Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
If you're in a 12-team league, chances are someone in your league is already hurting at the goaltender position. Having as many as four netminders can provide you with outstanding trade bait.
Though it may take some time, these three goaltenders have the chance to become the starter for their respective team. Teams already employing full-fledged tandems such as the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Dallas Stars were not included.
Chad Johnson, Calgary Flames
The Flames dealt with terrible goaltending last season. In the offseason they attempted to assure that wouldn't be the case this year, trading for Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues and signing journeyman Chad Johnson to be the backup.
Elliott has gotten off to a dreadful start with his new team, allowing 10 goals on 55 shots through two starts as of Thursday. Johnson on the other hand, has a 1.89 GAA and a .923 SV% in his two starts.
Thanks to a long-term injury to Robin Lehner last season, Johnson started 40 games with the Buffalo Sabres, posting a 2.36 GAA and a .920 SV% - not far off his career numbers.
Though Elliott had plenty of success in five seasons with the Blues, he never started more than 45 games in a season and has yet to prove he can be an effective netminder away from Ken Hitchcock's ultra-defensive system.
The Flames seem to believe they are in win-now mode. Both goaltenders are on one-year contracts, so there's a good chance head coach Glen Gulutzan will split starts until one goaltender emerges as "the guy". Johnson, a Calgary native, is worthy of adding now if you're desperate for a goaltender with hope he runs away with the job.
Calvin Pickard, Colorado Avalanche
Pickard outplayed Semyon Varlamov last season, posting a save percentage eight points higher and a goals against average 25 points lower. In his third NHL season, Pickard, 24, has a career SV% of .926 and a GAA of 2.47 in 37 games. Not bad considering how bad Colorado's defense has typically been.
New head coach Jared Bednar coached for Columbus' AHL affiliate before replacing Patrick Roy as Colorado's bench boss, so he likely coached against Pickard, who has spent parts of five seasons in the AHL during his career. There's always the chance Bednar views the goaltenders as equals and will wait to see if one of them plays their way into a No. 1 role.
Varlamov certainly hasn't done anything to win his new coach over, allowing eight goals on 68 shots through two games as of Thursday.
Jacob Markstrom, Vancouver Canucks
Once upon a time the 6-foot-6 Markstrom was one of the best goalie prospects in hockey. Now 27, Markstrom finds himself as the backup to Ryan Miller in Vancouver. Miller is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury, which has allowed Markstrom to post a 1.97 GAA through two games.
There's no question Miller is the starter when healthy, but given the fact the veteran netminder is on the last year of his contract, it would make a lot of sense to move him before the deadline. Miller could be moved well before then given the sudden need the Kings have between the pipes thanks to Jonathan Quick's expected three month absence due to a groin injury.
Even though the Canucks have prized goaltending prospect Thatcher Demko looming in the AHL, Markstrom would still likely be given the bulk of the starts, or 50/50 at worst, if Miller were to be traded.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.