Story Summary
With big-money signings behind them, NHL clubs are quietly filling out rosters and evaluating low-cost options in goal. The remaining unrestricted free agents among goaltenders are a small, experienced group: Connor Ingram (29), Cam Talbot (39), Petr Mrázek (34), Matt Murray (32) and James Reimer (38). Their profiles vary widely – Ingram is a younger option who still hopes for a starting role, Talbot is a veteran short-term stopgap, Mrázek carries a recent injury history and surgery, Murray brings Stanley Cup experience but chronic fragility, and Reimer has shown he can still perform as a reliable backup. Some teams may sign a goalie to a camp tryout or a short-term depth deal; Florida has been identified as a possible landing spot for Mrázek as a third-choice behind Jacob Markström and Akira Schmid.
Key Facts
- Connor Ingram, 29, played 32 games for the Edmonton Oilers in 2025/26 with a.899 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average, winning 16 games.
- Cam Talbot, 39, appeared in 34 games for the Detroit Red Wings in 2025/26, posting an.883 save percentage, a 3.19 goals-against average and 12 wins; he has 587 NHL appearances and 36 playoff games in his career.
- Petr Mrázek, 34, was with the Anaheim Ducks in 2025/26, making 10 appearances with an.858 save percentage and a 4.07 goals-against average; he underwent hip surgery in February and has played just 15 games across the past two seasons.
- Matt Murray, 32, played five games for the Seattle Kraken in 2025/26 with a.922 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average; he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion but has been limited by injuries and served mainly as a third goalie.
- James Reimer, 38, played 14 games for the Ottawa Senators in 2025/26, recording an.886 save percentage, a 2.42 goals-against average and seven wins, and helped Ottawa reach the playoffs.
- The available group represents a mix of in-season workload, experience and health concerns rather than a deep pool of younger prospects.
- Florida has no obvious AHL candidate ready to replace an NHL backup, leaving room for an unsigned veteran to serve as a third goalie with NHL and playoff experience.
- Some of the listed goalies could pursue camp tryouts if they do not sign a guaranteed NHL deal.
IHM Discussion
After the high-spend headline moves of free agency, the goalie market has settled into small, pragmatic decisions. Teams looking for a reliable veteran to back up a starter or to sit as an emergency option through the season will find candidates in this group, but each comes with caveats.
Connor Ingram is the youngest and most recent starter among them. His 32-game run in Edmonton ended with acceptable numbers under difficult defensive circumstances. That experience – and his age – leave him unlikely to accept a third-spot role without long-term upside or a clear path to more starts. Clubs that lost a goaltender to injury or who want a second with upside could still show interest, but Ingram may prefer a camp invite or a situation with a clearer chance to start.
Cam Talbot’s value is obvious: he is a veteran who has adapted to many teams and systems across a long career. His 587 NHL games and eight-team résumé make him a trustworthy short-term fix. Yet last season was the worst of his career statistically. Teams weighing him will balance the steadiness of experience against signs of decline, and Talbot projects as a temporary insurance policy rather than a long-term solution.
Petr Mrázek’s career arc has swung from promising to intermittent due to repeated health setbacks. His recent hip surgery and only 15 appearances across two seasons raise significant availability questions. He could fit a team that urgently needs an experienced third goalie – the Panthers’ reported depth chart behind Jacob Markström and Akira Schmid is one named possibility – but any signing would carry the risk of recurrence.
Matt Murray remains the most headline-grabbing name given two Stanley Cups early in his career and strong recent numbers when he has played. In limited ice time last season he posted the best numbers of the unsigned group, and his AHL form the year before was impressive. Still, chronic injuries have prevented Murray from sustaining a regular NHL workload, so his value is as a high-upside depth option for clubs willing to gamble on health.
James Reimer proved last season that he can still deliver as a competent backup inside a team structure. His work in Ottawa demonstrated that, given a stable defence, he can post respectable numbers and help a club reach the playoffs. For teams seeking a dependable veteran with recent proven form, Reimer is a straightforward choice.
Overall, clubs will decide whether they prefer low-risk veterans for short deals, camp tryouts that could lead to low-cost depth signings, or to promote from AHL depth. Injuries remain a wildcard – a reminder that a single roster blowout can quickly change the market, as the example of Elvis Merzlikins in Columbus shows.
Why It Matters
Goaltending depth matters every season. With teams already having committed large sums earlier in free agency, the remaining options are cheap, experienced fixes rather than long-term answers. How teams fill that depth will affect regular-season resilience and the pool of goalies available if injuries strike.
Mini Q&A
Who are the main unsigned goaltenders still available?
Connor Ingram, Cam Talbot, Petr Mrázek, Matt Murray and James Reimer.
Which goalie from the list is the youngest and most likely to still seek a starting role?
Connor Ingram is the youngest at 29 and has recent starting experience that suggests he will look for more than a third-spot role.
Which goalie brings Stanley Cup experience but is medically fragile?
Matt Murray is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with strong recent numbers in limited action, but his career has been hampered by recurring injuries.
Is Petr Mrázek considered a reliable option right now?
Mrázek offers experience but is coming off hip surgery and has played only 15 games across the last two seasons, so his availability and durability are significant concerns.
What type of deals are teams most likely to offer these goalies?
Teams are most likely to offer short-term depth contracts or camp tryouts rather than long-term guarantees, given the mix of form and injury history among the group.
Coach Mark Comment
General managers must weigh immediate reliability against durability. A veteran like Talbot or Reimer buys a team stability for the short term; Ingram and Murray offer upside but carry questions about fit and health; Mrázek’s signing would be a bet on recovery. For most clubs, a veteran insurance signing or a camp tryout is the rational move rather than a multi-year commitment.
What Comes Next
Expect training camps and camp tryouts this pre-season to be the next checkpoints for these goalies; teams in need of a third netminder may sign a veteran or invite one to camp, while injuries during the season could reopen the market.
IHM Final View
This group of free-agent goalies offers functional solutions rather than headline-making upgrades. Teams prioritising short-term security will favour proven backups; those chasing upside or playoff experience may gamble on Murray or Mrázek, accepting the accompanying health risk.