Exploring Free Agent Goalie Options for the Ottawa Senators

Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet reports that the Ottawa Senators have been actively pursuing stability in their goaltending position since the departure of Craig Anderson in 2020. With Cam Talbot not returning and Anton Forsberg likely remaining as one of the goalies, the Senators must explore their options. General Manager Pierre Dorion has stated, “The other guy will either be (from) internally, through trade or free agency.” While Dorion acknowledges that Mads Sogaard is seen as the potential goalie of the future, there is uncertainty surrounding his arrival in the NHL. Therefore, the Senators are eyeing various free agent alternatives to solidify their netminding situation.

Some appealing free agent targets for the Senators include:

Jonathan Quick from the Golden Knights, who at 37 may not be the best investment. Semyon Varlamov of the Islanders could be a valuable addition, although he comes with a hefty price tag. Frederik Andersen of the Hurricanes has had some concerning underlying statistics, particularly since fellow unrestricted free agent Antti Raanta claimed the starting role during the playoffs. Tristan Jarry from the Penguins might garner interest throughout the league if he doesn’t secure a new deal with Pittsburgh. Adin Hill from the Golden Knights had a quietly impressive season and could be an under-the-radar signing. Lastly, Joonas Korpisalo of the Kings stepped up as the starting goalie in LA after taking over from Pheonix Copley and may be retained by the Kings.

Evaluating the Market Value of Jason Zucker

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now emphasizes that the Pittsburgh Penguins should make an effort to re-sign their pending unrestricted free agent forward, Jason Zucker. However, the team may face challenges in offering him a competitive salary that matches what he could potentially earn on the open market. It’s crucial for the Penguins to tread carefully and avoid overextending their budget. Comparisons can be drawn to recent contracts such as the New Jersey Devils’ Ondrej Palat, who signed a five-year deal worth $6 million per season, and Andre Burakovsky’s five-year, $5.5 million contract, along with Ilya Mikheyev’s four-year deal at $4.75 million.

Considering these factors, a hometown offer for Zucker is likely to start at a minimum of $5 million, with $6 million representing a possible ceiling. Should the negotiations exceed this amount, it may lead to Zucker exploring free agency. A four-year contract ranging from $22-24 million appears to be a sensible offer for the Penguins. Anything surpassing this threshold would be a signal for the team to allow Zucker to test the waters of free agency.