The vast majority of fantasy hockey formats put a heavily weighted value on the goalie position. In some league setups it can make up forty percent of your point totals week to week. No matter what format you play in, having a solid number three goalie option is

2017-3-30 NHL PHI vs NYI
Goalie Steve Mason (#35)

the difference between making the playoffs and the losers bracket. Rather than drone on about Carey Price or Matt Murray, this article will help you find those late round diamonds in the rough. Based on the off season moves to date, some pretty solid netminders are in a considerably more favorable environment. In reverse order, here are the top five late round goalie sleeper picks to consider.

5. Steve Mason

Stop snickering Philly fans. Despite parochial numbers to finish the season, it was Mason who had the Flyers in the playoff hunt early on in the season. If you owned Mason early last season you did well. If you didn’t drop him after the all-star break, well you already know. At slightly north of a five hundred winning percentage and a shade over 9 GA he was not great.

By moving to Winnipeg he is on a team that on paper is much better. Defensively they profile about the same but having Byfuglien patrolling the waters in front of the net should help. Philly may have moved on too soon from Mason and now you have a chance to capitalize on that fact.

As a number three goalie, or even a number two in a twelve teamer, Mason will get you an occasional shutout as well as more wins than losses. Just be sure to use him in match-up specific games. In other words, he’s benched against elite teams.

4. Antti Raanta

If you watched the Rangers at all last season you know doubt know how good Raanta is. Your annoying stat geek friend no doubt told you that he was better than Lunqvist statistically and he netted twice as many shutouts in half as many games. Having better stats is one thing but Raanta passes the eye test with twenty-twenty vision.

He moved to Arizona and isn’t even ranked in the top twenty five of most preseason rankings. Sure Arizona was a dumpster fire last season, but they have made a number of moves to improve and look much better than they did last season.

They won’t be a playoff team but Raanta will be a much better late pick than a guy like Varlomov. As with Mason, will want to play matchups and if it’s not working out midseason, don’t get attached. These picks are a gamble, but they can payoff big time.

3. Jimmy Howard

Detroit toyed with goalie controversy all season long but by the end it seemed clear that Jimmy Howard was the starter. In garbage time games on a non playoff team he still put of decent numbers. These are not Vezina candidates were talking about here but third or fourth goalie gambles to get late when everyone else is trying to find one more left wing.

Howard posted a solid .927 save percentage and saw a ton of shots. Detroit may not be a playoff team but Howard will have a new barn to play in and should be better at home than on the road. All of these picks come with caveats and with Howard he will likely split a ton of time in net. He should be good for a shutout or two as well. If it comes down to picking a a backup or Howard, you gotta go with the starter.

2. Scott Darling

Chicago has been trading away talented backup goalies for years that other teams feel can be the stater. It hasn’t always worked out, but the Carolina Hurricanes think it will this time. In Darlings case he was the better goalie all year for the Hawks. In 32 games played, he only lost five times. He also had 2 shutouts, the same number of shutouts Corey Crawford had in half as many games He bested Crawford in nearly every statistical category and had a less than stellar defensive play in front of him.

Carolina has done a ton in the off-season to sure up their roster and their blue line. They narrowly missed the playoffs last year and it seems like they have added the pieces to make a run. With a much improved team and a very underrated blue line ahead of him, Scott Darling won’t find himself ranked outside the top twenty five next season.

1. Ben Bishop

Ben Bishop is an elite goalie. He had the misfortune of playing

with a younger cheaper version of himself, much like Fleury in Pittsburgh. He is now in Dallas a team and fan base that will truly appreciate his talent. The goalie situation in Dallas was a mess the last two season. They had two backup getting starter money to play at or near replacement level.

Dallas bought out Niemi, he’s a Penguin now and a backup, as he should be. Lehtonen was the cheaper of the two so will collect his four and a half million dollars, and some splinters. GM Jim Nill was clear when he got Bishop that he is their guy. Nill made a number of big moves in the off-season and if they miss the playoffs it won’t be the his fault.

They are a much improved team with a ton of top end talent. Ben Bishop should put up very good numbers this season. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the top twenty by seasons end. Don’t sleep on Ben Bishop, especially in the late rounds. Don’t reach early to get him but if hes there in the late rounds, grab him with confidence.

Do you agree with this list? If so let us know on twitter @prohockeynews or you can tell the author he is nuts @apoptosian

email me at keirsey@prohockeynews.com