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Fixing the Most Glaring Need in the Maple Leafs Organization: Goaltending |
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When I look at the Toronto Maple Leafs organizational depth charts, one specific weakness stands out; goaltending.
Whether you are one who supports Bernier or Reimer it matters not. The Leafs must rectify their goaltending situation through a trade this season or in the off season.
It’s quite simple really. Bernier and Reimer are both decent goaltenders, but neither is good enough in my opinion to be the front runner for such a legendary original six team such as the Toronto Maple Leafs. A goaltender is the last line of defense on each and every team, which means there is a lot of pressure on them to not only play well on a night to night basis, but to stand on their head and steal the odd game.
Do you really think Jonathan Bernier on his tippy toes at six feet tall is going to be covering enough of the net unless he is way out in his crease challenging the shooter? Maybe, but that’s not the point. The point is he’s simply not big enough for the new National Hockey League. His lack of size coupled with his inconsistency over the past few years is simply not going to cut it. Sure Bernier may be an athletic goaltender and have hot streaks where he plays at par with starting goalies from around the league, but not often enough for my liking.
Toronto needs someone bigger, someone younger and someone who takes each game and practice very seriously as the Leafs try to move in the right direction. Babcock has another seven years on his contract after this season and he needs a legit # 1 goalie if there is any chance of brining the Leafs back to the promised land.
What about Reimer? Well, James has surely shown a lot of improvement from his last couple seasons, but he still battles injuries far too often and is quite sloppy most nights. Sure, this style can work and it has in the past. Some of us grew up watching “The Dominator” (Hasek), but let’s be serious for a minute here; James Reimer is no Hasek.
Best case scenario Reimer continues his good play and is traded at the deadline or resigned as a back-up for next season. Again, the Leafs really need someone stable between the pipes, someone BIG who can not only cover the angles, but has a calm demeanor in net and can also make timely saves. Don’t think by any stretch of your imagination that I am a hater of either goalie, because I’m not. I’m being realistic here as the Leafs continue to rebuild and get the team on track.
Goaltending will, without a doubt be something the Leafs look to improve.
Where to look?
Anaheim: Gibson/Andersen/Khudobin/Tokarski/Hackett
Gibson took over the reins as the true number one this season and Khudobin (UFA) is a legit back-up goaltender. The Ducks have recently added Tokarski who could also be a quality back-up for Gibson moving forward. Andersen is an RFA next season, but Gibson is signed for three more seasons at a measly 2.3 million dollar cap hit. It makes a ton of sense for the Leafs to pursue Andersen and have the Ducks run with Gibson/Khudobin or Tokarski(RFA) next season. Anaheim is lacking offensive output this season with the least amount of goals in the NHL. The Ducks would still have Hackett for their AHL team with a bonified #1 and option of two decent back-ups. Andersen comes in at 6’4” and 220 pounds. He’s 26 years of age and is exactly who I think the Leafs should go after.
Colorado: Varlamov/Berra/Pickard
Varlamov has had a very up and down season, right from the get-go. He’s likely going nowhere unless something extreme were to happen. Berra who was set to backup Varlamov all season came in when Semyon was hurt and played some pretty decent hockey, but struggled over time (.922 / 2.41 GAA). Pickard hasn’t really had too much of a taste this season but is likely at best a backup goaltending going forward. I’m not overly keen on taking Berra or Pickard, but if issues arise with Patrick Roy and Varlamov in Colorado; he may be worth perusing…Colorado needs help on the defensive end.
Columbus: Bobrovsky/McElhinney/Korpisalo/Forsberg
Like Colorado, Columbus has been struggling this season after having their tires pumped by all of the insiders in the off season. Bobrovsky who seems to battle injuries here and there isn’t who the Leafs should consider targeting here. Anton Forsberg is only 23 years of age and with Bobrovsky signed for another three years at 7.425 perhaps a deal could be made for the young Swedish goaltender that was scooped up in the seventh round. He has some seasoning to do as he’s barely had a taste in the NHL, but he has shown a big improvement this season in both the AHL and NHL. Keep in mind Columbus has been awful this season so his stats could be better than they are after his three game stint. Again this is just another option; but not my favourite by any means.
