The Next Michael Bunting: Group 6 UFA’s for the Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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Winnipeg Jets, Eric Comrie
Apr 19, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) makes a save on a shot from New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Comrie – Goalie

NHL Totals
28 Games
3.06 GAA
.905 SV%

Eric Comrie came alive last season with a .920 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average in 19 NHL games.  He had the fifth best save percentage of any NHL goalie to play at least 10 games last season.

There are a few great eligible UFA goaltenders that could be available including Darcy Keumper, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jack Campbell and Ville Husso, but Comrie could be the cheap steal of this year’s NHL free agency. He’s moved around a lot in the NHL and hadn’t been given much of a chance until this season.

He reminds me of Anton Forsberg a little bit.  They were both third string goalies that kept getting claimed off waivers when the goalies ahead of them in the depth chart return from injury.  Forsberg seems to have found a home in Ottawa and Comrie may have proved himself in Winnipeg.

The Leafs seem to have lost faith in Petr Mrazek, and if they can’t resign Jack Campbell, they may be looking for some new faces in net.  Comrie is a guy that deserves a chance in a tandem, and Toronto may be able to facilitate that if either Campbell and/or Mrazek do not return next season.

Really, it doesn’t happen every season where a top line player can be signed to a $950k AAV deal.  Michael Bunting’s are not a dime-a-dozen.  It would be amazing if the Leafs could hit another free agent signing out of the ball park the way they did with Bunting, but it’s not something we should expect every year.  I wish them the best of luck though.