Top 20 drafted NHL goalie prospects ranking: Jacob Fowler leads Wheeler's 2026 list

Welcome to the first 2026 edition of my drafted NHL prospect rankings at The Athletic.This ranking of the league’s top 20 drafted goalie prospects follows yesterday’s top 100 drafted skaters list.It’s 20 goalies deep to reflect the five-to-one skater-to-goalie ratio on the ice.To be considered a prospect, a goalie must be under 25 and not fully established as an NHL goalie. This age criteria is more reflective of the typical goalie trajectory, allowing for the continued consideration of a small number of 23- and 24-year-old goalies.Advertisement