The General Manager Corner: Free Agent Goalies

Apr 28, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets fans react after their team

After an exhilarating playoffs, general managers have their checkbooks ready and are preparing to throw themselves into the free agent pool.  While general managers get ready for the crazy shopping season, we are going to put our general manager hat and make some educated guesses as to where the big ticket guys end up.

Over the next two weeks we are going to break down the best available free agents by position. While a majority of these players will be overpaid and have their fan bases calling for their heads by Christmas, at least they’ll give their new team a shot at the “July Cup.”

We are going to start with the goalies. Overall the list is unimpressive and there only appears to be two goalies with the chance to start the season as their team’s number one.  But there are some strong backup options available for the signing. So without further ado:

Jan 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) looks down during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center. Penguins beat the Sabres 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Miller

Far and away the best option available for nothing more than money this summer. The longtime Sabre  was shipped to St. Louis at the deadline in the hopes of being the missing piece for the Blues. However after a mediocre close to the regular season, Miller looked like the difference maker he was supposed to be through the first two games of the playoffs. Then things turned south…quick.

He struggled the rest of the series as the Blackhawks dispatched the Blues in six.  St. Louis has made it known they will go in a different direction and have already committed to Brian Elliott. As for Miller? He will turn 34 in July and is in line for one final big payday. Unfortunately for Miller, his desire to play for a contender on the west coast limits his market drastically.  He’s at the stage of his career where he should start declining sooner rather than later. With that said though, no doubt he’ll have enough suitors to drive his price up and land in a solid situation with a team close to winning.

The General Manager Prediction: if you believe the rumors of his preferences, the only team that makes sense is the San Jose Sharks. Sharks general manager Doug Armstrong has promised his team would look different and adding Miller to its core would place it among contenders again. They’ll have to move Antti Niemi to make it happen (shouldn’t be an issue), but ultimately the deal gets done for four years, $28 million total.

Plus wouldn’t it be fitting for the league’s biggest chokers and one of it most overrated goalies to join forces?

Darkhorse team: Pittsburgh Penguins

May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Jonas Hiller

Other than Miller he’s the only goalie on this list with a legitimate claim to be a number one next season.  He has put up solid numbers in his career and is often overlooked due to playing with the balanced Ducks.

This season was a bit of a whirl wind for Hiller who was the starter, then lost his job, then the starter, and then lost his job again in the playoffs.  It seems likely that the Ducks will go with the inexperienced duo of Frederik Andersen and John Gibson for next season.  Andersen already inked a two-year extension early in the season and Gibson is being hyped as the next great goalie.  There doesn’t appear to be any room for Hiller.

Hiller will never be an elite goalie, but gives a workman-like effort and will give his team a chance to win more often than not.  He’s coming off a season where he made $4.5 million and will be hard-pressed to get more than that in this market where there appears to be too many quality goalies for only a handful of spots.

The General Manager Prediction: someone will recognize that Hiller is an upgrade over their current goalie and since the goalie market overall is suppressed, will be able to get Hiller at a reasonable price.  That someone will be the Calgary Flames who are in need of a number one goalie to get the bulk of starts over Karri Ramo.  Ramo was serviceable in 40 games this past season, but Hiller can start 55 games and give the Flames a legitimate number one.  Figure a four-year contract at a total of $18 million seals the deal.

Darkhorse team: Washington Capitals

Apr 13, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) warms up prior to their final game of the 2013-2014 NHL season at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Brodeur

After Miller and Hiller, there isn’t much starting quality goaltending left and you could have sold me on a number of guys at this third position.  For now though I’ll give the nod to the game’s winningest goaltender.  Brodeur said he wants to play one more season and knows it won’t be with his New Jersey Devils.

Despite what he may think, Brodeur is only a backup now and should have been this past season too (you can make the argument that the Devils catered to Brodeur to the detriment of the team’s playoff hopes).  While Brodeur would no doubt prefer to go to the Western Conference so he wouldn’t have to be regularly matched up against his former team, he may not have a choice if he wants to find employment this season.

Brodeur has had a marverlous career and arguably the greatest to ever strap on the pads.  While it’s understandable that a former great athlete would have an ego to want to hang on one more year, it will be a little weird and a little sad to see him don something other than the New Jersey sweater.  But short of a change of heart, that looks like it’ll be the case.

The General Manager Prediction: there just isn’t a lot of options here for Brodeur.  He wants to play and wants to win, but most of those teams are set in net.  While he’d prefer the Western Conference, my gut tells me that he’ll get some serious interest and ultimately sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins for one-year, $2 million.  It’ll give Brodeur a chance to win one more title and match Patrick Roy while also giving him a legitimate shot at playing time when Marc-Andre Fleury implodes.

Darkhorse team: Montreal Canadiens

Mar 27, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov (20) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Evgeni Nabokov

The former Shark great and Islander goalie will be 39 this summer.  He has had a borderline hall of fame career but is at the end of the line.  His save percentage has decreased each season with the Islanders and would best be suited as either a backup or a “1B” option.

The knock on Nabokov has been his postseason play.  While he wouldn’t be the first goalie you turn to in a big spot, he still has managed 42 career playoff victories and helped the Sharks reach a conference final.  He’s a great locker room guy and is the kind of goalie you’d love to have mentoring a kid.  He’s as professional as they come despite his recent regression.  No doubt there will be a handful of teams looking to acquire his services.  His tank is getting close to “E”, but there’s stil a little something left.

The General Manager Prediction: it’s tough to think Nabokov is going to want to go into another rebuilding situation.  While a title contender may not come knocking, there are plenty of playoff hopefuls that could use a boost from their backup.  With that, a team like the Columbus Blue Jackets could benefit from a solid veteran like Nabokov.  It also isn’t a bad thing to have a fellow Russian to pair with franchise goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.  In Columbus Nabokov can be counted on for 20-22 games and to act as a calming influence for the young Jackets.  A one-year, $2.5 million contract should be enough for Nabokov to take his services to Columbus.

Darkhorse team: Philadelphia Flyers