Toronto Maple Leafs: Taking A Look At Eamon McAdam

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 2: Eamon McAdam #34 of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers prepares for a shot against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on March 2, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 2: Eamon McAdam #34 of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers prepares for a shot against the Toronto Marlies during AHL game action on March 2, 2017 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)

Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender, Eamon McAdam from the New York Islanders.

The Toronto Maple Leafs received McAdam in exchange for Matt Martin. Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs front office were looking to unload some salary and they found a new home for Martin in the Empire State. Our old friend, Lou Lamoriello was interested in bringing Martin back to where his NHL career began.

The return for Toronto Maple Leafs isn’t a game changer. It wasn’t expected that the Maple Leafs would get a sizable return. Dubas wasn’t looking for a return to tell his mother about. He was looking to unload salary, so that he could afford to re-sign William Nylander.

McAdam, a native of Perkasie, Pennsylvania was selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Islanders. After being drafted by the Islanders, he attended Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania. He played for the Penn State Nittany Lions for three seasons. In his three years at Penn State, he failed to put up solid numbers in net.

McAdam joined the Islanders organization in the 2015-16 regular season. Since joining the organization, he hasn’t been able improve and become a solid goalie. In fact, last season, the Islanders were clearly frustrated in his development and demoted him. He played in 9 games for their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. After 9 games, he owned a 2.77 GAA and a 0.903 SV%. It was time for the 23 year old to move down to the ECHL to see if the Worcester Railers could get him back on track.

Unfortunately, the Railers coaching staff wasn’t able to get him back on track. In 29 games played, he owned a 2.84 GAA and a 0.910 SV%. All-in-all, his time in Metro West Massachusetts didn’t get him back on track.

Where Does He Fit In the Leafs Organization?

Hopefully, a stint with the newest ECHL team, the Newfoundland Growlers will get him back on track.

He’ll likely end up with the Growlers unless both Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard are dealt prior to the regular season. I truly doubt that both Sparks and Pickard will be dealt. In addition, the Maple Leafs have another prospect who will likely play for the Toronto Marlies in Kasimir Kaskisuo. With the amount of goaltenders in the system, it just doesn’t make much sense for McAdam to be on the Marlies squad.

Hopefully Ryan Clowe, the head coach of the Growlers and his coaching staff can revive McAdam’s career. At the end of the day, the expectations should be low for McAdam, but he does have the potential to shine and become a decent goaltender. Leafs Nation shouldn’t expect miracles, but the Maple Leafs have been notorious for their development and could potentially revive McAdam’s career.

Next: Four Off-Season Targets for the Leafs

Additionally, if McAdam doesn’t pan out, it’s not a huge loss. Yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs gave up an NHL proven player, but Martin wasn’t instrumental in the team’s success. While it is a challenge, perhaps McAdam will surprise Leafs fans and put up strong numbers in the ECHL. Time will tell.

stats from hockeydb.com