No. 4: Mackenzie Blackwood
For whatever reason, it feels like the marketplace isn’t too keen on Mackenzie Blackwood joining the Leafs, but I personally just see Jack Campbell 2.0 in him and that’s not a bad thing.
When Toronto traded for Campbell, he was a former high draft-pick who just hadn’t found his way yet. He was making a small contract, but ultimately found his calling with the Leafs and became an NHL All-Star goalie.
Why can’t Blackwood be that guy for the Leafs?
The 25-year-old has not been good over the past two seasons, but then again, who has been good for the New Jersey Devils? That team was one of the worst teams in the NHL for the past two seasons and any goalie would have struggled in that system.
I know the Devils were still pretty bad during Blackwood’s first two seasons, in which he put up good stats, but injuries really hurt him the past two years.
Injuries are definitely a concern with Blackwood, but at 25-years-old and only $2.8M, he should be someone to consider. Even if he’s a 1B to another goalie on this list, or back-up, Blackwood is someone worth taking a chance on because he has all of the skills to be a really good goalie in this league.