Following yet another first-round loss to the Boston Bruins, Chris Johnston and Julian McKenzie talked about the Toronto Maple Leafs in the most recent episode of the Chris Johnston Show.
Johnston brought up Joseph Woll’s injury history and the organization’s investigation into his training and physical makeup to determine ways to prevent injuries in the future during their talk about the team’s goaltending. “Do you think the Leafs will still be confident enough in him to be their number one next year?” McKenzie then posed the question. Do you think they’re thinking, “Hey, let’s bring in a veteran to kind of work alongside him during the offseason?”
Johnston shot back, saying, “My calculation would be that they are probably getting two veterans.” Matt Murray, Martin Jones, and [Ilya] Samsonov are all pending UFAs, for example. Though it’s too soon to say for sure, I believe they’re bringing in at least two senior goalies with NHL experience. It’s likely that one of those players is returning. Unofficially, one of them will be ranked number three.
Leafs Nation has taken notice of this since, unlike the New York Rangers or Boston Bruins, they do not have a real number one goalie, even though they have a “number one.” This offseason, the goalkeeper free-agent market is not very strong. Thus, we’ll discover who they intend to include in a trio with Woll.
Best Goalkeepers on the Market This Summer
Cam Talbot: The Los Angeles Kings were Talbot’s team for the previous campaign. He recently concluded a one-year contract worth $1 million, which is his Average Annual Value (AAV). He is the greatest goaltender set to come onto the market statistically; he finished with a 27-20-3 record, a 2.50 goals-against average (GAA), and a.913 save percentage (SV%). The AVV of a one-year contract worth around $1.5 million might be extended by the Maple Leafs.
Scott Wedgewood: Although it is doubtful that Wedgewood will leave the Dallas Stars, he is an excellent choice for an NHL backup. That was something he had previously demonstrated with the Stars, particularly this season with a 16-7-0 record, 2.85 GAA, and.899 SV%. At thirty-one, Wedgewood might be interested in a contract that is longer than a year. The Maple Leafs could then extend their offer to him for a second season at the same $1 million AAV.
Laurent Brossoit: Similar to Wedgewood, Brossoit is a near-perfect backup goalkeeper option, so it is doubtful that he will leave the Winnipeg Jets.
With the Vegas Golden Knights, Brossoit won a Stanley Cup and supported one of the league’s top goalies, Connor Hellebuyck. Given what he has learned from Hellebuyck, he might be the Maple Leafs’ best option if he does decide to enter the free agent market. With a 15-5-3 record, a 2.00 GAA, and a.927 SV%, he would be a fantastic backup to Woll. With an AAV of $2 million, the Maple Leafs would probably make him an offer in the two-year range.
