The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled for consistent goaltending for some time now and there’s only one proven way to fix it.
That fix sounds simple but in practice is not so easy; the Toronto Maple Leafs must draft and develop their own starting goaltender.
Its easier said than done of course, otherwise no team in the league would have goaltending struggles.
The Edmonton Oilers most recently came undone on goaltending, while Colorado are a real exception to the rule of drafting and developing in net.
Toronto Maple Leafs Don’t Have The Best Track Record
The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to drafting and developing goalies.
Looking at their drafting record over the past decades, there’s a decent number that have seen NHL time but the only true standout is Tuukka Rask, whose successes were all with the Boston Bruins.
Beyond Rask, the only success in recent memory has been James Reimer. Beyond that, you’re looking at Felix Potvin and Ken Wregget while Damian Rhodes had his best years elsewhere too.
Contrast those names with a team like the New York Rangers or Montreal Canadiens.
For New York, Igor Shesterkin is just the latest drafted and developed goalie to breakthrough. Before him it was Henrik Lundqvist and before Henrik, you’re talking John Vanbiesbrouck and Mike Richter.
With Montreal, you need only look at two names; Carey Price and Patrick Roy. However, it must be forgotten that Jose Theodore and Jarsolav Halak were also draft picks of the Canadiens. they just have a way with finding the right talent.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to take their game to greater heights, they absolutely must find a goaltender that they draft and develop to play in the team’s style.
Fixing the problem every few years by hitting the trade market or free agency isn’t the right solution. We’ve seen Frederick Andersen depart and we’re seeming likely to see Jack Campbell follow suit.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have certainly taken swings at finding an NHL-quality goalie in recent drafts, with Garret Sparks a recent example that had plenty of potential but just not quite that big-league game.
Likewise, Joseph Woll could still prove to be a smart pick but he doesn’t scream out number one goalie that can take the team to new heights; you’d assume he hits his ceiling as a backup or a reliable 1B option at best.
The past two drafts, the Toronto Maple Leafs have opted for young Russian goalies; not the worst thinking with the success of the likes of Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy.
However it still remains to be told if either Artur Akhtiamov or Vyacheslav Peksa are willing to leave their homeland or are even of NHL quality.
To move forward, the Maple Leafs should absolutely look to add another goalie at this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
Barring that, at least they’ve recruited Hobey Baker winner Dryden McKay to the organization. If they’re not going to fully draft and develop, at least the college free agent development path is might still work out.
Either way, the team must find a way to get some strong goaltending locked in long-term. You can’t spend every summer scouring the market for a goalie.