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Three Free Agent Goalies To Consider

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty | By Joe Patarino | Last updated 5/19/24

Earlier this week I gave a potential trade option for the LA Kings between the pipes. Here, we’ll take a look at three goaltenders who are Unrestricted Free Agents that I think could be good fits with the Kings.

I’ll note – Cam Talbot is not included in the below. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t be open to him coming back, but figured he’s a known commodity and wanted to look at what other names we might see if the Kings explore free agency.

Sticktaps to Evolving Hockey and their contract projections as well. Here we go.

Anthony Stolarz – Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: 3 years, $3.47M AAV

Anthony Stolarz made this list during last summer’s exercise and for good reason. In 27 games with the Florida Panthers this season Stolarz went 16-7-2 with a 2.03 GAA and .925 SV%. Among goaltenders with at least 10 games played, Stolarz was third in GSAx/60 (per MoneyPuck). He did all of this while making $1.1M AAV on a one-year deal. The 30-year-old netminder will surely be in line for a raise on his $1.1M and though Evolving Hockey projects him for three years, their contract projection on a two-year deal is a $2.57M AAV. This would be a really solid deal for any team if they can pull off a shorter-term deal.

Over the past three seasons, Stolarz has ranked 16th in the NHL in Evolving Hockey’s GSAx. Ahead of the likes of Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman, Ilya Sorokin, and Linus Ullmark, to name a few.

We all know of LA’s cap constraints but if there’s a way to make Stolarz fit on a short deal, he’d be a solid option. Having been a backup the bulk of his career, Stolarz would have as good an opportunity as ever to get plenty of starts in LA.

Laurent Broissoit – Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: 3 years, 3.81M AAV

Not once in Laurent Brossoit‘s career has he made $3M in AAV and I really don’t think he’s going to get that in this contract. Evolving Hockey’s projection on a one or two-year deal is $2.05M AAV and $2.24M AAV respectively, and I think those could be a touch high as well.

In the 2023-24 season, the 31-year-old made $1.75M on a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. And he was once again solid. Like Stolarz above, he was among the best in the NHL in GSAx/60 (per MoneyPuck) coming in two spots behind Stolarz in fifth place.

Brossoit has finished in the top 20 – and was second in the 2022-23 season – in High Danger Save Percentage (per MoneyPuck). With Winnipeg this past season, the British Columbia native went 15-5-2 with a 2.00 GAA and .927 SV%. He’s quietly been one of the better backup goaltenders in the NHL for a while now. Could he thrive in a tandem role with the LA Kings?

Kevin Lankinen – Evolving Hockey Contract Projection: 1 year, $1.46M AAV

There’s going to be plenty of conversation around the Nashville Predators and their goaltending situation this summer. Starter Juuse Saros has been the subject of trade rumors for a couple of seasons now as top prospect Yaroslav Askarov is knocking on the NHL’s door. Assuming Saros stays in the Music City, that could leave his backup, Kevin Lankinen, as a potential target come July.

The 29-year-old Lankinen went 11-6 in 17 starts this season (he appeared in 24 games) with a 2.82 GAA and .908 SV%. The year prior, Lankinen posted an impressive .916 SV% with the Predators. In the 23-24 season, Lankinen finished 21st in GSAx/60 (per MoneyPuck), tied with LA’s Cam Talbot and a tick behind Igor Shesterkin and Charlie Lindgren. Lankinen was 11th in the NHL in that same stat in the 22-23 season.

If LA passes on Talbot, they could fill the role cheaply with the Finnish Lankinen.

Whether the LA Kings decide to run it back with Talbot and Rittich, pursue the trade market or free agency, there will be options for them at minimal cost.

Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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