5. Darcy Kuemper
Team: Minnesota Wild Age: 26 Status: RFA
2015-2016 stats: GP: 21 W: 6 L: 7 OT: 5 SO: 2 GAA: 2.43 SV%: .915
Avalanche fans will remember Kuemper for seizing the net during the 2013-2014 playoffs, and leading the Wild over the Avs in the opening round. Now, that net belongs to Devan Dubnyk, with Keumper having been relegated to firm backup status.
That being said, Kuemper’s numbers have remained strong. He deserves, if not a shot at a starting role, at least a timeshare situation. Will he get it? Maybe, maybe not. If he expresses enough unhappiness, it’s possible he forces his way out of Minnesota.
Again, him being a restricted free agent limits Kuemper’s ability to cash in — also limiting his market. That being said, he could take less money for a shot at more ice time; and teams might not balk at surrendering a second-round pick to sign him to an offer sheet.
Estimated cost: $2.5-3.5 million per season.
