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Ek’s Note: I will be posting my rumor blog/second round picks this afternoon around 3…
The thing about goalies is that sometimes two is too many and five is not enough. A second thing about goalies is you really learn the value of a quality goalie when you don't have one.
That's just two of many reasons why this may be the summer of NHL goalie change. Some prominent free agents and some possible trade candidates could create an interesting marketplace for goalies. A few teams are looking for starters, and others are looking for backups.
Already we know the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils are among others will be poking around in that marketplace.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Minnesota Wild, UFA: Will they re-sign him? Or, will he look for a different contender. Multiple teams contenders will be interested.
Jack Campbell, Toronto Maple Leafs, UFA: Would expect the Maple Leafs to try to get him signed. But how much can they afford to pay him? Probably not as much as he is asking.
Darcy Kuemper, Colorado Avalanche, UFA: He is very likely to re-sign in Colorado, especially if the Avs make an extended run. But we've seen contract negotiations go south and then surprises occur.
Ville Husso, St. Louis Blues, UFA: Earned the starter's job with the Blues in the regular-season. Posted a 25-7-2 record with a 2.56 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. But Jordan Binnington seems to have taken it back in the postseason. Several team will be looking at Husso this summer.
Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders, 1 year remaining: Ilya Sorokin is No. 1, and the Islanders don't need a $5 million backup. They could use that money to acquire more offense for new coach Lane Lambert. But maybe nothing will happen with Varlamov because he has a modified no-trade clause. He doesn't seem to want to move.
Robin Lehner, Vegas Golden Knights, 3 years remaining: It's difficult to read the tea leaves on this one. Clearly, Lehner was disappointed with how he was treated after he was injured this season. Maybe the issue was resolved when Pete DeBoer was fired. But maybe not. Logan Thompson played well in net after Lehner was injured. Lehner's season was not exceptional. The Golden Knights still need to create some salary cap breathing room. Maybe they move him, although that would not be easily accomplished. He has three more seasons left at $5 million. Plus, Lehner owns a modified no-trade clause.
Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus Blue Jackets, UFA: Teams are very much interested in Korpisalo even though his numbers were unimpressive this past season (7-11-0, 4.15, .877)
Cam Talbot, Minnesota Wild, 1 season: It seems like there were hard feelings about Marc-Andre Fleury being brought in to take Talbot's job for the playoffs. Stay tuned to see what happens in the offseason. Will he ask for a trade?
Martin Jones, Philadelphia Flyers, UFA: Teams will concentrate on the fact that he has 397 games played and not on the reality that he has gone four seasons without posting a season save percentage over. 900.
Braden Holtby, Dallas Stars, UFA: He's only 32. Let's see where his health is this offseason. If he is fit to play, he will have multiple suitors.
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