Reuniting with an Ex
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have the most goaltending depth they’ve ever had in franchise history. They have Andersen and Campbell with them at the NHL level and signed Dell to a contract as insurance in case any of the two primary goaltenders get injured. They also have Ian Scott and Joseph Woll developing in the minors with the purpose of potentially utilizing them in the future.
The Leafs weren’t done there though. They signed Michael Hutchinson who was with the team for 20 games (16 starts) over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. They gave him a two year deal for $1.45 million earning him $725,000 a year.
When Hutchinson was with the Leafs, he didn’t have a great tenure. He went 6-12-1 with a save percentage of .894 and a GAA of 3.38 which aren’t great numbers. He was eventually shipped to the Colorado Avalanche at the deadline for Calle Rosen.
Fans were surprised when the team brought Hutchinson back and were even more shocked when they gave him a two year deal but makes sense when you map it all out.
Andersen becomes a free agent at the conclusion of this season and so does Dell. That will leave the Leafs with Campbell and Hutchinson under contract in net for the 2021-22 season. Also, the Leafs will need to protect a goalie for the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken which they will for sure keep Campbell leaving Hutchinson exposed to be selected.