Top 5 unrestricted free-agent goalies
One thing is for certain: On July 1, there will be no frenzy with respect to free-agent goalies. The crop is thin - and that's putting it lightly.
Here are the top five goaltenders free to sign with any team Friday:
James Reimer
James Reimer is the only true No. 1 option on the market, but even he comes with question marks. The 28-year-old, a veteran of six seasons in the NHL, has actually never started more than 35 games in a season - and that was in his rookie year.
After subpar play in 2013-14 and 2014-15, Reimer put together some of his best work last season. He had a .918 save percentage in 29 starts with the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the San Jose Sharks. He finished at .922, the second-highest mark of his career.
A Maple Leafs draft pick in 2006, Reimer looked great behind a prolific Sharks team. He went 6-2 in the Bay Area, with a sparkling .938 save percentage and three shutouts.
Reimer's earned a long-term deal and a shot at full-time work, but his timing isn't great - there simply aren't any teams out there looking for a starter. Calgary was the most obvious destination until a few days ago, when the Flames acquired Brian Elliott from the St. Louis Blues at the draft.
Reimer made $2 million in salary last season with a $2.3-million cap hit. He's probably looking for something in the $4-million range.
Chad Johnson
We're into the backups already, and Chad Johnson is one who shouldn't have much trouble finding a job this summer.
Johnson, who turned 30 on June 10, is coming off the busiest - and arguably best - season of his career. He started 40 games for the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres, winning 22 of them and posting a .920 save percentage.
A serviceable backup since 2013, Johnson carried a $1.3-million cap hit in 2015-16, taking home $1.6 million. He has a lifetime .917 save percentage in 101 games (88 starts).
The Anaheim Ducks are in search of a veteran backup after trading Frederik Andersen, so there could be a fit out west. The Sharks will need a backup, since it appears Reimer's done out there, though they did sign European prospect Mantas Armalis. The Flames have to figure out who'll back up Elliott, too.
Jhonas Enroth
Another career backup looking for a contract is Jhonas Enroth, who had a strong 2015-16 season in very limited duty behind the formidable Los Angeles Kings.
Enroth started only 13 games in place of Jonathan Quick, but he acquitted himself well when he had the crease, setting career highs in save percentage (.922) and shutouts (two). He was relatively busy, too, facing 28 or more shots in eight of his 13 starts.
The 28-year-old hits the market having spent the majority of his career with the Buffalo Sabres, and with a .911 save percentage in 147 games (128 starts). He made $1.25 million in salary and against the cap last season, and won't cost much.
Like Johnson, Enroth is a veteran option for the clubs out there looking for a No. 2 - the Blues, Ducks, Flames, and Edmonton Oilers.
Al Montoya
Al Montoya's time with the Florida Panthers is over. Reto Berra, acquired in a trade last week, will back up Roberto Luongo.
A former sixth overall pick, Montoya did his job and more last season, posting a .919 save percentage in 22 starts for the Atlantic Division winners. His 2.18 goals-against average was the lowest of his career.
The 31-year-old has career numbers similar to Enroth: a .909 save percentage in 137 games (110 starts). Our money's on the Oilers signing him to be Cam Talbot's insurance policy.
Montoya cost $1.05 million against the cap ($1.1 million salary) in 2015-16, and can likely be had at a similar number.
Carter Hutton
After three years backing up Pekka Rinne in Nashville, Carter Hutton appears set to move on from Music City.
Hutton, who will be 31 in December, had a .918 save percentage and two shutouts in 17 games (15 starts) for the Predators last season. He made only $750,000 in salary, and heads into free agency with a lifetime .910 save percentage and four shutouts in 76 games (67 starts).
Having played in the tough Western Conference, he's definitely an option for the Ducks, Flames, Blues, and Oilers.
"I feel in a way sometimes that I'm just kind of scratching the surface a bit. In years past when I get to play, I've been successful," Hutton told The Tennessean's Adam Vingan at the end of the season. "Obviously, playing with (Rinne) is amazing. He's helped me get better and better. ... We're like best buddies. But at the same time, there's a reason he's the best in the world, and playing with him sometimes is tough to get more minutes."
Honorable mentions
- Anton Khudobin (lifetime .918 save percentage)
- Jonas Gustavsson (lifetime .908)
- Karri Ramo (.906 lifetime, coming off ACL surgery)
- Jeff Zatkoff (.915 in 35 NHL games)
- Ben Scrivens (.905 lifetime)
- Anders Lindback (.904 lifetime)