Organizations looking for goaltending this summer

Last article, we discussed all the potential participants in the game of musical chairs.
Today, we will examine the chairs, as in the organizations that have the ‘crease employees needed’ sign up in their windows.

A warning though, it appears that this summer is shaping up to have a paucity of hiring opportunities. Looks like the lumber tariffs have caused a significant decrease in the number of wooden chairs!

In the category of definite openings, we find very few options. Most of these teams are searching for a backup goalie, with the exception of the Florida Panthers, who are in need of not one, but two goalies. The Russian tandem of Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov are both unrestricted free agents. 34 year old veteran Louis Domingue is in the organization but also is an unrestricted free agent.

It is almost certain that Bobrovsky will head to market at this point as the Panthers management team and Bobrovsky look to be far apart on a deal.

There are a few more organizations that are looking for backups.

One such team is the Ottawa Senators who could use an insurance policy behind Linus Ullmark. Ullmark had a terrible start to the season, followed by a leave of absence for mental health issues.

He came back strong but still finished with a 0.891% on the season, the lowest of his 11 year career. Until now, he has never had an NHL season below 0.905%. Sens management has contacted Buffalo about the possibility of acquiring Devon Levi, who is no longer waiver exempt.

The Utah Mammoth are also in need a backup for Karel Vejmelka (signed long term on an AAV of $4.75M).

26 year old Matt Villalta is an unrestricted free agent. 27 year old Jaxson Stauber is signed for 812.5k.

6’6’ Czechia goaltender Michael Hrabal, drafted in round 2 of the 2023 draft, is the longer term prospect that will eventually get called up but not necessarily for next season.

Heading north-east from Utah, we get to Winnipeg where the Jets have a backup goalie slot open.

An in house option is 23 year old Thomas Milic, he was a 5th round pick in 2023. He played 41 games for the Manitoba Moose this season (0.905%).

With Jonathan Quick retiring after 19 seasons, the Rangers will be searching for someone to play behind Igor Shesterkin.

Spencer Martin is signed for $812.5k for another year. Do GM Drury and the Rangers management elect to go with Martin as the backup in a season where they are not expected to contend?

Another option is Dylan Garand 23 year old restricted free agent (taken in Round 4 of the 2020 draft). He will be signed by the Rangers and could graduate to the NHL level.

In Edmonton, C. Pickard and C. Ingram are both unrestricted free agents, leaving Tristan Jarry as the lone option in nets. He is signed ($5.375M x 2 years) but lost the starter’s job last year. Will the new coach rely on Jarry? GM Bowman has already reached out to the Red Wings to inquire about Sebastian Cossa.

There is one, at least two potential spots open here. Depending on how the off season develops, both the Oilers and the Panthers crease situation could prove to be highly rewarding for whoever backstops the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup finalists.

The Red Wings have a possible spot open for someone to backup John Gibson, however that spot can likely be filled internally by several young options (namely M. Postava, S. Cossa, or T. Augustine).

It is more likely that the Red Wings trade away a goalie, rather than acquire one.

After that the pickings get slim. There are some conditional openings in Columbus, Philadelphia, St.Louis, and Vegas. These come with a lot of ‘ifs’:

If Elvis Merzlikins ($5.4M) is moved, Columbus will need someone to play alongside Jet Greaves.

If Jordan Binnington ($6.0M) is dealt, then the Blues will need a running mate to accompany Joel Hofer.

If Vegas finds a taker for Adin Hill’s albatross long term contract ($6.25M), then they may need a partner for Carter Hart.

Although, they do have restricted free agents Akira Schmid and Carl Lindbolm waiting for an opportunity. Both got playing time for the Golden Knights this season.

S.Ersson is a restricted free agent, so if he is allowed to walk, the Flyers might take a peek in the market, but they also have Kolosov signed for another year at $850k. He could get the opportunity to backup Dan Vladar.

In conclusion, opportunities are few and far between for goalies looking for a home this summer. Potentially, the most lucrative one could be whoever is signed to be the Panthers starter. Otherwise it’s a smattering of second fiddle openings.

Hope is not lost, as last season we saw many goalies start the season as second or third stringers, only to emerge as valuable fantasy options: Dobes, Ingram, Vladar, Wedgewood, Greaves, Wallstedt, and Hart.

It is a great time to be a buyer, as the excess supply of goalies, along with a limited demand (many teams already have at least two goalies signed) will push the market into a territory where contracts will be cheaper than expected both in terms of length and in average annual value.