NHL Free Agency Preview Part 2: Goalies

By Jordan Laroche

Tuukka Rask/Jaroslav Halak

Michael Dwyer // AP File

Last Contract: Rask – 8 years x $7,000,000, Halak – 1 year x $2,250,000

Team: Boston Bruins

Stats: Rask – 2.28GAA, .913SV%, Halak – 2.53GAA .905SV%

Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak have been the backbone of the Boston Bruins success over the last several years. The pair won the William M. Jennings Trophy in 2020 and have been one of the premier goaltender duos in the league since Halak joined the team in 2018.

While Halak has been a solid number two, the Bruins may not look to sign him this year. When Rask and Halak were hurt in March, the Bruins looked to prospect, Jeremy Swayman, and he delivered in their absence, posting a 1.50GAA and a .945SV% in 10 starts for the Bruins.

Because of that success, the Bruins looked to Swayman as Rask’s backup for the playoffs and it looks like he could be the backup for the Bruins next year.

Although the Bruins have around $30,000,000 in cap space this summer, going with Swayman will give them more cap flexibility.

In Rask’s case, all signs point to him resigning with the Bruins. He put a great performance in for them in the playoffs with a 2.36GAA and a .919SV%, playing with a defensive core that lost Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug.

My Prediction: Rask will resign with the Bruins, Halak will be on the move.


frederik-andersen-toronto-maple-leafs-020320-getty-ftrjpeg_ud3308d6nfnq1u36wfyij4dm4-fc49aded

Frederik Andersen

Last Contract: 5 years x $5,000,000

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Stats: 2.96GAA .895SV%

This was a tough year for Andersen and the Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition to blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens, Andersen lost the starter’s role to Jack Campbell.

Andersen did not look like himself this year posting a 2.15GAA and a .921SV% and he missed significant time due to a lower-body injury. As a result, Campbell was named the starter for the playoffs and played well, with a 1.81GAA and a .934SV% in the post-season.

With only $10,000,000 in cap space, letting Freddie walk gives the Leafs more options to fill out their bottom six and beef up their defensive group.  

My Prediction: Andersen will sign elsewhere.


Petr Mrazek

Greg Forwerck // NHL

Contract: 2 years x $3,125,000

Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Stats: 2.06GAA .956SV%

Petr Mrazek was sidelined for most of this season after requiring thumb surgery in February. This looked like it could hurt the Carolina Hurricanes season, but much like the Maple Leafs, another goalie would steal the crease from Mrazek.

This season saw the rise of Alex Nedeljkovic, a second-round draft pick by the Hurricanes in 2014. Nedeljkovic was a star in Mrazek’s absence and posted a 1.90GAA and a .932SV% this season. Nedeljkovic would be named the Hurricanes starter for the playoffs.

He would put an impressive performance on against the Nashville Predators, but struggled against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If Mrazek didn’t get hurt, or missed as much time as he did, this would be a very different outlook for Mrazek as the Canes would likely resign him. Mrazek is still a solid number one goaltender, but Carolina appears to have found their guy in Nedeljkovic.

My Prediction: Signs with a new team.


Toronto Maple Leafs v Florida Panthers

Chris Driedger

Michael Reeves // Getty Images

Contract: 2 years x $850,000

Team: Florida Panthers

Stats: 2.07GAA .927SV%

In Driedger’s first full NHL season he managed to give former Vezina winner and Florida Panthers starter, Sergei Bobvrosky, a run for his money. While Driedger never became the “Starter” for the Panthers, he made a strong case to do so.

In addition to Driedger’s stellar play, Bobvrosky struggled this year with a .906SV% and a 2.91GAA, and as a result Driedger but the pair would be one of the better duos in the league this year.

However, later in the year the Panthers wanted to give some games to their first-round draft pick in 2019, Spencer Knight. Even with just four starts this year, Knight left a lasting impact on the Panthers coaching staff.

When Driedger and Bobvrosky struggled in their first round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Knight would start the final two games of the series. With $10,000,000 tied up in Bobvrosky and Spencer Knight looking NHL-ready, it looks like the Panthers will let Driedger walk and there will be plenty of teams looking for his services.

My Prediction: Signs with a new team.  

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