In a normal year, the NHL regular season would be starting right about now. As we know, this year has been anything but normal. The Stanley Cup was only just awarded less than two weeks ago and, after initially saying they were shooting for Dec. 1, Gary Bettman announced that next season won't start until Jan. 1. Which gives them a three-month offseason (which is exactly the same as it would've been had the season ended and started on time).
That busy offseason got underway earlier this week with the Draft. Next up is free agency, which begins tomorrow. And if any team's looking for a veteran goalie, they're in luck. Because I've never seen so many free agent goalies available in the same year.
It's not just that they're veteran goalies, either. We're talking about Vezina winners, Stanley Cup champions and at least one future Hall of Famer. Some are the victims of youth movements, others are cap casualties, some are just looking for another opportunity. Here's the crazy thing, though: they can all still contribute. Whether it's as a starter, a backup or a mentor, every one of them has value. And, with the number of back-to-backs teams will most likely have to play next season, a good backup is going to be key.
I should probably include the trade market here, too. Minnesota already traded Devan Dubnyk to San Jose, Matt Murray went from Pittsburgh to Ottawa, and everyone knows that Vegas has been actively shopping Marc-Andre Fluery, who could end up being a consolation prize for those teams who strike out with free agents. (Wouldn't it be crazy if he stays with the Golden Knights next season as the backup, then goes to Seattle to become the starter for another expansion franchise?)
So, where are they gonna end up? It really depends on who's willing to accept what role and how much money. I also think it's likely that they won't all land somewhere. Here's my best guess on where some of those top available goalies might end up, either as a starter or a backup...
Henrik Lundqvist: You knew the most likely solution to the Rangers' three-goalie problem would be buying out Hank, and that's exactly what happened. It's still crazy to think he'll pull a Marty Brodeur and end his career in a different jersey, though. At 38, Lundqvist probably isn't an everyday starter anymore, but he's still got a shelf life and will end up somewhere. Washington has shown interest and may even give him a chance to start. The Capitals are the clear frontrunner and I'd be surprise if he signs with anyone else. New team: Capitals
Braden Holtby: Washington has an opening in goal because Braden Holtby is a free agent and unlikely to re-sign. I'm a little surprised by that, honestly. Holtby's only 31 and was the Caps' starter when they won the Cup. He'll want to start and command a multi-year deal, which he'll get from a Cup contender. A team like Chicago (more on the Blackhawks below) or Minnesota. New team: Blackhawks
Corey Crawford: The three-time Cup winner joined this crazy free agent list when the Blackhawks informed him that he wouldn't be re-signed. Even at 35, I think Crawford is still a starter. The question is where? Now that they've traded Dubnyk, Minnesota's going to be aggressive in the goalie market. They'll make a push for several of these guys, but, coming from a division rival, Crawford is the one they know best. New team: Wild
Corey Schneider: Here's where it starts to get interesting. Schneider was put on waivers to clear the way for Mackenzie Blackwood on the rebuilding Devils. And, frankly, he's going to be a backup or mentor wherever he signs. Which could limit his market. He'll probably be one of the last goalies off the board, and he may have to wait until the season starts, when he may be called upon because of an injury. New team: Canucks
Jacob Markstrom: With Thatcher Demko's emergence during the playoffs, the Canucks will have a much easier time parting with Markstrom than they otherwise would have. They'll make an attempt to re-sign him and go a 1-1A situation, but I think it's more likely he goes elsewhere for the chance to start. That chance could come with another team in Western Canada that has a very good chance of being big time contenders next season. New team: Oilers
Anton Khudobin: Khudobin was a revelation during the playoffs, leading the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final after their starter, Ben Bishop, was deemed unfit to play. Which you would think will land Khudobin an opportunity as a full-time starter somewhere else. He's 34, so nothing long-term, but he should be able to land a one- or two-year deal from a team that's got a young goalie waiting in the wings but isn't quite ready to be an NHL starter yet. New team: Red Wings
Jimmy Howard: At this point in his career, Jimmy Howard's gonna have to accept the fact that he's a backup. Detroit was ready to move on, and rightfully so. That doesn't mean Howard has no value, however. He's somebody you can feel comfortable plugging in for the second game of a back-to-back, especially if you have a young starter. A team like, say, the New Jersey Devils. New team: Devils
Cam Talbot: Cam Talbot's an interesting case. His market could very well be determined by who goes where and when. Talbot's also that guy who you can see as either a starter or a backup, depending on where he signs. So, that actually gives him more options than some of the others on this list. He's also perhaps the most likely to re-sign with his current team. New team: Flames
Thomas Greiss: Part of the reason for the Islanders' success over the past few seasons has been their really good 1-1A goalie situation with Greiss and Semyon Varlamov. But I doubt they're both happy with that arrangement, and, as a free agent, Greiss has a chance to get out of it if he wants. Problem is, I'm not sure he's a full-time starter. But as a 1A or co-starter, he's great, and someone will give him that opportunity. Maybe even a Stanley Cup finalist. New team: Stars
Craig Anderson: Anderson's been in Ottawa for 10 years, but is likely out now that the Senators have traded for Murray. He's 39, so if he signs anywhere, it'll be as a backup. Or he could just stay in Ottawa and be perfectly content backing up Murray. There's always the third option, of course, and that's retirement. I'll just play a hunch that he puts retirement off and plays one last season, perhaps on a team that will lose one of its goalies but has a 25-year-old waiting in the wings. New team: Islanders
Not included here are the two big trade candidates: Fleury and Martin Jones. Frankly, I think Jones is likely to stay in San Jose this season before being taken No. 1 by the Kraken in the expansion draft. As for Fleury, he'll be very tough for the Knights to move unless they eat a lot of his contract. So I really have no idea what's gonna happen there. Because somebody might decide they want Fleury and they want him as a starter, which will have a ripple effect on all of these free agents.
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