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Roster Changes Pay Off: The Toronto Maple Leafs Are Better in 2022

By Mike Jack

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 22: Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a second-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 22: Zach Hyman #18 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a second-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on October 22, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes . (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes . (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs 2020-21 Goaltenders

Jack Campbell
Freddie Andersen

Toronto Maple Leafs 2021-22 Goaltenders

Jack Campbell
Petr Mrazek

By the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline, Jack Campbell had solidified himself as the Toronto Maple Leafs starter.  Campbell captured the crease on merit and because of Andersen’s injury plagued season.  The main difference this season is really a swap of Freddie Anderson for Petr Mrazek.

For the Leafs last season, Andersen had a .895 save percentage and a 2.96 goals against average in 24 games.  So far this season, Mrazek has a .902 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average in seven games. Andersen and Mrazek both had injury issues during these seasons and Mrazek’s numbers are only slightly better.

Andersen has a .929 save percentage and a 2.01 goals against average with the Carolina Hurricane this season and Petr Mrazek had a .923 save percentage and 2.06 goals against average with the Hurricane last season.  Andersen is ahead there, but it’s still close.

The other difference between these two players is salary.  Freddie Andersen carries a $4.5 million cap hit and Petr Mrazek has a $3.8 million hit.

Yes, Andersen is having a great season in Carolina, but I think the Leafs did well to go with Campbell as a starter and take a cheaper alternative in Mrazek as a back-up/tandem partner.

Mrazek has been playing well since returning from injury, and I think we’ll get a better sense of what he has to offer as he gets more starts under his belt.

How about the Toronto Maple Leafs defense?

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