As per Dan Kingserksi of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, whatever rumors fans have been hearing coming out of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization that they are looking for an experienced backup goalie this offseason are true. He reports that the team is looking to fortify the net should Tristan Jarry struggle in the regular season, and that the team wasn’t happy with the way Jarry performed in this year’s playoffs against the New York Islanders.
Related: Considering Maple Leafs’ Shopping List: Arizona’s Michael Bunting?
One of the solutions the Penguins are apparently looking at is Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kingerski writes, “A team source specifically mentioned his name as someone the Penguins are looking at as a veteran goalie who has performed well in the NHL postseason. He adds:
“Circle Andersen’s name as someone the Pittsburgh Penguins are already watching. The team could make a solid pitch pending the goalie market, which was a heavy buyer’s market last fall and figures to be again with the flat salary cap.”
Andersen’s five-year $25 million contract expires this summer, and he will be a UFA. The consensus seems to be that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be letting him walk, focusing instead on other free agents and limited cap space.
Andersen’s Playoff Numbers
While a number of fans might argue Andersen has not been a great goaltender in the playoffs thanks to a pair of opening-round losses, Kingerski points out that the Leafs lost again in seven games this season and it was Jack Campbell in net and the loss perhaps speaks more about the team than it does Andersen’s play.
Citing the netminder’s stats in a couple of playoff series, he notes that in the Toronto “bubble” Qualifying Round against Columbus, Andersen posted a .936 save percentage, though lost in the pivotal Game 5. And, in Toronto’s heartbreaking seven-game Round One loss to the Bruins in 2018-19, Andersen posted a .922 save percentage. These are the numbers the Penguins are keying in on and believe he’s better than fans have given him credit for.
Next: “Something Is Going On” When It Comes to Tuukka Rask and the Bruins
Pingback: More Talk of Leafs' Frederik Andersen to the Penguins This Offseason
Pingback: More Talk of Leafs' Frederik Andersen to the Penguins This Offseason » 观看直播