It’s never too early to get started with your fantasy hockey preparations. Hey, I don’t care if you have plans to head to the pool or if you are yet to take your summer vacation. If you are a TRUE hockey fan, the season never stops.
Of course some weeks are a little more news worthy than others and I would be lying if I said that the latter part of July was laden with juicy NHL headlines. The big news this week is that Jaromir Jagr and his Hoveround have decided to take his talents to the swamps of New Jersey. Big news 10 years ago when Mario Jr. was still an elite player, but lets face it, the drama about where he would be traded from at the deadline hardly made anyone’s pulse race.
The 2013-14 season can’t get here fast enough. Training camps open in about 40 days and there is a fresh young/new crop of goaltenders to keep an eye on. Sure, Jonathan Quick and Henrik Lundqvist headline a big crop of elite goaltenders, but there are some diamonds hiding in the sea of net minders available. Some of these guys had a few chances to shine at the end of last season, but you can bet that they will be the main men this year. Here are my top five goaltenders that you may not have ever heard of.
5. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bishop brings more to the ice than just an enormous frame (6’8”). It is a physics anomaly that a man that size can move so quickly. He has had stops in St. Louis and Ottawa and played well, but his first real chance to be a starter will come this fall with the Lightning. Anders Lindback was acquired last summer to be the guy that solved Tampa’s goaltending woes, but failed to impress. Bishop was swiped at the deadline to push Lindback and now ultimately compete for the starting gig.
4. Viktor Fasth, Anaheim Ducks
If you were paying attention at all to the Ducks last season you are probably familiar with Viktor Fasth. He was the guy who outplayed Jonathan Hiller all season, but got benched for the playoffs. Expect Fasth to reclaim the starting spot from the often-inconsistent Hiller and win coach Bruce Boudreau’s heart for next year’s playoff run. The 31-year old Swede had played his entire career in the Swedish elite league before heading to Orange County last season.
3. Devan Dubnyk, Edmonton Oilers
Another name that will no longer haunt the free agent lists will be Edmonton’s Dubnyk. On an awful defensive team Dubnyk was able to post some very impressive individual statistics. The Oilers are young but improving by the second and will be a force in their new Pacific Division. Dubnyk will be the anchor that helps them win some high-octane shootouts and steal some low scoring affairs too.
2. Jhonas Enroth, Buffalo Sabres
It’s hard to imagine anyone in net for Buffalo besides the “Pride of America” Ryan Miller, but his days in Buffalo could be numbered. There are a few possible trade destinations for Miller and the Sabres are anxious to get his contract off of their books. Enter the Enroth who happens to spell his first name with a super sneaky silent “H” and who outplayed Miller for the better part of last year. Enroth is entering his prime at age 25 and will no longer serve as apprentice to the declining Miller.
1. Jacob Markstrom, Florida Panthers
Playing on a terrible Florida Panthers club might cripple the young Swedish netminder, but he showed that he is ready to take on the rigors of full-time NHL action. When Dale Tallon decided to let veteran Jose Theodore walk it was a clear sign that the Panthers were behind Markstrom 100%. He had some tough outings at the end of last season, but there were enough brilliant efforts from the 23-year old to convince the Florida brass that he is their guy.