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Neuvirth agrees to PTO, giving Leafs more goal options

July 22, 2019, 5:06 PM ET [482 Comments]
Mike Augello
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The Toronto Maple Leafs added another piece potentially to their backup goaltending picture, as the Czech website iSport reported on Monday that veteran goaltender Michal Neuvirth has accepted a professional tryout.

The 31-year-old has played 257 games during his 11-year NHL career with Washington, Buffalo, the NY Islanders and Philadelphia, but battled a myriad of injuries during his years with the Flyers, which limited him to just seven starts last season.

"I definitely want to go back to the NHL. I've negotiated with a few teams and finally agreed with Toronto," Neuvirth said. "It's definitely a big challenge for me. When I got a call from Toronto, I (stopped talking to) all the other teams.”

Neuvirth joins Michael Hutchinson in the battle to backup goalie Frederik Andersen.

The Leafs re-signed Hutchinson to a one-year, $700,000 one-way contract last month and along with Neuvirth, it gives head coach Mike Babcock options other than Garret Sparks for the #2 job at training camp in September.

Hutchinson was installed as the #2 behind Andersen in the playoffs after Sparks late season struggles and fall from grace.



The addition of Neuvirth provides even more evidence that the Leafs could possibly trade Sparks, but if not, it is a long shot that the 25-year-old can regain the confidence of Babcock after losing eight of his last 10 games.

The Neuvirth tryout is a no-risk move for the Leafs. The club needs a veteran buffer between Andersen and prospects Joseph Woll and Ian Scott, who have no professional experience. Players on PTO’s have no impact on the salary cap until an NHL deal is signed and until the Mitch Marner contract impasse is resolved, GM Kyle Dubas may use this method to bring in other veterans to bolster the blueline or provide options at forward.




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