4 Third-String Goalies Who Will Be The Most Important To Their Teams In 2025-26

Goaltending is a volatile position. Every season we are now seeing goalies we thought were safe end up in the AHL for a bit or permanently. Whether it be that or goaltenders who are injured more so than others, some third-string goalies will be important to their teams in 2025-26.

Cayden Primeau, Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are well known as being a very good team that just can't get over the hump deeper into the playoffs. Part of this is due to injuries in net because Frederik Andersen has a hard time staying healthy. But it impacts the team's regular season as well. The veteran, who is back for another year, played 22 games last season, 38 games over the past two seasons, and 71 games over the past three as the starter for the Hurricanes. While he is a good goalie, the injuries are hurting his numbers. Pyotr Kochetkov just isn't full time starter material just yet, but the Hurricanes, who will absolutely have to call up Cayden Primeau at one point, will need him at the top of his game. He could be up for a good chunk of the season and will have to play.

Vitek Vanecek, Utah Mammoth

Karel Vejmelka was worked into the ground by the Utah Mammoth last season when Connor Ingram was out and they didn't trust any other goalie to start games. Vejmelka played a ton of games in a row as the team chased a playoff spot, eventually falling short. That can't be a regular occurrence and the Mammoth fixed that by bringing in Vitek Vanecek as the probable third-string goalie. He will likely spend time in the NHL or even win the backup job over Ingram. But whichever of the two doesn't start the season on the NHL roster, they will likely have to come in and play at some point. Utah will need to give Vejmelka a break and will only do that if they trust the other goalie more than last season. With the team having higher expectations and hoping to make the playoffs, they need a team that is firing on all cylinders.

Devon Levi, Buffalo Sabres

It appears as though Devon Levi will at least be the third-string goalie for the Buffalo Sabres to kick off the season as he is the only one exempt from waivers next season. He has also struggled when playing in the NHL compared to his much better numbers in the AHL. He was arguably rushed to the NHL ahead of time and Alex Lyon now joins Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the likely tandem in Buffalo's crease. It really depends on how the goaltending does, because it struggled last season. If the two goalies likely to start the season in the NHL struggle, Levi will be turned to for at least an attempt to improve. Either way, he will get games in at the NHL level as he is still seen as the future.

Sebastian Cossa, Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings' one sizeable upgrade this offseason was acquiring John Gibson in exchange for Petr Mrazek. The only thing to watch here is that Gibson has been hurt the past two seasons, playing 72 games. They aren't serious injuries, but they occur more than once. Cam Talbot should be able to hold down the fort if or when Gibson comes out of the lineup, but Talbot is also 37 years old. Sebastian Cossa is the more immediate future for the Red Wings and nothing has to get in the way of Detroit winning if they want to finally get back to the playoffs. Cossa should be in the NHL in a full time role by 2026-27, so that means he will have to get in more than one game next season.