NHL Gifts Under The Christmas Tree: Goaltenders

It is just a few days until everyone starts opening their Christmas presents, but for NHL general managers, their special days will be leading up to the March 8th trade deadline. With cap space hard to come by, it is likely that contending teams will wait until the last minute to make their moves to maximize the room they have to work with under the salary cap and to hope that the price for pending unrestricted free agents or players with short term left on their deals. 

Many clubs are looking for one or two difference-makers at key positions to improve their post-season chances, and at each position, there are obtainable options that could help a team advance further. 

Here are five goaltenders who could be on the move before or on March 8th:

Jake Allen – Montreal Canadiens

Salary – $3.85 million

Status – Signed through 2024 – 25

The Canadiens are not likely to be in the playoff race before the deadline and have two young goalies in Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, who could use the experience. Allen has a .904 save percentage for the rebuilding Habs and could be a stop-gap solution for a club like Carolina or New Jersey who may be a goalie away from being a serious contender. 

Daniel Vladar – Calgary Flames

Salary – $2.2 million

Status – Signed through 2024-25

Similar to Allen, Vladar is more of a stop-gap with a year left on his deal but could be a longer-term solution in the right situation.  The 26-year-old has served as Jacob Markstrom’s backup for two seasons, but Calgary has 22-year-old prospect Dustin Wolf pushing for playing time, which could have GM Craig Conroy looking to move the 6’5” goalie for draft picks or prospects. 

Kaapo Kahkonen – San Jose Sharks

Salary –  $2.75 million

Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024

The 27-year-old Finn has over 100 games of NHL experience with Minnesota and San Jose and has been splitting time with MacKenzie Blackwood this season. Kahkonen has a respectable five wins with a struggling Sharks club. GM Mike Grier could retain salary to make him more marketable and increase his return.

Marc-Andre Fleury – Minnesota Wild

Salary – $3.5 million

Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024

The Wild are struggling to get back into the Western Conference playoff race after a slow start and firing head coach Dean Evason. Filip Gustavsson is getting most of the starts, and this season likely is the future Hall-of-Famer’s last, but there might still be interest in him (hello, Pittsburgh). GM Bill Guerin has youngster Jesper Wallstedt playing in AHL Iowa, and a deal involving “The Flower” is not out of the question. 

Carter Hart – Philadelphia Flyers

Salary – $3.979 million

Status – Restricted Free Agent in 2024

Hart would be extremely costly since he is having an excellent season for the surprising Flyers (9-6-1, 2.42 GAA, .919 save %), but many believe that the bubble will burst on John Tortorella’s club in the second half, which will have GM Daniel Briere shopping some or all of his rentals and players with short term left. 

The Edmonton-area native is 25, is an RFA next summer and is one year away from unrestricted free agency, but for a club looking for a long-term solution between the pipes, he might be the best option.