An intriguing storyline for hockey fans to follow this offseason centers on the constant rumours of five established NHL goaltenders and where they will end up next season.
Heading towards the July 1st free agent period, two of these quality goalies include Frederik Andersen, who this past spring helped the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, and future Hall of Famer Sergei Bobrovsky, who, a couple of years back, led the Florida Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins.
Potential NHL Goaltenders Who Could Be On the Move
Where Will Unrestricted Free Agents Goalies Bobrovsky and Andersen End Up?
Bobrovsky, who around the league is affectionately known as ‘Goalie Bob,’ is coming off a 7-year, $70 million contract, which saw him, during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, lead the Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cup victories.
Last season, the 37-year-old Bobrovsky went 27-23-1 with 4 shutouts, a 3.07 GAA and a .877 save percentage during what was his 16th season.
During what is a Hall of Fame career, Bobrovsky has played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Panthers, and currently sits in seventh spot on the NHL’s all-time goalie wins leader board with 456 and tied with Jaroslav Halak for 27th with 53 shutouts.
At last year’s trade deadline, there were all sorts of rumors that this two-time Vezina Trophy winner (2013 and 2017) was going to be traded to the Edmonton Oilers, but that obviously never materialized.
As an unrestricted free agent, Bobrovsky is apparently looking for a 6 or 7-year contract worth $42 million, which works out to 6 or 7 million per season.
According to Elliotte Friedman on a recent 32 Thoughts Podcast, he brought up a hot rumor that Bobrovsky could end up signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who already have two former Panthers, including forward Steve Lorentz and “Goalie Bob’s” former backup goalie Anthony Stolarz.Â
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Kevin Weeks reported that the Sabres and Los Angeles Kings were two other teams showing strong interest in this future first ballot hall of famer.
Andersen, despite being 36 years of age and coming off an injury-prone season, will still draw lots of interest in the open market.
Coming off an incredible playoff ride which saw Andersen post a 13-2-0 record with a sparkling 1.89 GAA and .910 save percentage, Andersen, who just completed a one-year $2,750,000 contract, has been mentioned in rumors involving the Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and yes even the Panthers as Bobrovsky’s eventual replacement.
Originally, Andersen was drafted in 2010 187th overall by the Hurricanes. Andersen would start his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks and go on to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs and for the past five seasons, the Hurricanes.
Last year Andersen went 16-14-5 in the regular season with a 3.05 GAA and .874 save percentage. The big question is whether being 36 years-old or having to battle injuries this past season will drive some teams away.
Will The Blues Deal Away St. Louis Blues Goalie Jordan Binnington?
It looks like the St. Louis Blues might be willing to part ways with their franchise all-time leader for goalie wins in Jordan Binnington who according to David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period, is a prime target of the Panthers if of course they can’t sign Bobrovsky.
“Binnington, 32, will see his six-year, $36 million contract expire at the end of the next season. He owns a 10-team no-trade list, as part of his deal, and the Blues are exploring their options,” Pagnotta wrote. “The Stanley Cup champion may be the out man out in St. Louis as the club retools and seems to be eager to move ahead with Joel Hofer in net.”
Fans of a certain age will always remember Binnington for his heroics back in the 2018-19 season when he came on the scene and in only 32 games went 24-5-1 with a 1.89 GAA and 0.927 save percentage in salvaging what looked like a loss season and leading them to the playoffs. During that historic postseason run, Binnington became a hero when he went 16-8-2 with a 2.46 GAA and .914 save percentage in leading the Blues to their first Stanley Cup.
Last season Binnington in 41 games went 13-20-7 with 1 shutout and a 3.33 GAA along with a .873 save percentage.
Winnipeg Jets Rumored To Be Open At Possibility of Trading Goalie Connor Hellebuyck
The Winnipeg Jets, who badly underachieved last season in missing the playoffs are shockingly rumored to be open to the possibility of trading three time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck whose currently on a seven-year contract which doesn’t expire until following the 2030-31 season.
This past season, the 33 year-old Hellebuyck just competed his 10th full season with the Jets where he went 23-23-11 with a 2.86 GAA along with a .895 save percentage. Heading into next season, Hellebuyck holds down 27th spot for all-time career wins at 345 along with 45 shutouts which puts him at number 37 on the NHL’s all-time shutout list.
Hellebuyck, who as hockey fans know played a major role in helping Team USA win 2026 Winter Olympic Gold has been mentioned in recent trade rumors involving the Buffalo Sabres, Panthers and the Maple Leafs.
The veteran goalie would have to approve any deal. You can bet that fans in Winnipeg are closely keeping tabs on the rumors involving their star goalie.
New Jersey Devils Rumored To Be Dangling Goalie Jacob Markstrom In Trade Discussions
Goalie Jacob Markstrom‘s tenure with the New Jersey Devils could be coming to an end.
Markstrom, who is 36 years-old is an established 16 year veteran who during stops with the Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Devils has produced 264 wins, 25 shutouts, along with a career average 2.73 GAA along with a .907 save percentage.
Following this season Markstrom in what was his second season with the Devils went 23-19-1 with a 3.07 GAA and 0.883 save percentage and has been mentioned this off-season as possibly going to either Buffalo, Edmonton or the Panthers.
There will be a lot of movement of players this summer. It will be interesting to see how things play out with these five particular goalies who as mentioned have been named for weeks and in some cases months in various trade rumors.
Main Image: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
