Toronto Maple Leafs: State of the Crease Part 3, Trade Bait
By Marcel Dumas
In Part 1 of Toronto Maple Leafs: State of the Crease, we covered the current NHL options in net. We then reviewed the options in the pipeline along with a few names in the upcoming draft to keep an eye on. In the final edition we will look at goaltenders the Maple Leafs can potentially target in trade to bolster their depth.
For the sake of argument, the cutoff for trade options was age 24. This is to go along with the assumption that the Maple Leafs will be contending in three to four years and any goalie acquired would need to be in or approaching their prime.
Also, only teams with legitimate playoff hopes were considered as potential trade partners. This is taking into consideration the amount of potential trade bait on short term contracts Toronto has that could be moved at this trade deadline.
Malcolm Subban is a name that comes up as a possible option to trade for as the Boston Bruins’ prospect is highly regarded, but has Tukka Rask blocking his path.
While it would be easy to make a case for making a move to obtain Subban’s services, there is another goalie that may be worth acquiring from Boston instead. Zane McIntyre is another goalie with potential who is stuck in the Bruins’ system. His cost would be much cheaper than a swap including Subban, and while his ceiling is not as high, he still projects to be an NHL level goalie.
McIntyre currently plies his trade in the AHL with the Providence Bruins. His save percentage is currently sub 0.9, but McIntyre held a consistent 0.920s save percentage during his three years at the University of North Dakota (stats per HockeyDB.com)
McIntyre has good puck handling skills and plays a hybrid style. He has good instincts and works hard. He needs to continue to work on controlling rebounds as well as continuing to adjust to pro level shooters.
Obtaining McIntyre should be relatively low cost. He can most likely be had as a secondary part of a deal where Toronto is sending a player like Matthias or Boyes for a 3rd or 4th round pick and McIntyre.
Keeping with an east coast flavor, the Toronto Maple Leafs could set their sights on a number of New York Ranger prospects. Igor Shesterkin, Brandon Halverson and Magnus Hellberg all have qualities that make them worth taking a closer look at.
Shesterkin is generally more highly regarded than the other two, but with him currently playing in the KHL, Toronto may be wary of obtaining him. Of the three listed, Halverson may be the one to target.
Halverson has put together a solid resume in his time at Sault St. Marie in the OHL. He was a member of team USA at the World Juniors in Finland where he won his only start against Denmark.
Halverson is a tall goalie at 6-4. Despite his height, he has good lateral movement. Like any young netminder, he needs to continue to improve his positional awareness and his rebound control.
With the skill set he possesses, Halverson projects as a topflight goalie. Despite that potential, he may not be as costly to obtain due to the Rangers depth at the position and their need for reinforcements.
With New York need for a top six winger, Halverson could come back in a package for someone like Komarov. The starting point may be a second rounder and Halverson for Leo.
Heading back to dance with a familiar partner in the Penguins could also net a future number one in the form of Tristan Jarry. With Matt Murray having shown in a brief stint with the Penguins that he is ready to make a move to the NHL as Marc-Andre Fleury’s understudy, Jarry is left waiting in line.
The Penguins have few draft picks, and even less in the amount of prospects to give up in an attempt to improve their squad for a playoff push. This is where Jarry, a 2013 second round pick could come into play.
Jarry minded the crease in the WHL for the Edmonton Oil Kings before transitioning to Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. He has been in great form this season posting 8 wins against a single loss, with a 0.940 save percentage and a 1.50 GAA. Listed at 6-2, the soon to be 21 year old has good size and excellent athletic ability. (stats per HockeyDB.com)
His build and play is comparable to Fleury. He has excellent reflexes and can use his athletic ability to make saves he has no business making. This is also where his improvements need to come. Being more consistent in his positioning will help maximize his talents.
Jarry still requires some seasoning in the AHL to iron out his game, but with the Leafs not looking to be serious contenders anytime soon, time is on their side as Jarry projects as an NHL starter. Like the situation in New York, the Penguins depth in net could create the opportunity to obtain him for lower cost.
Jarry could possibly be had in a package for some help on the wing as the Penguins need to find some secondary scoring that can shoot at a decent percentage. PA Parenteau could be a potential trade bait for Jarry if he continues to produce at his current pace. Like most trades, there would probably have to be some other pieces involved like a late round pick sweetener, but with the Penguins needing help now anything is possible.
There are several other goalies Toronto could look to get their hands on at the deadline. Colorado’s Spencer Martin, the Blues Ville Husso and a host of other young netminders could find their way to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization as part of a deadline deal.
Next: Toronto Maple Leafs Shutout Anaheim Ducks as Bernier Shines
The fact is Toronto has done a good job of stocking their talent pipeline with forwards and a few defensemen, but lack depth in the net. Acquiring any of the previously mentioned players would help fill that void and raise the chances that the Leafs could solve their long standing goaltending issues.