Monday Ramblings: A Look At The Reverse Zero G Strategy

Welcome fantasy managers to another week of the Monday Ramblings. This week I thought with all the ink being spilled on the Zero G strategy, that I’d take a look at the other end of the spectrum in goaltenders that are worth their weight in gold - the cream of the crop if you will. These netminders should be highly coveted and are worth the investment of a high draft pick or potential cost through trade both now and the foreseeable future. Yeah, it may seem like some low hanging fruit, however, it may just be the low hanging fruit that makes a difference in your fantasy league this year. Let’s get to it!

Igor Shesterkin

Skill, pedigree, opportunity and the team's current window of contention all play a factor in why I believe Igor Shesterkin is the most valuable fantasy goaltender in the NHL today. Over his six seasons with the Blueshirts, the Moscow native has compiled a stellar 137-59-18 record with a 2.43 goals against and tidy .921 save percentage, giving fantasy owners coverage across the board.

Shesterkin also provides his fantasy owners with a high level of consistency as evidenced by his career 62.5% Quality Start rate, giving his team a chance to win on an almost nightly basis regardless of the teams performance in front of him. That being said, while playing behind last year’s sixth ranked defence (2.71 goals against/games played) there may not be many nights where this team underperforms in front of its star netminder.

He’s an elite goaltender who’s volume of starts should increase slightly as well, with backup Jonathan Quick turning 39 years of age this coming January. Not to mention that Shesterkin will be highly motivated to prove to many that he should be the leagues highest paid goaltender with the resume he has put together thus far. It would be wise for the New York Rangers management team to lock him up as soon as possible with the way he has started his season as the price tag seems to be increasing with each passing day.

In conclusion, when it comes to the New York Rangers and their number one goaltender Igor Shesterkin, it’s set it and forget it. Enjoy the ride (and solid production) folks.

Connor Hellebuyck

This is no slight to the reigning Vezina trophy winner in any way shape or form. Connor Hellebuyck is an absolute workhorse for the Winnipeg Jets and has rightfully earned his place as one of the games elite netminders.

Hellebuyck has played in no less than sixty games each of the last three seasons, giving fantasy managers the kind of volume you crave out of your rosters' number one goaltender. The heavy workload seems to have agreed with Winnipeg’s starting netminder, averaging an impressive 37-21-3 record with a 2.40 goals against and .921 save percentage accompanied by an outstanding 68.0% Quality Start rate over the current three year run. In his nine year career with the Jets franchise, Hellebuyck has fashioned a 279-173-41 record with a 2.62 goals against and .917 save percentage, giving them the kind of stability that is rarely seen in what is an otherwise volatile position. Combine all that with the team's lack of a quality backup plus a league low eight back-to-back games this year and you can see where Connor Hellebuyck will enjoy another very productive season for himself, the Winnipeg Jets and of course fantasy manager far and wide. Roster him, no questions asked.

Jake Oettinger

Any fantasy managers currently involved in keeper/dynasty leagues should have the Dallas Stars starting netminder firmly in their crosshairs. As the youngest of the group, the soon to be 26-year old has entrenched himself as one of the league's premier netminders playing for one of the NHL’s top teams littered with talent at all positions.

Oettinger has played at an elite level basically from the time he entered the league, amassing a rather impeccable 117-48-23 record to go along with a 2.48 goals against and .914 save percentage. Dallas’ brass thought enough of their stud keeper that they signed him to an 8-year deal at an 8.25M AAV firmly handing over the keys to the teams 26th overall selection from 2017. We may only be scratching the surface with Oettinger, seeing as he is just now entering his prime years with the Stars being perennial favourites to vie for the league's title.

On top of it all, Oettinger has a large sample size as the team's number one netminder. For such a young age, he’s already played four full seasons of regular season and playoff hockey all while enduring the pressures of being the starter for a perennial contender.

From a pure fantasy perspective it’s a no-brainer, Jake Oettinger is an elite goaltender on an elite team - if he’s starting, you play him. Simple as that.

Ilya Sorokin

He may not have as dominant a team playing in front of him, however, you cannot deny the immense skill, athletisism and raw talent that Ilya Sorokin posseses. The numbers don’t lie, in his four full seasons with the New York Islanders organization, Sorokin owns a 96-65-10 record with a 2.52 goals against and stout .920 save percentage all backed up by an impressive 66.5% Quality Start rate while playing for an offensively challenged group.

The Islanders made their full intentions known by signing the talented Russian to an 8-year deal with 8.25M AAV which begins this year, giving the Islanders number one some extra motivation to continue with this level of production. Sorokin, along with Russian compatriot and best friend Igor Shesterkin, both came to the NHL with a wealth of experience from their time in the KHL, which has certainly benefited both goaltenders in acclimatising to the NHL as each have been quite productive fantasy wise from the moment they made their respective NHL rosters.

The win totals may not be as high as the three aforementioned goaltenders, however, the peripheral numbers look to be back to expected levels after a difficult 2023-2024 season. You may want to be slightly more selective as it relates to matchups but with his contract, pedigree and abilities, Sorokin will see the bulk of the Islanders crease if they have any intention of making some noise pertaining to the NHL’s playoff picture.

There it is folks, my take on the reverse Zero G strategy! A look into the games elite goaltenders who I think are worth investing in, whether through trade acquisition or with the use of a high draft pick.

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See you all again next Monday!