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2019 NHL free agency: 5 potential low-cost bargains

By Dave Stevenson

ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 11: Joonas Donskoi #27 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on March 11, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - MARCH 11: Joonas Donskoi #27 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck during a game with the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on March 11, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota.(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images /

Curtis McElhinney

Curtis McElhinney is a fascinating free agent. He had a great season last year for the Carolina Hurricanes. McElhinney is 36 years old and turns 37 years old next May. However, unlike most goalies, he’s aged like fine wine.

His last three seasons have been his three best save percentage seasons (min. five games played). McElhinney set a career-high last season with 33 appearances in a tandem with the Carolina Hurricanes.

He’s one of the best backup goalies on the market and he’s old. For those two reasons, McElhinney is going to be fairly cheap. And admittedly, his age makes him a bit of a gamble. But it’s a gamble that likely won’t cost much and it’s one that could pay off.

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Teams might take note of what the Hurricanes and Boston Bruins did with their goaltending situations. The former got league-average goaltending with a goalie they signed to a one-year deal and a waiver claim. Meanwhile, the latter saved Tuukka Rask for the postseason by signing Jaroslav Halak.

Potential suitors: The San Jose Sharks are going to be budget conscious, but if McElhinney’s willing to take a discount to try to win a Stanley Cup, that would be a perfect destination for him. A return to the Columbus Blue Jackets or Hurricanes would make sense as well.

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