3 Goaltenders Who Could Help the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves atop the North division standings as they head into Monday night's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers. The Leafs are two points up on the Winnipeg Jets but currently have a huge question mark in their crease as goaltender Frederik Andersen is hurt and the team doesn't know exactly when he'll be returning at this point.
Backup turned starter Jack Campbell has been lights out so far this season but the team may consider adding another netminder before the April 12th trade deadline.
3 Goalies Who Could Help the Maple Leafs
David Rittich, Calgary Flames
'Big Save Dave' is a pending free-agent and on a Calgary team who is likely to miss the playoffs. The Flames are two points back of the fourth placed Montreal Canadiens but have played fives more games then the Habs. The math doesn't look good, so expectation is Rittich could be moved. The 28-year-old is making $2.75 million on the cap, so the Leafs would love to wait until the last possible moment before acquiring the netminder. In 13 games this season Rittich has recorded a 2.78 GAA and he would provide the Leafs a fantastic option as a depth piece for their crease.
Devan Dubnyk, San Jose Sharks
The 34-year-old veteran is very likely to be moved before the April 12th trade deadline. Dubnyk has a 10-team no-trade list however the expectation is he would like to be moved to a contender and would welcome a trade to Toronto. If Andersen doesn't require surgery, the Leafs would pass on 'Duby', however if he is out long-term Dubnyk would give the Leafs an experienced backup for Campbell heading into the playoffs.
Jonathan Bernier, Detroit Red Wings
Bernier is a familiar name to Leafs Nation and the best part about his three seasons in Toronto was the fact his numbers were actually pretty good. A .922, .912 and a.908 save % over the course of the three seasons and this season Bernier has been a bright spot for the brutal Red Wings with a .918 save %. He's a pending free-agent, he knows the team/city well and he would be an upgrade to third-stringer Michael Hutchinson.
If Freddie Andersen is out long-term the Maple Leafs will add a netminder at the trade deadline. These three goalies would all be an upgrade to their depth chart and if the team wants some insurance in their crease, they should look to acquiring one of them.
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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