Rumor: Pittsburgh Penguins Eyeing Free-Agent Goaltender

According to Dan Kingserksi of Pittsburgh Hockey Now, the Pittsburgh Penguins recent rumors are true and the team is looking to acquire a veteran netminder to pair with Tristan Jarry. Frederik Andersen of the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be the Penguins #1 target this offseason and is likely to receive a contract offer from the team.

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. However, Andersen has been very good in the playoffs. In the Toronto “bubble” Qualifying Round against Columbus, Andersen posted a .936 save percentage, though lost in the pivotal Game 5. In Toronto’s heartbreaking seven-game Round One loss to the fearsome Boston Bruins in 2018-19, Andersen posted a .922 save percentage and was a big reason Toronto pushed the series to seven games.

Andersen lost his starting job in Toronto after a leg injury kept him out of the lineup for an extended period of time and backup Jack Campbell set the house on fire with his performance in his place. While Andersen hasn't done much in the playoffs, he's a proven #1 netminder who can help push Jarry for the crease. The Penguins goaltender was awful at times against the New York Islanders in the first round and Ron Hextall and Brian Burke want a better option than veteran AHLer Casey DeSmith heading into next season.

The 31-year-old Andersen is open to a return in Toronto but could price himself out of their pocket book. With a flat salary cap this summer teams are going to need to be creative with the finances and the Maple Leafs and Penguins are two teams with little money to spend but both wanting Andersen on their roster.

This is going to be an interesting summer for the Danish Andersen, who could be receiving contract offers from a number of teams, including the Penguins. That's if Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas doesn't sign him to a contract extension before then.

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