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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Goalies That Should Replace Freddie Andersen

By Stephen Nixon

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 20: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save during the third period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 20, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Toronto 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 20: Joonas Korpisalo #70 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save during the third period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 20, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Toronto 4-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 31: Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets  . (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Elvis Merzlikins

When the Leafs made a goaltender trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets last Friday, many hoped that it would be one of their more well-known players, instead of Veini Vehvilainen.

Vehvilainen helps the depth of the organization but Merzlinkins could be a 1A or 1B goalie with Campbell.

The 26-year-old netminder has seen limited action in the NHL. After playing in the Swiss-A league for years, he was finally able to make his NHL debut during the 2019-20 season and didn’t disappoint. His stats have declined this year, but locked up at $4M for the next campaign could be worth trading for.

Andersen will most likely ask for a $6M deal next year, so would you rather have him and Campbell for $7.8M or Merzlinkins and Campbell for $5.8M? Probably the latter, just based on the sad history and upside for both goalies.

Columbus is in shambles right now. John Tortorella is probably going to get fired and the team is going to have to move in the direction of a rebuild. As a result, they are probably go to trade as many assets as they have to start that process. With two potential No. 1 goaltenders, one of  Merzlinkins or Joonas Korpisalo will probably get traded.

Both goaltenders have the potential to shine in a better organization and a trade to Toronto could get them back to their old selves.

Speaking of Korpisalo….

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