He’s been good, not spectacular, in the playoffs since, and about league average in the regular season. That isn’t worth a record breaking contract, which always end up being mistakes, even in the best case scenarios.
I think the era of long term contracts with crazy AAV for goaltenders is over. GMs have learned their lesson. Bobrovski won a Cup with the Panthers, but that contract was still a mistake. Price is an all-time goalie in Habs history, had one of the best years for a goaltender in NHL history, won everything there is to win in hockey besides a Cup, and almost dragged a shit team to glory by himself in ‘21. That contract was still a mistake.
If I were the NYR GM, I’d offer 5 years @ $8.5M AAV, and if he doesn’t like it, tell him to kick rocks. That’s more than generous, imo. Same thing with the Bruins’ situation with Swayman.
I think it’s better to have a decent starter @ $5M-$6M or less on a shorter term deal (5 years or less) than paying for what is overwhelmingly likely to be past performance on a monster contract with crazy term and AAV.
VGK won with a cheaper goalie, COL won with a cheaper goalie, PIT back to back with a cheaper goalie, STL too, CHI won all their Cups with cheap goaltending. That’s the model to follow.