In search of a free-agent goalie improve this offseason? Unhealthy information: the choices are sparse

This season, NHL common managers have been handing out goalie contract extensions like Oprah Winfrey giving prizes to her dwell studio viewers.

You get a contract!

You get a contract!

Twelve NHL regulars have signed contract extensions price a mixed $437.95 million. The newest got here on Friday morning, when the Vegas Golden Knights inked Adin Hill to a six-year extension with a median annual worth of $6.25 million. He joins the lengthy record of pending unrestricted free brokers whose groups selected to lock them in earlier than they might take a look at the market this summer time.

The Utah Hockey Membership signed Karel Vejmelka lower than two weeks in the past. The Washington Capitals signed each of their expiring-contract netminders — Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren — to extensions, and the Vancouver Canucks dedicated to Kevin Lankinen for the subsequent 5 years in late February.

All of those contracts have left the upcoming free company class of goaltenders trying extraordinarily sparse, which implies groups seeking to improve within the crease this offseason could possibly be compelled to delve into the commerce market.

Right here’s an outline of all of the goalie extensions signed this season, so as of whole {dollars}.

A few of these offers could look wealthy when in comparison with the depreciated goalie market we had seen since 2020, however projections for the wage cap to rise significantly over the subsequent a number of years have re-set the market. That, mixed with what’s seeking to be a shallow general free agent class this July, motivated common managers across the league to safe their goaltending now.

Listed here are the highest goalies at present set to hit the open market this offseason.

In case your workforce is in want of a dependable, veteran backup, you’re in luck. There will probably be loads of these, and some quite good ones. In case you’re searching for a bonafide starter – or perhaps a goalie to guide a tandem with a 50-50 cut up – there gained’t be a lot accessible.

The Carolina Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen could possibly be the highest possibility. He has put up elite numbers over the vast majority of his profession, however hardly ever has been accessible to the Hurricanes these days on account of a mix of accidents and different medical points. Andersen has made solely 29 begins during the last two seasons mixed, has reached the 35-start threshold solely as soon as within the final 5 years, and can flip 36 earlier than the 2025-26 season begins.

Even with all of that, Andersen’s numbers when wholesome are adequate that he ought to draw some curiosity. During the last 4 seasons, he has saved 56.1 objectives above anticipated, which ranks seventh within the NHL between Andrei Vasilevskiy (62.33) and Jacob Markstrom (54.27) in accordance with Evolving-Hockey. Andersen shouldn’t value a lot, so if he finds a option to keep on the ice he could possibly be a serious steal, however he carries fairly a little bit of threat.

Jake Allen is having a wonderful season for the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old is a quintessential backup goalie at this stage in his profession. He’s a consummate skilled, a terrific goalie associate and, most significantly, he can nonetheless play. Allen truly has the next save proportion (.910) and GSAx (17.73) than his associate, Markstrom.

Alexandar Georgiev and Ilya Samsonov are each fascinating choices. Each Russians have expertise as starters, however profile as a greater match as a backup or 1B possibility in a tandem. Georgiev is having a nightmare season for the San Jose Sharks with a career-low .876 save proportion, however led the league with 78 wins from 2022 to 2024. If nothing else, it reveals he’s adequate to win behind a robust workforce. These two gained’t be considered as upgrades for many groups, however is usually a sturdy second goalie.

Dan Vladař is the youngest of the group at 27, however hasn’t been overly spectacular this season for the Calgary Flames, particularly compared to rookie sensation Dustin Wolf. In 4 full seasons with the Flames, he has but to supply a save proportion above the league common.

Alex Lyon, 32, was a late bloomer, not discovering his footing within the NHL till his 30-year-old season, however has since put up comparatively spectacular numbers behind two totally different groups. He had a breakout 2022-23 season with the Florida Panthers and began three playoff video games earlier than ultimately being changed by Sergei Bobrovsky. He’s since put collectively two respectable seasons for the Detroit Purple Wings. He additionally gained’t be considered as a starter, however might have the next ceiling than a number of the different choices.

David Rittich, Anton Forsberg and Vitek Vanecek are all confirmed commodities able to dealing with an affordable workload. They’ll be choices for groups looking for an NHL goalie at a low cap hit.

As you may see, choices are slim. It’s one of many causes that common managers in Vegas, Utah, Washington, Vancouver and Colorado all opted to lock their pending UFAs up early, quite than ready and probably lacking out in free company. It additionally explains why goalies with comparatively quick resumes, corresponding to Mackenzie Blackwood, Lankinen and Vejmelka, had been in a position to safe five-year contracts. The demand for beginning NHL goalies is increased than the availability, so once you discover one you imagine in, you signal them long-term.

This dynamic ought to create an energetic commerce market within the crease this summer time. We noticed important strikes final June, with Markstrom traded to New Jersey and Linus Ullmark traded to the Ottawa Senators, and we could possibly be heading towards one thing related this yr.

The plain place to begin is with the Anaheim Geese’ John Gibson, who has been on The Athletic’s commerce Massive Board for what seems like ceaselessly. The most important motive Gibson hasn’t been moved so far is his contract, which runs by way of 2026-27 with a $6.4 million AAV, however yearly that turns into extra palatable to soak up. He has struggled with accidents however has carried out nicely with a .909 save proportion and 10.67 GSAx. With Lukáš Dostál’s emergence as Anaheim’s clear goalie of the long run, Geese GM Pat Verbeek might decrease his asking worth.

There have been no indicators the Montreal Canadiens are prepared to maneuver Samuel Montembeault, however he’s price making a name on, in relation to contenders seeking to improve. He’s simply ending the primary yr of a three-year extension he signed with Montreal, however contemplating the Canadiens’ timeline for contending and the variety of gifted younger goalies within the pipeline, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of risk to commerce Montembeault.

The Canadiens have Jakub Dobeš, 23, who’s having a pleasant rookie marketing campaign; Cayden Primeau, 25, who’s dominating the AHL since being despatched down; and Jacob Fowler, 20, who’s a star at Boston Faculty and is without doubt one of the prime goalie prospects on this planet. It wouldn’t be low-cost to pry Montembeault away, however it might occur.

Thatcher Demko’s future in Vancouver is one other fascinating storyline that might throw a wrench into the goalie market. Demko isn’t even a yr faraway from ending runner-up to Connor Hellebuyck within the Vezina Trophy voting, however has handled severe accidents these days – and all through his profession.

The Canucks could have proven their hand by signing Lankinen to a five-year deal final month. That contract runs by way of 2029-30 with a cap hit of $4.5 million. Whereas that isn’t true starter cash, it might make issues tight when Demko’s present deal expires in 2026. If Demko isn’t within the Canucks’ plans past that and so they obtain the proper supply, Demko could possibly be a high-risk, high-reward commerce candidate.

Lastly, if a workforce is prepared to tackle an inflated contract, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Elvis Merzlikins ($5.4 million AAV) and the Boston Bruins’ Joonas Korpisalo ($4 million AAV) are each choices. Whereas neither has lived as much as their present offers, they’ve each proven flashes of brilliance as starters. They wouldn’t usually be thought-about nice choices, however with this free agent class as skinny as it’s, contenders in want of upgrades could possibly be determined.

(Photograph of Jake Allen: Bruce Bennett / Getty Photos)