#2. Jacob Markstrom
Current Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Markstrom is the ideal goalie for the Leafs to pursue. And, if it actually happened, Vancouver fans would hate Toronto even more than they currently do.
At 6-foot-6, his size gives him a huge advantage and he’s proved that he can handle a number-one goaltender workload over the past few years. Even on a rebuilding team in Vancouver, Markstrom has been a very bright spot and he’s one of the reasons why the team had so much success making the playoffs this year.
Although it seemed like a lock that Markstrom would re-sign in Vancouver, the unbelievable play of Thatcher Demko may have changed their mind. After Markstrom was unfit to play, Demko made 128 saves on 130 shots in four appearance and almost single-handily helped the Canucks advance to the Western Conference Finals.
It was a brilliant performance by Demko, but the Vegas Golden Knights were too superior for Vancouver and narrowly defeated them in Game 7. With Demko signed to a $1M contract next season, the Canucks could look to ride him and use their cap-space to upgrade their team elsewhere, leaving Markstrom as a free agent.
Like many of the goalies on this list, Markstrom has similar numbers to Andersen, but he has great potential to improve. The price-tag may be high with a bidding war during free agency, but the Leafs should seriously consider signing Markstrom.