Here is the current goaltending situation for the Atlantic Division:

Team: New Jersey Devils
Goaltenders: Kevin Weekes/Scott Clemmensen
Starter: Kevin Weekes
Injuries: Martin Brodeur
Sleepers: None
Situation: Unsettled
With Brodie on the mend until at least March, the Devils have certainly found themselves in a pickle. Listen, I’ll be the first to tell you that neither Kevin Weekes nor Scott Clemmensen is the answer to keep this team in the playoff hunt. The Devils currently sit 22nd in the league in goals for and with a backup goaltender between the pipes for the next 4 months, the odds are certainly against New Jersey to compete for post season play. With all that being said, don’t rule out the Devils making a play for a goaltender to fill the void. Dwayne Roloson is at the tail end of his career but is still playing well enough to merit consideration for a starting job, especially in a situation like the Devils have. Roloson is currently part of a 3-headed monster in Edmonton where he could be the odd man out because of his age. Nevertheless, he certainly could offer his experience and know how to help the organization over the hump. There certainly wouldn’t be any controversy once Brodeur returns, so it would only be a stopgap for fantasy managers if the deal does happen. Rumors are certainly swirling so keep your eyes on the situation. If the Devils continue to struggle, expect some sort of deal to take place. If they turn their fortunes around, you may see them ride it out with the backup duo until the situation gets back to status quo. If you’re strapped for starts and have to continue playing the Weekes/Clemmensen tandem, do so, but be savvy to the situation in case there is a change.

Team: New York Islanders
Goaltenders: Joey MacDonald/Yann Danis
Starter: Joey MacDonald
Injuries: Rick DiPietro
Sleepers: None
Situation: Unsettled
With DP back in the saddles in about a month, Islanders fans can finally rest easy…riiiiiiiight. Don’t let the longevity of his contract fool you. For those of you in keeper leagues who may have thought he would be a worthwhile investment, you’re thinking was spot on, however, the result has been somewhat disappointing. The unfortunate truth of the matter for DP is that he isn’t going anywhere, taken in both the physical and career aspect. The Islanders organization is taking gigantic steps backwards in trying to build a competitive franchise and DP, arguably an all-star caliber goaltender, will have nothing to show for it. For those of you in year-to-year leagues, stay away from him in drafts. Injuries are becoming all too common and it’s not worth the yearly hassle to go out and find a backup for 3 months of the season. Those of you in keeper leagues, it may be time to pull off a trade and leave Rick DiPietro for someone else in your league. Goaltenders are a hot commodity in keeper leagues, so you may have to give a little to get a little in the end. Another route would be to take a chance on a rookie goaltender that may make an appearance here in the next season or so. Players to keep on your watch list are Jonathan Bernier in Los Angeles, Brian Elliot in Ottawa or even Pekka Rinne in Nashville. These players are purely speculation based on current situations, however, they are worth keeping an eye on, especially at the end of the current season.

Team: New York Rangers
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist/Stephen Valiquette
Starter: Henrik Lundqvist
Injuries: None
Sleepers: None
Situation: Rock Solid
Lundy is easily top 5, if not top 3 in goaltending in the NHL. He’s a terrific keeper goaltender and should maintain the starting job in New York for the next several years. For drafting purposes, he’ll be a first rounder for years to come, so if he happens to fall to you in the latter half of the first round, pounce all over him. The Rangers are looking like a playoff caliber team this year, which bodes well for Lundy’s wins and goals against average. The past few seasons, he has easily been New York’s best defender, however, with a competent core in front of him this year, some of the pressure of performing at his very best night in and night out has been lifted.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Goaltenders: Martin Biron/Antero Niittymaki
Starter: Platooning
Injuries: None
Sleepers: None
Situation: Up In The Air
Certainly an interesting situation in Philadelphia right now with both goaltenders vying for a starting job. Martin Biron certainly has not lived up to the expectations of the Flyers and it’s going to be interesting after this season to see what they do in regards to maintaining a starter. Both Biron and Niittymaki are unrestricted free agents next season and it could be argued that neither of them are worthy of carrying this team over the next several years. The Flyers’ management have done an unbelievable job at getting the organization out of the gutter and back to being a playoff caliber team. Their offense is high flying and their defense seems to improve each season. The problem, however, lies with the goaltending. They have no prospects that are even close to being ready in their system, and with their starters playing mediocre right now, something’s gotta give. If you are a Biron owner in a keeper league format, see what you can do about trading him before the season is out. I’m skeptical of the situation and from what we have seen in the past 2 seasons, there is no guarantee he’ll be resigned by the Flyers. For those of you in year-to-year leagues, opting to stick this year out may not be a back play. The Flyers have a dynamite offense and can certainly bail out Biron or Nittymaki better than they could have 2 years ago.

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury/Dany Sabourin
Starter: Marc-Andre Fleury
Injuries: None
Sleepers: None
Situation: Rock Solid
Fleury came back from his injury with a vengeance last season and proved to Pittsburgh fans they have nothing to worry about. The situation mimics that of the Rangers in the sense that both teams are playing well and have the talent to play well for a number of years and both have great options in net for the next several years. While Fleury may not match up to Lundy, he certainly will carry a fantasy team and is considered a top 7 goaltender for sure. Don’t expect anyone to challenge Fleury for the starting job as he has proven his worth at the tail end of last year and the beginning of this year so far. Keeper and year-to-year leagues should be all over this guy.