Toronto Maple Leafs Must Replace Goaltender Petr Mrazek

If Thursday’s game is an indication of what the next two weeks is going to be like without Jack Campbell, then the Toronto Maple Leafs need to trade Petr Mrazek.

Mrazek allowed four goals on 12 shots during the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-4 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.

It was by far his worst outing of the season. Mrazek is supposed to be the guy the Leafs rely on for the next two weeks? I don’t see that happening.

Despite what the players or coaching staff say about Mrazek to the media, it is clear that they don’t have faith in him. In 16 games, Mrazek has a 10-5-0 record with a poor .884 SV% and 3.43 GAA. Both of those stats are a career-worst for the 10-year veteran.

Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is not getting what he paid for when he signed Mrazek in the off-season. There is no way Toronto can afford to keep Mrazek and his $3.8 million salary-cap hit for another two seasons. Dubas must find a way to trade Mrazek and find a more capable goaltender to be the team’s starter while Campbell recovers from a rib injury.

Unless something happens between now and Sunday, Mrazek is the Toronto Maple Leafs starting goaltender for the Heritage Classic against the Buffalo Sabres. There are only ten days until the NHL trade deadline, so Dubas will have to act fast.

Goaltenders for the Toronto Maple Leafs to Target at Trade Deadline

There are numerous NHL teams shopping goaltenders ahead of the March 21st NHL trade deadline. Toronto should be scouting every one of them with the hope of finding the right guy to fill the team’s need in net.

Here are some possible goaltender options the Maple Leafs might consider. Some could be viewed for a strictly backup role once Campbell returns, and others might be perfect to work in tandem with Campbell.

Braden Holtby – DAL

Braden Holtby is having a mediocre season with a 10-10-1 record in 24 games, but his .913 SV% and 2.78 GAA are better than Mrazek’s. Finding someone better than Mrazek is the goal, and Toronto could get Holtby without needing to give up too much.

Eric Comrie – WPG

Eric Comrie is having a good season as the backup to Connor Hellebuyck. He has a 7-2-1 in 11 games with a .920 SV% and 2.34 GAA. 2021-22 is the 26-year-old’s first full season in the NHL, but he has played a total of 20 NHL games over six seasons. Comrie is a pending RFA, which means Toronto will control his contract.

Anthony Stolarz – ANA

Anthony Stolarz has played in 20 games this season and has a record of 9-6-1 with two shutouts. He also has a nice .915 SV% and 2.77 GAA. Stolarz is under contract until the end of next season before becoming a UFA. He has a low salary cap hit of $950,000, which would benefit Toronto greatly.

Anton Forsberg – OTT

Anton Forsberg is another cheap option for the Toronto Maple Leafs to explore. Forsberg is making $900,000 this season and will be a UFA in the summer. He has a 13-10-2 record in 28 games played this season. The seven-year veteran is currently sporting a .921 SV% and a 2.70 GAA.

I think the Toronto Maple Leafs need to rid themselves of Petr Mrazek and his $3.8 million cap hit. If they can do that and replace him with a better goaltender that has a lower cap hit, they will have more flexibility at the trade deadline. The extra cap space could help Kyle Dubas upgrade his defense as well. Both areas need improvement before the deadline if Toronto wants to have a real shot at a deep playoff run.