This summer several NHL teams could find themselves looking toward the unrestricted free agent market for affordable goaltending depth.
The Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, NY Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers and Dallas stars are among several teams that could tap into that market for help between the pipes.
Boston's Tim Thomas and Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin will be the two notable names possibly available this summer but their salary demands could be well beyound what the aforementioned clubs might be willing to pay.
The options of offer sheets toward restricted free agents are also limited. Atlanta's Kari Lehtonen and Minnesota's Josh Harding would top the list but the cost of prying them away from their current clubs would likely be far more than most of the above would be willing to spend.
So who might be potentially available this summer as affordable goaltending options?
New Jersey's Scott Clemmensen probably tops the list. He saved the Devils season when Martin Brodeur was sidelined for four months by winning 25 games, posting a 2.39 GAA, a .917 SP with two shutouts. He earned $550K this season and could be available for around $2 million per season on a one-two year contract.
Detroit's Ty Conklin is another option. Yes, he's struggled of late but his numbers (25-9-2, 2.42 GAA, .912 SP, 6 shutouts) will attract considerable interest around the league if as expected he hits the UFA market this summer. He earned 750K this season and could seek a $2 million per season contract.
Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson may be long in the tooth (39) but he outplayed two contenders for his role as the Oilers starting goalie this season, going 27-21-9, with a 2.77 GAA, a .915 SP and one shutout. He earned $3 million this season (the cap hit was $3.667 million) and if he's available might be signed for less than that (perhaps $2.5 million) on a one-year contract.
Florida's Craig Anderson at one point this season appeared to challenge Tomas Vokoun for the stater's job with the Panthers. His record thus far is 14-6-5 with 2.73 GAA, .924 SP and three shutouts. He made $575K this season and is another who could be had probably for around $2 million per.
San Jose's Brian Boucher played well in a backup role this season, with an 11-6-3 record, 2.19 GAA, .917 SP and 2 shutouts. He has experience as a starter but might be best suited at this point of his NHL career as a backup. His salary for this season was $650K and could be had probably for double that amount.
Philadelphia's Antero Niittymaki and Martin Biron are both eligible for UFA status this summer. It remains to be seen which one the Flyers will try to retain. Niittymaki has struggled through hip injuries while consistency appears to be Biron's problem. Both however have posted good numbers this season with the Flyers. Biron won 26 games, with a 2.72 GAA, .916 SP and 2 shutouts, Niittymaki has a 15-8-5 record, a 2.80 GAA, .911 SP and one shutout.
Biron made $3.5 million this season but might not be able to attract a similar salary in the UFA market, perhaps having to accept between $2.5-$3 million per. Niittymaki earned $1.375 million this season but could find it difficult to land a substantial raise.