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Top Five Goalies That the Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade For

By Jarrett Noakes

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Toronto Maple Leafs logo pictured at centre ice at the Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 12: Toronto Maple Leafs logo pictured at centre ice at the Scotiabank Arena on January 12, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 23: Goaltender Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is seen during warm up prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 23: Goaltender Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is seen during warm up prior to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field on February 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

3. Casey De Smith

Casey De Smith is the unfortunate victim of a goalie conundrum in Pittsbubrgh. The Penguins currently have three NHL-calibre goalies in Matt Murray, Tristan Jarry and Casey De Smith.

Murray has two Stanley cups under his belt in his five-year career and Jarry currently ranks second in the NHL in GAA, SV% and shutouts. Understandably, De Smith has been ousted to the AHL despite posting a .917 career SV% in 50 NHL games over the past three seasons.

De Smith is another “buy-low” candidate, as he has not played in the NHL this season, which reduces his trade value. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has also been clear that the Penguins are willing to listen to trade offers for De Smith.

De Smith’s contract holds a cap hit of $1.25M through 2021-22, which represents a possible long-term solution to the Leafs goaltending situation. The cautionary tale in all of this is that De Smith surprisingly cleared waivers at the beginning of the season.

Not jumping at the chance to claim De Smith for free was a mistake that the Leafs may have to pay a premium for at this point in the season.

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