This summer, Jason Newland and I will continue our series looking at potential free agent targets who could be available on July 1.
Target: Alex Lyon – G – 8 Years Experience
Lyon, 32, seems to be everyone’s favourite backup goalie. He’s often the guy who saves a team’s bacon down the stretch and either helps them clinch a playoff spot or keeps them in the mix until the very end. He’s the kind of backup you can rely on, and that’s why he always finds a new home when he hits free agency.
If the Columbus Blue Jackets are serious about a goalie overhaul and want a dependable backup on a cheap deal, Lyon might be their best option.
Stats
This season with the Detroit Red Wings, Lyon appeared in 30 games, started 26 of them, and posted a 14-9-1 record with a .896 SV% and a 2.81 GAA. His best season numbers-wise came the year before, when he had a 21-18-5 record in 44 games with a .904 SV% and a 3.05 GAA.
He’s best known for stepping up with the Florida Panthers in 2022-23, helping them win down the stretch and get into the playoffs. That season, he went 9-4-2 with a .912 SV% and a 2.89 GAA.
Previous Salary
Lyon has never been a goalie that’s made a lot in his career. He’s wrapping up a two-year deal with a $900,000 AAV. Contract experts think he could land a two-year deal with an AAV in the neighbourhood of $1.8 million.
Realistic Chances of a Signing: Warm
Like mentioned earlier, if the Blue Jackets are actually going to shake up the goalie mix, then there’s a pretty decent chance that Lyon ends up being someone GM Don Waddell looks at. The biggest question is: who’s going to be the starter? Will it still be Elvis Merzlikins? Because if that’s the case, it’s almost guaranteed that Jet Greaves will be the backup, and there likely wouldn’t be a need for Lyon.
However, there’s also a real chance that Waddell finds a way to move on from Merzlikins, and that could open the door for Greaves to take over as the full-time starter. That would mean they’d need a proven backup who can step in and handle 30–35 games, which is exactly what Lyon has shown he can do.
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This summer, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/author/jason-newland">Jason Newland </a>and I will continue our series looking at potential free agent targets who could be available on July 1.
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You still have time to join Team Columbus for the first-ever Gaudreau 5K. Please use <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1700725?raceId=174190&fbclid=IwY2xjawKj5QFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFoZThRdnpYOEhtdHNlUzdGAR7XjZC9-U8hFt4pxNn52PQ014aLGl-k5u01ADlUx_Bd3KpRk3qymfKbRvQQ9w_aem_8NyYOTxwit_B0dos87erZg">this link</a> to sign up and complete the 5K.
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This summer, <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/author/jason-newland">Jason Newland </a>and I will continue our series looking at potential free agent targets who could be available on July 1.