SchoolYourPool.com Fantasy Hockey

In fantasy hockey acquiring solid goaltending can be both a challenging and expensive task.  The fact that in most head-to-head style leagues goaltending categories can account for up to 50% of the overall stat categories means the difference between winning a championship and not can often come down to who you have between the pipes.

Today we look at one NHL goaltender who tends to be undervalued and underappreciated: Tomas Vokoun of the Florida Panthers.

Vokoun is typically not spoken about by fantasy hockey owners in the same regard as elite goalies such as Martin Brodeur, Ryan Miller, Roberto Luongo, Henrik Lundqvist, Miikka Kiprusoff, or Evgeni Nabokov but a closer look at his numbers might make us think otherwise.  No, we are not trying to convince you he belongs in this group, but there is an argument to be made that he belongs on the outer edge of that club.

In 2009-10, Vokoun ranks 16th in the NHL in Wins (19), 9th in the NHL in GAA among starters (2.33),  and 1st overall in Save Percentage (.932) and Shutouts (7).  In fact, in Yahoo! leagues that count Wins, GAA, SV%, Saves, and SO - which are the default settings in that platform - Vokoun is the 3rd ranked goaltender in the entire NHL this season.

Despite the impressive statistics this season, Vokoun's numbers are not an anomoly.  Over the past six-plus seasons that he has been a starting NHL goaltender he has averaged 63 starts per year and is on pace for 67 starts this season.  His lowest SV% since 2005-06 has been .919 and his career GAA is 2.54.  Over the past seven seasons he has averaged over 5 Shutouts per year.

These numbers do indeed put him in a select group of goalies that are typically valued much higher than Vokoun by fantasy hockey owners.

Vokoun is still just 33 years old, meaning he likely has a half decade left in the tank.  Compare his age to the aformentioned tenders, and you will realize he's not exactly over the hill.  In fact, Vokoun is younger than three of those goaltenders (Kiprusoff, Nabokov, and Brodeur).

Fantasy hockey owners can only imagine what Vokoun's value might be if he didn't play for the Florida Panthers, a team that struggles in the goal-scoring department.  Place him on a better team with some offensive firepower and he his stock would skyrocket, despite the fact he is already the 3rd ranked goaltender in many formats this season.  The good news in that regard is that the Panthers are rumoured to have been shopping Vokoun, although it would appear a trade before the deadline is unlikely considering the team is in the midst of a playoff hunt.  What is possible is that Vokoun is traded this summer.  The Panthers have Scott Clemmensen signed for another two years past this one, while Vokoun is signed for just one more season.  Top-prospect Jacob Markstrom is believed to be NHL-ready and the team may feel he can come in and play a significant role for them in 2010-11.

Regardless of what team Tomas Vokoun plays for it is evident that he is a very valuable fantasy hockey goaltender.  The fact he is undervalued by many owners means that if you are looking to strengthen the position he would be a good target to acquire.  Conversely, if you own Vokoun, you probably are already aware of how good he is.  Don't sell low.

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