Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly are looking to move on from Frederik Andersen if (and only if) they find an option in the trade or free-agent market that they would consider an upgrade on the Leafs goaltender. The 30-year-old netminder has one year left at a $5 Million cap hit, but is owed only $1 Million for the 2020-21 season after his signing bonus was paid in July, which means Leafs GM Kyle Dubas would likely be able to move Andersen with no problem to a club looking for a veteran starter and not be tied to a long term commitment. The answer known to only GM Kyle Dubas and Leafs management is which goaltenders available in the trade and free-agent market do they consider an upgrade on Andersen. Here are the goalies rumored or expected to be available now or in early October that would potentially be an upgrade and what they might cost in terms of salary and/or to acquire them.
Matt Murray - Pittsburgh Penguins Contract Status - Restricted free agent (arbitration eligible) 2019 Salary - $3.75 Million Of the available goalies, Murray is the youngest and has two Cup rings to his credit. Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford has to move one of his goalies with the expansion draft next June and will likely re-sign Tristan Jarry to a bridge deal for a cap hit similar to Murray’s this year instead of committing to a long term deal. Trade cost - 2020 or 2021 second-round and 2020 fourth-round pick.
Salary - $5.5 Million on three or four-year deal
Darcy Kuemper - Arizona Coyotes Contract Status - signed through 2021-22 2019 Salary - $4.5 Million Cost certainty would be a big plus with Kuemper, as would Arizona’s reported interest in cutting payroll and rebuilding. The 30-year-old had injury issues last season playing in Rick Tocchet’s defensive-minded system and questions about how good he is has to be factored in since he has only been a full-time starter for two seasons. Trade Cost - 2020 or 2021 first round pick
Jacob Markstrom - Vancouver Canucks Contract Status - Unrestricted free agent 2019 Salary - $3.667 Million Statistically, Markstrom is a carbon copy to Andersen over the last four seasons (Andersen - 2.77 GAA, .916 save % in 244 GP, Markstrom - 2.73 GAA, .913 save % in 183 GP), the only way signing him as a free agent would be considered an upgrade would be if he comes in at less than Andersen’s $5 Million AAV. That might be possible with a loaded goalie market and a flat cap the next few years. Cost - $4.5 Million x 3 to 4 years
Robin Lehner - Vegas Golden Knights Contract Status - Unrestricted free agent 2019 Salary - $5 Million The price for Lehner will continue to go up as the Golden Knights go deeper in the playoffs, but many believe he would be a significant improvement on Andersen. The unknown factor is whether the 29-year-old would play as well under the bright lights of Toronto as he did with the Islanders, Hawks and Vegas. Cost - $6.5 to $7 Million on a 3 to 4 year deal
Marc-Andre Fleury - Vegas Golden Knights Contract Status - signed through 2021-22 2019 Salary - $7 Million Age and durability have to be questions with Fleury, but there is no denying the three-time Cup winner’s pedigree. Vegas trading the 35-year-old would be conditional on their extending Lehner and any deal would likely entail the Golden Knights retaining some salary. This could be a move similar to the Leafs adding an aging but still excellent Eddie Belfour in 2002 after Curtis Joseph departed to Detroit. Trade Cost - conditional second-round pick, $2 Million retained *******