Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Goalies That Could Replace Andersen
By Joseph Zita
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Arizona Coyotes.. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
2. Darcy Kuemper – 30 years old
2019-20 stats – 29 GP – 16 W – 11 L – 2 OTL – 2.22 GAA – .928 SV%
Career stats – 215 GP – 96 W – 72 L – 29 OTL – 2.46 GAA – .918 SV%
At my number two spot on this list I have one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL and someone who is rumoured to potentially be moved, Darcy Kuemper.
The difference between Kuemper and Lehner is that Kuemper was going to become a free agent this off-season but he has a two year contract extension in place that sees him become a free agent in the 2022 off-season.
Elliotte Friedman on 31 Thoughts reports the Arizona Coyotes’ goal this off-season will be to cut costs and rebuild. Expect #Yotes to try and re-stock their lost draft capital. Darcy Kuemper will be a very attractive trade piece despite the crowded goalie market. (1/2) #HowlYeah
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 31, 2020
The extension is a two year $4.5M AVV cap hit which is really great for a goalie like Kuemper and if the Toronto Maple Leafs do move on from Frederik Andersen that would be a great price on a team with a tight cap situation. The Coyotes were recently punished severely by the NHL and lost several draft picks, so it is possible that they would move their goalie for some, if they are looking to rebuild.
If Kuemper ends up actually being available and Andersen is dealt, Kyle Dubas should try and make an offer for Kumper as his cap hit is lower than Andersen’s current cap hit and is arguably better the better goalie.
Kuemper’s numbers from the last couple of seasons have been amazing and if the Leafs improve their defense as well as add a guy like Kuemper they just got 100x better in my opinion. (Stats from NHL.com)