Trades, Waivers, and Rumours: Back-Up Goalie Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs

With the recent release of Michal Neuvirth, the Maple Leafs’ backup position goes to Michael Hutchinson, right?

Maybe not, as there are several free agent and trade options that may provide more confidence and experience in the backup position than the former Jets and Panthers net minder.

First, for context, Hutchinson is set to ‘replace’ long-time NHL goalie Michal Neuvirth.

Neuvirth, a veteran goaltender with an inconsistent and injury-riddled career, was brought in on a PTO essentially out of the kindness of the organization’s heart, as the Czech goalie gained access to Toronto’s renowned medical and coaching staff. I never really considered Neuvirth to be a true competitor for the backup role, especially after analyzing his struggles in Philadelphia last season.

Onto to candidates for the forever controversial back-up position, starting with Michael Hutchinson himself.

Steve Mason (31)

Career Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 476 Games Played
• 457 Games Started
• 205 Wins
• 13559 Shots Against
• 12348 Saves
• .911 Save Percentage
• .921 5v5 Save Percentage

Our first free-agent option is 31 year-old goaltender Steve Mason. The former NHL All-Star took the entire 2018-19 season off to rehab concussion and knee-issues that heavily affected his play in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.

These injuries limited Mason to just 13 games in the 2017-18 season, which lead to his trade and buy out during the 2018 off-season.

Seeing as Mason’s health and ability to play are in question, as well poor stats (.907 SV% since 2016-17), he simply makes this list as an (unlikely) honourable mention.

Kari Lehtonen (35)

Career Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 649 Games Played
• 512 Games Started
• 310 Wins
• 18920 Shots Against
• 17258 Saves
• .912 Save percentage
• .922 5v5 Save percentage

Lehtonen, much like Mason, took the 2018-19 season off. Lehtonen has lots of NHL experience, and most of it was actually good, but a hefty contract hurt his reputation as a solid goaltender.

The 2017-18 season, which was Lehtonen’s most recent, saw the Finnish netminder play in 37 games, posting a .912 SV% and one shutout.

Although he is one of the most decorated (600 GP & 300 W is nothing to scoff at) and experienced goalies on this list, Lehtonen is 35 and hasn’t played a game in over a calendar year, which means that he’s an honourable mention at best.

James Reimer (31)

Career Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 338 Games Played
• 306 Games Started
• 144 Wins
• 9850 Shots Against
• 8998 Saves
• .914 Save Percentage
• .923 5v5 Save Percentage

First up on our trade candidates list is former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer. Although the Manitoba native is known best for his time in the Blue & White, he last donned the Leafs crest in 2016, nearly four years ago. Reimer left Toronto in a trade to San Jose at the 2016 trade deadline, and signed a five-year contract with the Florida Panthers that summer.

In his three seasons outside of Toronto, all with the Panthers, Reimer has posted a .912 SV% and seven shutouts in 123 games. These solid stats (much like Hutchinson) are deceiving, as Reimer struggled mightily with Florida last year, recording an abysmal .900 SV% and 13 wins in 36 appearances.

This past summer, Reimer was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes, whom were believed to try to flip the 31 year old. Three months later, Reimer has participated in the Hurricanes training camp, and is set to start the season with Carolina.

So, a trade for Reimer seems unlikely, especially considering the Toronto Maple Leafs current cap situation would require salary retention on the Canes’ part.

Louis Domingue (27)

Career Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 122 Games Played
• 108 Games Started
• 55 Wins
• 3578 Shots Against
• 3245 Saves
• .907 Save Percentage
• .918 5v5 Save Percentage

Next up on the trade candidate list is Louis Domingue. The 27 year-old net minder passed through waivers earlier this week to much surprise.

The only real reason I could see for Domingue not being claimed was his cap hit, which is $1.150 million for this season, which is an enormous stretch in itself as that contract can be completely buried in the AHL.

The Quebec native posted a .908 SV% and 21 wins in 26 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season.

I would assume that Domingue could come fairly cheap, and with Tampa’s solid goaltending depth, I could only see Kaskisuo/a late pick being a fair return.

Oscar Dansk (25)

Career NHL statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 4 Games Palyed
• 3 Games Started
• 3 Wins
• 93 Shots Against
• 88 Saves
• .946 Save Percentage
• .961 5v5 Save Percentage

Dansk is probably the riskiest player on this list. The Swedish net minder was once a highly touted prospect, that currently sits ‘on the outside looking in’ as Vegas’ third goaltender.

At 25, Dansk is no longer a prospect, which may hurt his image as a possible ‘bust’, although I do not personally hold the same setiment. Dansk has really come into his own after returning to North America in 2017 following a two-year stint with Rogle of the SHL. In 60 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves over the past two seasons, Dansk has posted a .915 SV%, three shutouts, and 40 wins.

Where’s the risk, you ask, well…

Dansk is reminiscent of controversial goaltender Garrett Sparks, who left Toronto via trade in June, on a base level. Both were goalies on the cusp of making the NHL, both were highly touted and excellent goaltenders at the AHL level, but Dansk separates himself in one key area: play style. The Stockholm native is very poised and calm in net, and gives a very mature impression of an NHL goalie, whereas Sparks is a wild goaltender who appears very panicked and aggressive when palying.

So, my main concern with Dansk is really just a creation of scarring Leafs-paranoia, and not really a valid concern.

Much like Domingue, Dansk cleared waivers earlier this week, which surprised me. It would’ve been really nice if the Toronto Maple Leafs just claimed him, but they didn’t. The real positive out of this scenario would be the cost of acquiring Dansk, as Vegas cannot ask much more than a late round pick or former Chicago Wolves Goaltender  Kasimir Kaskisuo.

Tristan Jarry (24)

Career NHL Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

• 29 Games Played
• 26 Games Started
• 14 Wins
• 774 Shots Against
• 701 Saves
• .906 Save Percentage
• .907 5v5 Save Percentage

The final candidate on this list is another (formerly) highly-touted prospect Tristan Jarry.

The former second round pick is yet another goaltender on the outside looking in on an NHL opportunity. Although younger than Dansk, Jarry has been statistically worse in both the NHL and AHL over the past two seasons (.906 NHL for Jarry, .946 for Dansk-.908 AHL Jarry, .915 Dansk), and reminds me of a younger Michael Hutchinson.

So really, Jarry would just be a younger version of Hutchinson, so I guess he would be an upgrade?

Overall, Lehtonen, Reimer, and Dansk are the real targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs in my opinion, but Mason, Domingue, and Jarry are also fine options. All of which are (potential) upgrades on Hutchinson.