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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Five Thought Weekly Roundup

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Chris Driedger #60 of the Florida Panthers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the BB&T Center on February 13, 2021 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Chris Driedger #60 of the Florida Panthers skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the BB&T Center on February 13, 2021 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Thought #4: So, What Happens Next Season?

Looking at the goalie market for the 2021 offseason, a name I would keep in mind is Chris Driedger of the Florida Panthers.

Currently, the team has a steady tandem in net with Driedger backing up Sergei Bobrovsky. The organization committed $70 million for seven years to the two-time Vezina Trophy winner in the summer of 2019 and included in that massive contract was a no-move clause.

With the Seattle Expansion Draft coming up this offseason, the team will be forced to protect the Russian netminder due to his NMC (unless he chooses to waive) and leave Driedger exposed. The Kraken could elect to use their pick on Driedger, but in the situation where they do not, Driedger will surely command a hefty raise from the $850,000 he is earning this season as a UFA.

Can the team afford to invest even more into their already expensive crease?

https://twitter.com/Thats_Offside/status/1368377720128737285?s=20

For those unfamiliar, Jessop worked in the Panthers organization from 2016-17 to 2019-20, most recently as a scout. If anyone were to know Driedger’s potential, it would be him.

Since the start of last season, Driedger is sporting a 2.24 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage as well as the ninth-best goals-saved above expected. With Zach Hyman needing a new contract this offseason and Morgan Rielly the next, the simplest way to save would be in net.

If the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to get a 26-year-old goaltender signed at $3-4 million with the significant promise he has already shown, that would be some pretty tidy business from Kyle Dubas.

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