San Jose Sharks: 3 free agent goalies to target in the offseason

1. Robin Lehner

At 28-years-old, Robin Lehner is the youngest and top starting goalie to potentially hit free agency this upcoming offseason.

After having a down season with the Buffalo Sabres and coming out publicly about his mental health and alcohol issues, Lehner took a one-year deal worth just $1.5 million with the New York Islanders.

He would have a career year with the Isles, finishing the season with a .930 SV%, 2.13 GAA, .605 QS%, and a career-high six shutouts in 46 games.

Lehner helped a team that allowed the most goals the season before, become the team that allowed the least goals and win the Jennings Trophy.

Lehner would also win the Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHL player that best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey, and finished third in Vezina voting.

Even after such a stellar season, teams still didn’t have much faith in Lehner as he accepted another one-year deal worth $5 million with the Chicago Blackhawks.

With the ‘Hawks, Lehner sported .918 SV%, 3.01 GAA, and .548 QS% in the 33 games he played in until he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline.

So far with Vegas, Lehner has played in two games. In those two games, Lehner has a .967 SV%, 1.00 GAA, 1.000 QS%, and a shutout.

Between both teams this season, Lehner has a .921 SV%, 2.89 GAA, .576 QS%, and a shutout in 35 games.

Coming off a second consecutive great year, Lehner will be demanding a multi-year deal (probably four to five years) with an AAV between $6 million to $8 million. Again, this signing would require the Sharks to make some moves to relieve some of their cap hit.

Lehner may be the most difficult goalie to sign because of the number of teams that will be interested in him and his demands, but he is the best option in free agency.