NHL Free Agency: Ranking best landing spots for five UFA goaltenders

These are the best fits for some of the goaltenders set to enter NHL Free Agency.

Get ready for a crazy day across the league with NHL Free Agency opening at noon Eastern Time, and there should be a lot of movement and activity when it comes to netminders throughout today.

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There are some big names set to hit the open market and, with a lot of goalie-hungry teams out there, that could make for quite the start to today’s proceedings when it comes to a bidding war for the netminders available.

From Philipp Grubauer to Frederik Andersen to Tuukka Rask, we could see see a lot of familiar faces in new places by the end of today, and we are going to attempt to rank the best fits for the plethora of goalies that will be available today.

So, without further ado, let’s delve right in…

Ranking the best fits for these five UFA Goaltenders in NHL Free Agency

5. Martin Jones

After being bought out by the San Jose Sharks this week, Martin Jones will now be looking for a new home and he could be an intriguing option for a number of different teams in the NHL.

Despite a rough couple of years with the Sharks, Jones could still be a decent backup for most teams in the league, and he may have a role as a reliable No. 2 for a true contender like the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After all, Jones is a proven Playoff performer and he does seem to raise his game when it matters most, as backed up by his .916 Save Percentage and 2.41 Goals Against Average in 60 postseason starts, not to mention a handful of heroic, game-saving performances on his resume.

Again, Jones is coming off a tough couple of years with San Jose, including a 3.28 Goals Against Average and a .896 Save Percentage in 2020-21 coupled with a 3.00 GAA and a .896 SV% in 2019-20, but the veteran may benefit from a change of scenery and more reliable blueline play in front of him.

Best Fit: The Toronto Maple Leafs

3. Tuukka Rask

One big-name goaltender set to hit NHL Free Agency today is Tuukka Rask, although it is worth keeping in mind that the veteran still has to undergo hip surgery this offseason, so he won’t be available for the start of the 2021-22 season.

That could persuade a number of teams to steer clear, especially if they are looking for a starter, coupled with the fact that the goalie market today will be incredibly crowded with a number of very good netminders available.

Therefore, the best fit for Rask could be to sign a new deal to remain with the Boston Bruins and see out his career with the only team he’s called home in the NHL.

With his family settled in the area, it would make sense for Rask to sign an extension with the B’s and he still has some good hockey left in the tank, while remaining where he is does give him a good shot at winning another Stanley Cup.

For Boston, re-signing Rask would ease their goaltending woes somewhat and if they can sign another veteran (see previous slide) like a Braden Holtby who could carry the load while Rask recovers from surgery, then they should be in good shape heading into the 2021-22 season.

Best Fit: Boston Bruins 

2. Frederik Andersen

Yet to receive an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is very likely that Frederik Andersen will hit the open market today and there should be a lot of interested parties in the goaltender.

Coming off a five-year, $25 million contract, Andersen endured a difficult 2020-21 season with the Maple Leafs after finishing with a 2.96 Goals Against Average and a .895 Save Percentage in 24 games, although he wasn’t helped by consistent bad play in-front of him.

He was also sidelined for the last chunk of the regular season and the Playoffs with a lower-body injury, and it appears as though the Maple Leafs will look for a fresh face between the pipes once Free Agency opens later.

So, where does that leave Andersen?

Well, despite his below-average year, he’s still one of the best goalies in the NHL when he’s healthy, and he could be the perfect fit for the Carolina Hurricanes who have long craved a legit No. 1 starter.

Andersen would be just that for the Canes and he could be the piece they need to get over the final couple of hurdles in the postseason.

Best Fit: Carolina Hurricanes 

1. Philipp Grubauer

As mentioned in our previous slide, it appears likely that Frederik Andersen will sign elsewhere in NHL Free Agency today, allowing the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a serious run at another elite goalie that will be available today.

Philipp Grubauer will be the biggest netminder to hit the open market today, and it looks almost certain that he won’t be re-signing with the Colorado Avalanche after talks between the two parties broke down.

Therefore, Grubauer will be pitching offers and he could be tempted at the opportunity to become the new No. 1 starter for the Maple Leafs, who are looking for a significant change between the pipes in order to spark an underperforming roster into life.

Grubauer would certainly be an upgrade for the Leafs given Andersen’s recent struggles, and the German-born goalie went 30-9-1 with the Avs in 2020-21, posting seven shutouts, a .922 Save Percentage and a stellar 1.95 Goals Against Average, which was the best mark in the league.

He finished third in Vezina Trophy voting as a result and, coming off a three-year, $10 million contract, Grubauer would command a rise on that given the elite level he’s been playing at over the last few years.

While the Maple Leafs would have to clear out some salary – they have around $9 million in cap space per CapFriendly – they do seem the logical fit for Grubauer and he could be the final piece they need to finally be a threat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Best Fit: Toronto Maple Leafs