Free Agency kicks off on Monday with the Jets possibly looking for a new backup netminder
The Winnipeg Jets have an estimated $8.75 million in cap space heading into free agency, where they look to hopefully shore up holes on the roster.
One Jet that the team would like to bring back is backup netminder Laurent Brossoit, who is coming off a career-best season with a 15-5-2 record, 2.00 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
The direction of the organization, according to Manitoba Moose goalie development coach Drew MacIntyre, is to fulfill the role with a free agent, whether it is Brossoit or not.
Winnipeg has enough cap space and interest to bring back the 31-year-old Port Alberni native, but if he decides to leave, there are several netminders around his price point and range that could possibly fit the position.
Anthony Stolarz
The Florida netminder will be a popular name this off-season as one of the best avaliable backups. He had nearly-identical numbers as Brossoit with a 16-7-2 record, a 2.03 goals against average and a .925 save percentage this past season. He is coming off a very affordable contract at $1.1 million cap hit and should see a pay raise.
The 31-year-old played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ Stanley Cup, as he played enough games to give regular starter Sergei Bobrovsky enough rest to continue playing at a high level.
The Jets gave a very similar role to Brossoit with Vezina trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck last season and could make Stolarz a seemless replacement.
Many contending teams will look at the Panthers’ success with a reliable backup and create a bidding war for Stolarz. This would be a very favourable signing for Winnipeg but it could be a challenge to prevent an overpay.
Scott Wedgewood
Dallas was the favourite to win the Western Conference for most of the season and made it all the way to the Conference Finals before being downed by the Edmonton Oilers. Much like the Panthers, the Stars had a backup netminder that provided much needed relief for the team’s regular starter.
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Wedgewood played a great sidekick to superstar Jake Oettinger and should receive a pay raise after finishing with a 16-7-0 record, a 2.85 goals against average and a .899 save percentage.
He is a slightly older 31-year-old but has been playing his best hockey over the past two seasons with a 25-15-8 record, a 2.80 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
He can join a Jets organization that has excelled at the goalie position, which has seen them place in the top-10 in goals against average over the last decade with a 2.79 average. They can help Wedgewood continue his success and become a cheap and reliable backup option.
Kevin Lankinen
The Finnish netminder is coming off two solid seasons as the backup behind Nashville's Juuse Saros. If you remove his 32 starts from his poor second season with the Blackhawks, Lankinen has a 37-28-6 record in the NHL and would work as a solid replacement for Brossoit.
He is a younger 29-years-old and since joining Nashville, he reps a 20-14-1 record with a 2.79 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.
He should be a great cheap option due to his lack of games played at the NHL level, plus could also not be interested in playing in a bigger market after playing in Nashville.
Devin Cooley
The Los Gatos product played for the San Jose Sharks junior program growing up, before eventually playing for the pro team for just six games last season. His future with the club is uncertain and makes him a decent case for a late-career breakout if the Jets play their cards right.
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The Jets development system at the goalie position can turn Cooley into a decent backup as he has the foundation of decent numbers in the minors.
He started off his career with stellar numbers at the University of Denver, where he recorded a 15-9-4 record, a 1.93 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. He continued to win games with a 32-24-6 record and a 3.16 goals against average in 66 AHL games.
Winnipeg could add Cooley as a very cheap option alongside some of the other names listed, as he should still have a decent amount of potential upside.