The Detroit Red Wings will be in the market for a goaltender this offseason and it will likely come through free agency. They had a .894 team save percentage and their starter, Ville Husso, provided just a .896 SV%. Behind him, Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg will be hitting free agency and the Red Wings will need to bring someone in that can provide relief for Husso and even split the games with him. Ranking 22nd in goals against this season, the team will be looking for a big bump in production if they intend on competing for a playoff spot next season. Here are three goalies they can target in free agency.
Semyon Varlamov
Semyon Varlamov has been a starter for many years, is a veteran who provides consistent outings, and is one of the best options that will be available this season. His time with the New York Islanders has come to an end after getting overtaken by one of the league’s best in Ilya Sorokin. This is no fault of Varlamov’s, but he still has a few good years left in him.
The 35-year-old finished this season with a .913 SV%, two shutouts, a .636 quality start percentage (QS%), and 6.0 goals saved above average (GSAA). Varlamov was making $5 million AAV on his last contract and won’t have as high of a cap hit, but the Red Wings need saves. The veteran has provided that when he’s gotten the chance these past few seasons behind Sorokin.
Cam Talbot
As the Ottawa Senators and Cam Talbot couldn’t agree on the term while trying to negotiate a contract, that means the veteran is looking to sign somewhere for longer than one year. That fits the Red Wings’ timetable as Sebastian Cossa should spend two more years developing and Husso’s contract will also be up at that time.
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Talbot struggled last season with the poor defence of the Senators, but the Red Wings have some players more focused on defending, potentially upping the output the veteran could provide for them. He was the starter last season for Ottawa, so there is no question whether he can split time with Husso. Talbot has also provided many years of quality play.
Antti Raanta
Antti Raanta might not be on the same level as Varlamov or Talbot in terms of being a long-time starter, but when healthy, he provides some strong goaltending. He was the Carolina Hurricanes’ starter for the majority of the playoffs until Frederik Andersen was healthy enough. He was good once again this season, but with Pyotr Kochetkov already signed and Andersen having the inside track on being the team’s other goalie, he seems to be the odd man out.
Raanta’s play this season and in his career is proof that he can step in when needed and give the team exactly what they need in net. He’s younger than the first two goalies, but when he’s started 25 or more games in a season, he has never posted lower than a .910 SV%. He will probably come the cheapest and is a potential 1-2 year signing.
NO to Talbot
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