NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs Goalie Sets Contract Demands

According to multiple reports, Toronto Maple Leafs pending free-agent netminder Jack Campbell is looking for $5 million annually on his next contract. Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is likely hovering around the $3.5 million mark, hence why there's been no agreement to this point.

His agent Overhardt says “there’s been no material contract conversation” since the end of the season.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 2, 2022

Chris Johnston on TSN1050 says he's still not sure if Jack Campbell will be back. Says Campbell/his camp wants $5M AAV and doesn't think the Leafs can pay that. Thinks it's possible the Leafs could be in the market for two goaltenders.

— Willyston Riellander (@nylanderthews) May 31, 2022

Free agency is set to open up on July 13 and Campbell could be one of the best goalies to hit the open market. The Leafs are going to do everything in their power to sign 'Soup' as he's become one of the faces of the team the past few seasons. The all-star is coming off a year making $1.6 million and producing 2.64 GAA and a .914 save %. Unfortunately Campbell wasn't able to maintain the same results in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to get pucks passed him early and often. 'Soup' finished the first-round with a 3.15 GAA and a .897 save%. Certainly one of the reasons the Maple Leafs are on the outside looking in once again as they haven't won a first-round series in almost two decades.

Campbell's camp is likely using the likes of Cal Petersen of the LA Kings as his contract comparable and same goes for Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins and Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Similar make ups and NHL experience, as Dubas and Campbell's agent continue to go back and forth on numbers.

If Toronto has to clear cap space to bring back their number one goalie, it's likely we see one of Alexander Kerfoot or Jake Muzzin dealt in the coming weeks. Kerfoot makes $3.5 million, meanwhile Muzzin $5.6 million, two players to watch that are indirectly tied to the Campbell negotiations for Dubas and company. Pretty crazy to think if Campbell leaves, and the Maple Leafs already are trying to get rid of Petr Mrazek, Dubas could be in the market for two new goalies as he enters the final season of his current contract with the Maple Leafs.

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