Anton Khudobin unlikely to return as Bruins backup goaltender

Anton Khudobin is likely heading elsewhere in free agency after two seasons and his second stint as the Bruins backup goaltender.

“Kept in contact with all of them,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Friday regarding the team’s unsigned free agents. “Looks like the [backup] goaltending [situation] is going in a different direction.”

At the end of the season, Khudobin expressed his interest in returning to Boston, but the two sides have not been able to work out a deal. According to a source, Khudobin has fielded interested from a handful of other teams this week and is exploring those options.

Sweeney did not provide an update on the team’s progress with free agent John Tavares, but did confirm that the team met with his representation in Los Angeles earlier this week.

“There will be ample opportunity to answer all those questions,” Sweeney said.

BSJ Analysis

Khudobin was 16-6-7 last season as Tuukka Rask’s backup and had a .913 save percentage – his best in the last four seasons.

He made $1.2 million last season and was likely seeking a raise after having one of the better seasons of his career.

After two seasons with the Bruins from 2011-13, Khudobin signed a deal with the Hurricanes to be a starter and was 27-31-7 in two years. He returned to the Bruins two years ago after a stint with the Ducks and gave the Bruins a steady option behind Rask.

Now the Bruins are moving on after indicating that Khudobin’s demands exceeded what they were willing to offer. Dan Vladar, who participated in development camp this week, will start the season in Providence after playing in the ECHL and will push Zane McIntyre for the starting job.

McIntyre has been unable to seize the Bruins backup job after three years in Providence which could prompt the Bruins to look elsewhere in the free agency market for a backup goalie.

Robin Lehner, Jonathan Bernier, and Michael Hutchinson are all viable options. The Sabres parted with Lehner after three seasons with the Sabres and struggled as a consistent starter. Bernier was 19-13-3 with the Avalanche last season, and the 29-year-old has bounced around to four different teams since he was drafted by the Kings.

Lehner is an expensive option after making $4 million last season. Hutchinson, who played just three games last season and has been with the Jets for five years, made $1.15 million last season.