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Kyle Dubas Must Solve Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending Dilemma

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 13: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a water break against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 13: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes a water break against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Trading for a Goalie

Trading for a goaltender might be Toronto’s best option since free-agency almost always demands that you overpay. Trading for a goaltender offers plenty of options, but it all comes down to asking price. What is Toronto willing to give up for their next number one goaltender? Will they be looking for a veteran goaltender or someone a bit younger?

The Leafs have not been inclined to spend a lot of assets on goalies in the past, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Will Toronto be looking for a long-term or short-term solution for their number one goaltender? It is something that Dubas and his staff must consider. Here are some options Toronto could consider if they lose both Campbell and Mrazek.

Anton Forsberg

Anton Forsberg is 29-years-old and is currently playing for the Ottawa Senators. He has three years left on his contract with a cap hit of $2.75 million a season. Last season Forsberg posted a record of 22-17-4 with one shutout in 46 games. Forsberg finished the season with a .917 SV% and a 2.82 GAA.

He could be a good and inexpensive starting goaltender option for Toronto while they wait for Erik Kallgren, Joseph Woll, and Ian Scott to develop. The asking price for Forsberg might be high because of the term left on his deal, but Toronto has plenty of prospects that might interest the Senators.

Jake Allen

Jake Allen is 31-years-old and has one year left on his contract with the Montreal Canadiens. His contract has a cap hit of $2.875 million for next season. Allen would provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with a veteran goaltender who has a winning record through 353 NHL games.

Last season, Allen posted a record of 9-20-4 with two shutouts in 35 games. That record is a bit deceiving as Montreal had a horrible season and did not play well in front of him. He finished the season with a .905 SV% and a 3.30 GAA. The asking price would not be as high for Allen as for Forsberg, so it might be something Dubas looks into doing.

Connor Hellebuyck

Connor Hellebuyck is the most expensive option that Toronto could have this off-season. He is currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets, and they seem to be headed for a rebuild. A rebuild that could result in them trading away assets such as Hellebuyck. Last season he posted a record of 29-27-10 with four shutouts in 66 games. He posted a .910 SV% and a 2.97 GAA for a Winnipeg team that failed to make the playoffs.

The 29-year-old has two more years left on his contract with a cap hit of $6.166 million. It is too expensive of a cap hit for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dubas might have to make a trade or two first to free up more cap space, or Winnipeg will up the asking price if asked to retain some of his salary. If Kyle Dubas believes that now is the time to go all-in and is willing to sacrifice some of the team’s future, acquiring Hellebuyck is possible.

Next. Leafs UFA and RFAs: Stay or Go?. dark

No matter what happens with the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation, it will keep general manager Kyle Dubas busy this summer. It will be interesting to see what goaltender(s) Toronto starts the season with in October.

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