Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 UFA Goalies to Replace Freddie Andersen

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FL – MAY 10: Chris Driedger #60 of the Florida Panthers defends the net against the Tampa Bay Lightning  (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Chris Driedger

Driedger is the most interesting goaltender of these three and the most uncertain. It’s quite possible that he turns into a huge valued addition, or a bust if the Leafs signed him.

If you look through the 27-year-old’s hockeydb.com page, it’s quite extensive. Jumping from the ECHL, AHL and NHL, Dreidger is your typical hockey journeyman, as he looks to try to find a permeant home in the NHL.

After finding a secure spot with the Florida Panthers, he ended up getting stuck as the third-string goalie, thanks to Spencer Knight and Sergei Bobrovsky. With both of those goalies signed in Florida for a while, he’ll most likely be on the outside looking in, once again.

In his previous two seasons with the Panthers, here are his stats:

  • 2019-20 season:
    • 7-2-1 record
    • 2.05 GAA
    • .938 SV%
  • 2020-21 season:
    • 14-6-3 record
    • 2.07 GAA
    • .927 SV%

Although it’s limited action, those numbers are very impressive, so it’ll be interesting to see what type of contract teams offer him this offseason.

If Dreidger is looking for a starting job somewhere, Toronto unfortunately will not be able to provide him that, but they could give him a great opportunity, with an explosive team in front.

Next. 4 Players Leafs Could Lose in Expansion Draft. dark

Dreidger still hasn’t shown enough of sample size to be given a starter job, in my opinion, so being that 1B goalie in a tandem seems like a great next step for him, which is what Toronto can offer. If the price is right, Dreidger could be worth taking a risk on as the back-up to Campbell.

Home/Editorials