Toronto Maple Leafs: Potential Goalie Upgrades at Deadline

The Toronto Maple Leafs closed out their two-game set against the surging Oilers with a 3-2 overtime loss Monday night, and are probably content taking three of four points,  considering they had to use a goalie who was supposed to be their fourth-stringer this season.

With Frederik Andersen already on the shelf and Jack Campbell not at 100% , the Toronto Maple Leafs are in a somewhat vulnerable position as they head into the trade deadline with a first place finish on their mind and a heck of a lot left to prove in the post season.

A goaltending upgrade in some capacity is a must, especially if one (or both) of these guys’ health continues to be a concern.

Here are some reasonable options:

Linus Ullmark

Despite playing on a team that’s dropping more matches than a thumb-less pyromaniac, Ullmark has put up some pretty decent numbers in net for Buffalo. A few of the advanced stats (QS%, GA%) show mixed results but his save percentage (.916) has been pretty consistent in Buffalo (.912 career) even though he plays for, you know, Buffalo. His 2.6 million cap hit is a bit high but it’s manageable (particularly if Andersen remains injured or is moved) and he’s a UFA at year’s end.

If the return on Eric Staal is any indication, Ullmark shouldn’t cost all that much. (stats from naturalstattrick.com).

Jonathan Bernier

Bernier’s another goalie that has been consistently good in whatever role given to him. He’s sporting a .918 save percentage this year for a surprisingly-not-terrible Red Wings squad. Quality starts have been common place for him (75%, where 60% is considered ‘good’) and he’s only had two ‘really bad starts’ (starts with SV% below .850).

He comes with a slightly higher cap hit than Ullmark (3 million) and is also a UFA. It’s not a sexy name but he’d fit perfectly as a high end back-up or good spot starter.

Antti Raanta/Darcy Kuemper 

I am not entirely convinced that these are two different people. Both have gone through stretches as back-ups and starters; both have salary cap hits in the low-mid 4 millions; both have played four seasons in Arizona with identical .922 SV%’s and both absolutely cannot stay healthy for the life of them.

Each of these two probably has a higher ceiling than the preceding goalies on this list but they also come with higher risk and, if healthy, cost. Again, acquiring one of these two Coyotes would have to mean that Andersen is either out for the year or moved to a 3rd party.

Kuemper would have the higher price tag (he’s had more playoff experience and has another year left on his contract) but only one of him or Campbell can be protected at the upcoming expansion draft.

Toronto Maple Leafs Swing for the fences all-in option

Considering Toronto’s cap situation, it seems likely that if they do want to upgrade at the goaltending position then Frederik Andersen and his 5 million cap hit has to be moved. Accomplishing that feat will not only be daunting but it may also be counter productive if they end up picking up a goaltender that doesn’t offer much of an upgrade over a healthy Andersen and who also walks at the end of the year as a UFA. So bearing that in mind, maybe…. John Gibson ??

Granted Gibson hasn’t exactly torn up the NHL the last few seasons and his numbers are downright horrifying this year but he’s been playing on a pretty brutal Ducks team with barely any help and he’s only two years removed from a Vezina nominated season (10th).

He’s 27, signed until 2027(!) at 6.4 million per and would benefit greatly by playing on a strong team that can actually offer him a day’s rest.

Hard to say what the cost might be but this is the last year before Gibson’s no trade/no movement clause kicks in so this might be the perfect time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to (please pardon the pun in advance) take a quack at acquiring him.