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

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MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 23: Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Michael Hutchinson (30) waits for a faceoff during the Toronto Maple Leafs versus the Montreal Canadiens preseason game on September 23, 2019, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Michael Hutchinson (30) in warmups prior to Game 3 of the First round NHL Playoffs between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs on April 15, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.(Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Michael Hutchinson (29)

Career Statistics (via Hockey Reference)

111 Games Played
95 Games Started
46 Wins
2883 Shots Against
2617 Saves
.908 Save Percentage
.916 5v5 Save Percentage

Kicking off this list is the man who is the all-but confirmed backup, Michael Hutchinson. As evident by the stats above, the Barrie native has had a rather mediocre NHL career, what is not evident is Hutchinson’s decline over his six NHL seasons.

Hutchinson’s first full NHL season came in 2014-15, when he started 36 games and posted a .914 SV% as a 24 year-old. After being a big reason as to why the Jets made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, Hutchinson struggled immensely, posting a .907 SV% in 30 games in 2015-16. The 2016-17 season wasn’t much better for ‘Hutch’, as he averaged a .903 SV% in 28 games.

Since then, Hutchinson has been relegated to the AHL for the most part, appearing in 12 NHL games over the past two seasons, three for the jets (.907 SV%), four for the Panthers (.839 SV%), and five for the Toronto Maple Leafs (.914 SV%).

So really, Hutchinson hasn’t been a full time NHL goaltender for two years, and it’s been a solid four years since he’s been a good one.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Hutchinson, but he simply is not a great option based on all of his previous NHL statistics.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Steve Mason #35 of the Winnipeg Jets defends the net during a game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on November 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 11: Kari Lehtonen #32 of the Dallas Stars defends the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on March 11, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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.

RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 12: James Reimer of the Carolina Hurricanes poses for his official head shot of the 2019-2020 season in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 12, 2019 at American Institute of Health Care and Fitness.”n(Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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.

TAMPA, FL – MARCH 09: Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Louis Domingue (70) tracks the puck during the second period of an NHL game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 09, 2019 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 20: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Oscar Dansk (35) makes a save during a preseason NHL game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings on September 20, 2018 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joshua Lavallee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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.

DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 28: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry (35) watches the play during a regular season game between the Colorado Avalanche and the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on November 28, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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?

Next. Expectations and Forecasts for the Leafs Upcoming Season. dark

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.

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