formats.
Photo Credit: San Jose Barracuda