- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Stars tend to lean on their young players instead of overspending in free agency, but GM Jim Nill could look at some free agents to improve the team. Goalie free agent targets could include:Antti Niemi – He made $4 million, so signing him may not be cheap. Bringing in Niemi would mean they would need to trade Kari Lehtonen.
Karri Ramo – Had two solid seasons with the Flames and may be the perfect “competitor” for Lehtonen. They would have to sell hard to bring him in, and it might take a raise over the $2.9 million he made last year. Could also bring in another goalie along with Ramo and trade Lehtonen.
Ray Emery – He made $1 million and could be a backup option. He’s a good locker room guy and provides some leadership.
Jhonas Enroth – Auditioned Enroth last year with mixed reviews. May not be steady enough to be a backup. He did finish the season winning four straight.
Devan Dubnyk – A long-shot. He still hasn’t re-signed with the Wild and could test the open market. Both Dubnyk and the Wild say they want to get a deal done.
- Scott Lewis of Sportsnet: Six teams that could look to trade a goaltender this offseason.Ducks – Frederik Andersen took the No. 1 role and Elliotte Friedman thinks the Ducks could get calls on John Gibson. Both Andersen and Gibson are signed through next season.
Flames – Friedman on Sportsnet 960.
“I’m not convinced that either Ramo or Hiller is 100 percent coming back next year – that maybe Calgary has a new goalie in net.”
Karri Ramo is a UFA and Jonas Hiller has a year left at a $4.5 million cap hit. A team like the Blues could see Hiller as an upgrade to their own problems, if not, he’ll be back next year.
Stars – Kari Lehtonen could be available at a discounted price. Lehtonen has three years left at a $5.9 million cap hit. Unless someone thinks he can turn it around, he’ll likely be returning to Dallas.
Senators – Robin Lehner will get the most interest in Ottawa. Both Craig Anderson and Lehner have two years left on their deals. Will come down to who offers what GM Bryan Murray is looking for. Murray wants to win now.
Canucks – The Canucks have Ryan Miller, Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom.
“Vancouver’s got an extra goalie,” Friedman said Friday. “They’ve got to make a decision on Markstrom. They think he can play in the NHL. So maybe next year their team is Miller and Markstrom and Eddie Lack goes and plays somewhere else.”
Jets – Ondrej Pavelec put up career-best numbers last year. He has two-years left at a $3.9 million cap hit. The Jets could look to sell high on him.