5 goalies who could become fantasy studs

Lets face it - if you're not quick on the trigger in your fantasy league, it will be difficult to draft a Vezina-caliber goalie.

But even though the Bobrovskys and Vasilevskiys are sure to go early, you can still find value in later rounds. Here are five goalies who could outperform expectations and be fantasy studs in 2018-19:

Keith Kinkaid, Devils

Kinkaid is coming off a season in which he posted an absurd 26-10-3 record for New Jersey while playing in nearly half the team's games due in large part to Cory Schneider's injury woes.

The 29-year-old certainly proved that he's capable of being a No. 1, as he posted a .913 save percentage and a 2.77 goals-against average - both of which were better than Schneider's marks.

Kinkaid actually started the first two games of the playoffs before Schneider took over, and you can expect the latter to be on a shorter leash next season while Kinkaid could eventually retake the starting job.

Antti Raanta, Coyotes

Raanta was limited to 47 appearances last season due to various injuries, but excelled in that time, finishing second among all netminders who played at least 30 games in both save percentage (.930) and goals-against average (2.24).

Additionally, Raanta posted those stellar numbers on a struggling team, as the Coyotes finished last in the Western Conference with just 70 points despite some improvements down the stretch.

In 2018-19, the goaltender should have a better roster in front of him, as Arizona acquired Alex Galchenyuk, Michael Grabner, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Jordan Oesterle this offseason, while seeing less impactful players like Luke Schenn and Max Domi leave.

That means Raanta could be in line for a big season if he can stay healthy and sustain his strong play.

Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche

Grubauer was arguably the most coveted goaltender who was expected to be on the market this offseason before being traded to Colorado, where he subsequently signed a three-year deal.

The 26-year-old served as Braden Holtby's second-in-command in Washington over the past three years, and briefly stole the starting role last season with a series of dominant performances before watching Holtby backstop the team to the Stanley Cup.

Through his career to date, Grubauer has dressed in 101 games while going 43-31-11 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has stated that he hopes both Grubauer and Semyon Varlamov will challenge for the No. 1 spot. If he earns the job, Grubauer could see much more playing time than he's ever had, which could make him a great late pickup for your fantasy team.

Scott Darling, Hurricanes

Darling was simply terrible last season, as he posted the worst save percentage of any goalie to play at least 25 games (.888), while giving up 3.18 goals per contest.

However, some of Darling's struggles can be attributed to the quality of shots he faced. The Hurricanes actually allowed the fewest shots in the league, but 42.5 percent of the ones they allowed at five-on-five were of the high-danger variety, the fifth-highest percent in the NHL.

In 2018-19, Carolina should have a stronger blue line following the acquisitions of Dougie Hamilton and Calvin de Haan.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes said goodbye to Cam Ward in free agency and brought in career backup Petr Mrazek, suggesting they're likely hoping to give Darling another chance to be the No. 1. And considering Darling had rocked a 2.37 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage over his career prior to his disastrous 2017-18, he could be a value pick late in drafts if he recaptures his form.

Carter Hutton, Sabres

This season will be Hutton's first big test in the NHL.

After serving as a backup to Pekka Rinne in Nashville and then to Jake Allen in St. Louis - where he stole the show when he played in 2017-18 - Hutton signed with the Buffalo Sabres, where he's expected to be the starting netminder as the team searches for stability between the pipes.

Last season, Hutton quietly paced the entire league with a .931 save percentage and a 2.09 goals-against average in 32 appearances. His numbers aren't expected to be as rosy in Buffalo - which finished last in the NHL in 2017-18 - but the Sabres added depth this offseason by acquiring Conor Sheary, Patrik Berglund, and Vladimir Sobotka, while bringing in a generational talent in No. 1 overall draft pick Rasmus Dahlin.

Hutton could be a steal late in your draft, as he's talented and will be given every chance to succeed in his first starting role.

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