Vitek Vanecek

Vitek Vanecek

28-Year-Old GoalieG
San Jose Sharks
Out
Injury Upper Body
Est. Return 11/21/2024
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Vanacek was acquired in a trade with New Jersey last March, but he hasn't played a game yet for San Jose due to injury. Before getting hurt, Vanacek posted a 17-9-3 record while struggling with a 3.18 GAA and an .890 save percentage in 32 appearances. He was excellent in 2022-23, earning a mark of 33-11-4 with a 2.45 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Even if he's healthy, Vanacek's fantasy value will be slim after the team traded for Yaroslav Askarov in August. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Devils in July of 2022.
Traveling, but out Wednesday
GSan Jose Sharks
Upper Body
November 20, 2024
Vanecek won't dress for Wednesday's road game in Dallas, but he is traveling with the Sharks, per Max Miller of NHL.com.
ANALYSIS
Vanecek has a 2-5-1 record, 3.36 GAA and .899 save percentage in 10 appearances in 2024-25. He might still be an option for Thursday's tilt in St. Louis given that he's with the team, but in the meantime, Yaroslav Askarov is set to back up Mackenzie Blackwood versus the Stars.
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2023 NHL Game Log
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2022 NHL Game Log
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2021 NHL Game Log
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2020 NHL Game Log
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2018 NHL Game Log
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    53:39
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
Doubts about Vanecek's ability to be an NHL starter were at least partially quelled in 2022-23, as he posted a 33-11-4 record with a 2.45 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 52 games in his first year with the Devils. The 27-year-old netminder has a chance to grow with a team that could take another significant leap forward propeled by top-end forward talent, though the loss of Ryan Graves and Damon Severson could put the defense in an uncomfortable spot. Vancek is now firmly a top-20 goalie in fantasy, and playing on a strong team will push him closer to the top 10, especially in formats that put a greater significance on wins.
The Capitals completely remade their goaltending room this offseason, dealing Vanecek to New Jersey and not qualifying Ilya Samsonov. Those two split time almost evenly in 2021-22, with Vanecek playing 42 games and finishing with a 20-12-6 record, a 2.67 GAA and a .908 save percentage. Those are virtually identical to the numbers he posted two seasons ago and a rough baseline of what to expect moving forward should the 26-year-old netminder be able to wrestle the Devils' No. 1 job away from the underwhelming Mackenzie Blackwood in 2022-23. New Jersey would likely prefer that Vanecek wins the competition considering the team handed him a fresh three-year, $10.2 million contract in July.
Vanecek saw action in 37 of Washington's 56 regular season games last year, which is amazing considering he was originally expected to be the club's No. 3 goaltender behind Ilya Samsonov and Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist ended up missing the season with a heart issue and Samosnov missed a ton of time due to COVID-19 protocols. Vanecek's numbers were solid (21-10-4, 2.69 GAA, .908 save percentage), if unspectacular. Following the year, the 25-year-old was exposed to Seattle and selected in the expansion draft before being dealt back to the Capitals for a draft pick just days later. Vanecek has exceeded expectations, but he's clearly behind Samsonov on the depth chart, who carried the load for Washington in the playoffs.
Vanecek took a big step forward with AHL Hershey last year, posting a 19-10-1 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 31 appearances. That's still not enough to trust him with a starting NHL job -- Vanecek will compete with Craig Anderson and Pheonix Copley for the right to be Ilya Samsonov's primary backup for the 2020-21 season. The 24-year-old Vanecek will likely ascend to the NHL on a more permanent basis in the next two years or so, but Samsonov will be the main man in Washington for the foreseeable future.
More Fantasy News
Dealing with upper-body issue
GSan Jose Sharks
Upper Body
November 18, 2024
Vanecek sustained an upper-body injury and remains day-to-day, ruling him out against Detroit on Monday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Suffers injury Saturday
GSan Jose Sharks
Undisclosed
November 16, 2024
Vanecek (undisclosed) is questionable to return to Saturday's game versus the Penguins.
ANALYSIS
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First off ice Saturday
GSan Jose Sharks
November 16, 2024
Vanecek was the first goaltender off the ice at morning practice and is slated to get the road start in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Max Miller of NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Falls to Philly in shootout
GSan Jose Sharks
November 12, 2024
Vanecek made 40 saves in regulation and overtime and stopped one of three shootout attempts in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Flyers.
ANALYSIS
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Tending twine Monday
GSan Jose Sharks
November 11, 2024
Vanecek will serve as the starting goaltender for Monday's road matchup against Philadelphia, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
May play Tuesday
GSan Jose Sharks
October 29, 2024
Vanecek will likely patrol the home crease Tuesday versus LA, per Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site.
ANALYSIS
Vanecek could get the second half of the Sharks' back-to-back after Mackenzie Blackwood played in Monday's 5-4 overtime win over Utah. The 28-year-old Vanecek has posted a mark of 0-4-0 with a 4.00 GAA and an .869 save percentage in five appearances this season.
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