Detroit: Mrazek/Howard/Paterson
The Wings are very tight against the cap moving forward, and Mrazek without a doubt is going to be their star number one moving forward. I’m not really sure how things will work out in Detroit as Howard still has three seasons left after this year at 5.291 million and cap space is very limited. Could Mrazek be had? Doubtful…but he will cost a pretty penny next season. What about adding Jimmy Howard? Babcock would know a lot about both of these goalies and could likely give a quality opinion to Shanahan and Lou about his thoughts on each goalie. I’m not so sure Howard at 31 would be the guy for the Leafs, and I’m not sure they would be willing to move Mrazek…keep a close eye on this situation if the Wings run into “cap-hell”.
Tampa Bay: Bishop/Vasilevskiy/Gudlevskis
The Lightning are certainly in “cap-hell” so there is without question going to be some movement from Tampa Bay in the near future. Stamkos (UFA) and seven other RFA’s need to be signed next season, not to mention both Coburn and Ohlund will also be UFA’s. Yzerman certainly has his work cut out this off season, or before the trade deadline. Just to put a bit more perspective into the situation, the Lightning will also have Palat, Johnson, Boyle, Hedman, Sustr, Bishop and Vasilevskiy to sign the following year. It’s going to be pretty electric the changes in Tampa, perhaps the Leafs can swindle Yzerman and add in one of Bishop or Vasilevskiy. Bishop is 29, and a monster coming in at 6’7”, Vasilevskiy is also a big boy at 6’3”, but is only 21 years of age. Either could be a good fit for Toronto if they see them fitting into the organization and are able to pry one away from Yzerman’s Bolts.
Washington: Holtby/Grubauer/Samsonov
Holtby may win the Vezina this season, so he is without a doubt planted deep in the Washington Capitals future plans. He’s going nowhere, which just may open a door for one of their other goaltenders to be shipped out. Grubauer isn’t much bigger than Bernier but is a more stable goaltender. He’s not who I want the Leafs to pursue, but should be a perfect backup for Holtby and the Capitals. How about Washington’s first round pick (22nd) from last season Ilya Samsonov? He’s only 18 years of age and is committed to playing his first few years of pro hockey in Russia with the KHL (Magnitogorsk Metallurg). Could he be had for the right price? It may take some time for his stint with the KHL to end, but he looks to have all the tools and size (6’4”) to be a solid number one goalie in the NHL. Certainly an option for the Leafs…but more of a long term solution; one I could see being worth the wait.
Winnipeg: Pavelec/Hellebuyck/Hutchinson/Comrie
Last but not least the Jets have got themselves some quality goaltending, maybe too much for them to handle. Hellebuyck has come into the NHL and just rocked the socks off his coaching staff proving he is not only capable of being a goaltender they can count on. Where does this leave Pavelec and Hutchinson? Pavelec has one more season after this year at 3.9 million before he becomes a UFA. Hutchinson is an RFA at seasons end and Hellebuyck has one more season at 667 thousand before he is an RFA in 2017/18. Comrie is no slouch either, this kid is phenomenal. Toronto must have the Jets on their radar since they have such an abundance of young goaltenders that all have size and skill. Hellebuyck at 22 is 6’4”, Comrie is only 20 years old at 6’1”, Pavelec who’s 28 is 6’3”, and Hutchinson is 25 at 6’3”. Take your pick; I think the Leafs would improve their goaltending woes with one of these big young goaltenders. I’d imagine Winnipeg has some needs and hopefully Toronto can fill them.
What do you think about my list of goaltenders the Leafs should look at bringing into the system?
Do you agree goaltending is one of the most glaring needs in the organization?
Enjoy tonight’s game versus Columbus.
Thanks for reading.
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • 
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