Those following theScore's free-agent rankings should be well aware the summer's most abundant resource is backup goaltending.
Whether it's those looking to move into a starting job for the first time in their career, or others being relegated to backup duty following a failed stint as a workhorse starter, the open market is flush with goalies capable of starting 10-40 games per season.
Teams looking to land a viable starter they can plug in for 60-65 starts per season without having to worry about inconsistencies don't have many proven options to choose from. The Pittsburgh Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury will be available via trade, but his $5.75-million cap hit will be tough to swallow for any Cup hopeful looking to add the 32-year-old for the next two seasons.
Here's a look at goalies available either as free agents, expansion candidates for the Vegas Golden Knights, or potential trade targets:
Looking for a shot
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- Anders Nilsson, Sabres: Nilsson spent just one season with Buffalo, his fourth team during his five-year career. His .934 save percentage at even strength was his best ever in just his third year starting at least 23 games. He's likely not in the starting conversation, but he should have an opportunity to receive a larger portion of a timeshare.
- Darcy Kuemper, Wild: Kuemper and starter Devan Dubnyk were each propped up by the Wild's strong defensive system, though Kuemper struggled to a .902 save percentage in all situations through 18 appearances. He has spent the first five years of his career with the Wild, but with Alex Stalock under contract for two more years as Dubnyk's backup, he's likely headed for a backup role in a new city.
- Antti Raanta, Rangers: The wise move may be for the Rangers to retain the 27-year-old Raanta over Henrik Lundqvist, who is eight years his senior. Raanta, who has one year left on his contract, will be a top target of the Golden Knights, but coming off a season with a .922 save percentage through 30 appearances, the Rangers could find something of value instead of shipping him to a team in need of a young starter.
- Aaron Dell, Sharks: Dell vastly outplayed his $625,000 salary in his first year in the NHL, posting a .931 save percentage in 20 games. Martin Jones is locked in as the Sharks' goalie of the present and future, but Dell finds himself in a similar situation Jones had with the Los Angeles Kings. One more season like Dell just had, and he could land a big-money deal elsewhere. The Sharks would be wise to capitalize on his breakout season.
- Philipp Grubauer, Capitals: Grubauer is widely believed to be the best backup goaltender in the league. He's a free agent, and is the most likely to be promoted to a starting role within another organisation. He made a career-high 19 starts last season, but at just 25 years old, he could be ready to follow in the steps of Jones and Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot.
Looking for another shot
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- Jonathan Bernier, Ducks: Bernier played the final season of a two-year, $8.3-million deal with the Ducks last season as backup to the cheaper John Gibson. He unsurprisingly rebounded with less work on a superior team to the Maple Leafs, for whom he started for three seasons. He's again a strong option for a potential tandem.
- Brian Elliott, Flames: A warning sign for any team looking to hand a starting job to any of those mentioned above, Elliott posted a .910 save percentage over 49 games while playing out the final season of a three-year deal originally signed with the St. Louis Blues.
- Antti Niemi, Stars: With Ben Bishop signed, the Stars need to move one or both of Niemi and Kari Lehtonen. Niemi's slightly more attractive, with just one year remaining on his contract at a lower cap hit. His save percentage dipped below .900 for the first time in his career, but he could have something to offer as a backup to an inexperienced goalie.
- Steve Mason, Flyers: Mason remains without a contract as the Flyers opt to roll with the tandem of Michal Neuvirth and Anthony Stolarz for at least one season. A change of scenery worked the last time, when he moved from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Flyers, and he's still on the young side of 30.
- Ondrej Pavelec, Jets: The Jets are finally free of the five-year, $19.5-million contract they handed Pavelec ahead of the 2012-13 season. His number of starts has declined each of the past three seasons, and he spent most of the 2016-17 season in the AHL. He'll likely be offered more playing time in Europe than he would in North America.
Worth a shot
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
- Pekka Rinne, Predators: Rinne has a modified no-trade clause he'd need to waive in order for the Predators to expose him to the expansion draft. While they're unlikely to ask him to do so, there are obvious benefits to getting rid of the 34-year-old's $7-million cap hit. Juuse Saros is just 22, and posted a .923 save percentage in 21 games last season. A contender could offer the Predators some cap relief and Rinne another shot at the Stanley Cup.
- Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins: The most likely "first goaltender in Vegas Golden Knights history," Fleury has made himself available to all 30 non-Stanley Cup champions. His inconsistencies are well known, but he's just 32 years old and can handle a full workload for at least the next two seasons.
- Joonas Korpisalo, Blue Jackets: At just 23 years of age, Korpisalo is the youngest goalie capable of stepping into a larger role if he gets out of the shadow of Sergei Bobrovsky in Columbus. He has a .915 save percentage through 43 NHL starts and 45 games. The Blue Jackets could sell him in order to avoid losing him for nothing, and he could serve under an older starter with the expectation of taking over in a year or two.
