Top 4 restricted free-agent goalies
Post published before Louis Domingue signed a 2-year contract
After a postseason where a number of young goaltenders stole the spotlight, it's hard to imagine that many teams will be looking to give up on their young netminders this summer.
But with a number of restricted free agents due for a raise next season, some teams may be willing to move one of their goalies via trade - while hoping they don't become the next Martin Jones.
With Frederik Andersen now signed long-term with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Michael Hutchinson back with the Winnipeg Jets, here are the top four remaining RFA goalies this offseason:
Louis Domingue
After Mike Smith was forced out of the lineup following core muscle surgery in December, Domingue kept the Coyotes' early-season playoff aspirations alive into the new year, earning Rookie of the Month honors in January after posting a 6-3-2 record with a .925 save percentage.
Despite a significant dip in form the rest of the season, the 24-year-old should be eyeing a one-way deal for next season. New general manager John Chayka is more likely than not to re-sign Domingue as a backup - unless he seeks an upgrade from elsewhere.
Darcy Kuemper
After Devan Dubnyk was rewarded with a six-year contract last offseason, Kuemper's future with the Wild looked increasingly uncertain, and GM Chuck Fletcher has gone on to say that trading the 26-year-old will be considered during the offseason.
While he is yet to prove he can hold down a starting job - never appearing in more than 31 games - Kuemper may be a more affordable option for teams eyeing a new backup. The netminder has already received a qualifying offer from the Wild after making $1.5 million last season.
Petr Mrazek
The least likely to move out of the listed netminders, Mrazek solidified himself as the goaltender of the future in Motown, forcing Jimmy Howard and his remaining three years and $15 million of his contract onto the trade block.
Mrazek's 27 wins led all RFA goaltenders, and the 24-year-old received Vezina consideration early in the season. His contract length and value may depend on the team's ability to move Howard, but the Red Wings are in a much better financial situation after moving Pavel Datsyuk's contract to Arizona.
Calvin Pickard
With almost $18 million committed to Semyon Varlamov over the next three seasons, the Avalanche face a tough decision after Pickard posted a .929 save percentage over the final three months of the season.
The 24-year-old recently won gold with Canada at the World Championship, allowing just one goal over a pair of starts, and he may follow in Canadian teammate Cam Talbot's footsteps this summer, in being rewarded with a starting job after an offseason trade.