NHL Free Agency 2022: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Jack Campbell, Top Goaltenders

The NHL goaltender carousel has been spinning at a fast rate in recent days. And with free agency set to begin Wednesday at noon ET, don't expect things to slow down quite yet, especially with several teams still in pursuit of starting netminders.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired Alexandar Georgiev to become their starting goaltender in a trade with the New York Rangers. Vitek Vanecek was dealt from the Washington Capitals to the New Jersey Devils. The Ottawa Senators sent Matt Murray to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Then on Tuesday, the Senators made a goaltender swap. They acquired Cam Talbot from the Minnesota Wild, who received Filip Gustavsson in the deal.

There aren't a ton of top-tier goaltenders hitting the free-agent market, but there will be some solid options available. That's a good thing for several teams that still need to get stronger in net this offseason.

Here's a look at several of the top goaltenders who are set to become free agents, along with predictions for where each will land.

Jack Campbell

Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs plays the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

With the Maple Leafs trading for Murray, it appears that Jack Campbell's time in Toronto may be over. After spending the past two-and-a-half seasons with the Leafs, the 30-year-old goaltender is hitting the free-agent market, and he may be in line for a sizable payday.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, there's "strong belief and speculation" that Campbell is going to sign with the Edmonton Oilers on a five-year deal worth about $5 million per season. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski had noted there's "little reason to believe" Campbell won't get a contract worth roughly $5 million in average annual value while linking the goaltender to Edmonton and the Washington Capitals.

Campbell would be a strong fit with the Oilers, who have an uncertain situation in net with 40-year-old Mike Smith. Campbell should provide strong play at the position after he recorded a 2.64 goals against average and a .914 save percentage in a career-high 49 games for the Maple Leafs last season.

It's possible a team such as Washington (or another with a need at goaltender) could ink Campbell to a deal. But the prediction here is he'll go to Edmonton, remaining in Canada and giving the Oilers a needed boost at the position.

Prediction: Campbell signs with Oilers

Darcy Kuemper

Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Goaltender Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche looks at the puck behind his net during the second period of Game Six of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

In his first season with the Avalanche, Darcy Kuemper helped the franchise end a 21-year Stanley Cup drought. It was an impressive showing by Colorado, and Kuemper provided stable play in the net for the majority of the 2021-22 campaign.

However, that was likely Kuemper's only season with the Avs, who traded for Georgiev in a deal with the Rangers. Georgiev and Pavel Francouz give Colorado a strong goaltending duo, so it wouldn't be wise for the team to also bring back Kuemper, an unrestricted free agent.

But there's an apparent clear top suitor for Kuemper already: the Capitals. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun recently tweeted that he believes Washington is the front-runner to sign the 32-year-old. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman expressed a similar sentiment recently on his 32 Thoughts podcast, noting that the Caps are "favorites" to sign Kuemper.

Washington needs goaltending help after trading Vanecek and opting to not give a qualifying offer to Ilya Samsonov, who will become a UFA. Both those youngsters struggled this past season, and Kuemper would give the Capitals the veteran presence they need in net to remain a contender while they have such a strong offense.

It makes a ton of sense for Kuemper to go to Washington.

Prediction: Kuemper signs with Capitals

Ilya Samsonov

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

SUNRISE, FL - MAY 11: Goaltender Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals warms up against the Florida Panthers prior to Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on May 11, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Not only is Samsonov now going to be an unrestricted free agent, but it appears the Capitals aren't going to try to retain the 25-year-old. Head coach Peter Laviolette said in an interview with NBC Sports that the team is "moving in a different direction."

The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir reported that the Capitals didn't give Samsonov a qualifying offer because they thought his projected salary of about $3-3.5 million was "too much for a backup and not justified based on his performance to date." In 44 games last season, Samsonov had a 3.02 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage.

Still, Samsonov is young and has only 89 games of NHL experience over three seasons. He flashed his potential at times early in his career, so there could be a few teams willing to take a chance on him this summer.

Perhaps he could even end up in Toronto. Even though the Maple Leafs traded for Murray, they still have $6.37 million in available cap space (per CapFriendly) and could add one more goaltender at the right price. With Samsonov's stock a bit low at the moment, he could be a low-risk, high-reward signing for Toronto.

Prediction: Samsonov signs with Maple Leafs