The Toronto Maple Leafs were forced to put newly acquired goaltender Michael Hutchinson right into the spotlight today after Garret Sparks suffered an injury in practice. Frederik Andersen, the regular starter is on the shelf with a groin injury, meaning Kasimir Kaskisuo was on the bench today as the backup. Hutchinson allowed four goals in a loss to the Minnesota Wild, and though he couldn’t be blamed entirely for the loss it is obviously a concern of the team. Head coach Mike Babcock said after the game to reporters including Jonas Siegel of The Athletic that the team is discussing whether or not they’ll go after another goaltender in order to let Kaskisuo return to the minor leagues.
There is an experienced goaltender on waivers today in Mike McKenna, but that doesn’t necessarily give the Maple Leafs a better option than Hutchinson moving forward. If the team isn’t comfortable with him as the starter perhaps they will go after another netminder with more upside. Regardless, it’s an interesting comment given how close Andersen appears after hitting the ice the last few days. Sparks was put into the concussion protocol after taking a puck to the head and it’s not clear how long he’ll be out.
Goaltending depth is a familiar issue for the Maple Leafs, who over the last few years have struggled to find a reliable backup. Curtis McElhinney eventually took on that role after being claimed off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets, but was subsequently lost at the start of this season when the Maple Leafs decided to keep Sparks in the NHL. Calvin Pickard, similarly acquired to help add some organizational depth last season, was also lost on waivers and has bounced around the league since.
With Andersen facing so much work since joining the Maple Leafs, the team must surround him with some depth as they prepare for a long playoff run. Lower-body injuries can linger for goaltenders even well after they are ready to get back into game action, and can pop up at the most inopportune times down the line. While Sparks has done enough to keep the backup role for now, two consecutive injuries are showing just how thin the position is in Toronto.
Jimmy Howard?
Hutch played a hell of a game today, leafs d left him out to dry on all the goals even the semi soft 5 hole against spurgen was more on the d then on hutch
I suggested on a blog site that Toronto should look into moving Sparks since this isn’t the ideal situation for him or the club (having a young 26 year old learn how to be reliable at the nhl level in a club with championship aspirations and the window about to open). Moreover the defense not only needs an upgrade now but for the immediate future with both Jake gardiner and Ron hainsey most likely departing at seasons end. The leafs need a right handed shot to go with rielly on the powerplay as well as someone who has the experience and can still play. That person is Brent seabrook in Chicago. He is a perfect fit for the maple leafs and at age 33 signed until he is 38 which is Ron hainsey’s current age and Patrick marleau I am willing to bet he will still be a good player and leader for the guys already on the blue line and those to come up.
Meanwhile it makes no sense for the hawks to keep a 35/36 year old backup in cam ward who has played well but the hawks continue to play crap hockey in front of him. Ward gives the leafs a solid backup option when moments like this arise. Babcock will have much more confidence in a guy like ward than a 26 year old getting his feet wet.
My proposal…
To Chicago:
Garrett Sparks (to battle for starts with another solid young goalie Colin Delia also his hometown club).
Jake Gardiner (try to get something for the impending UFA).
If Chicago isn’t interested at all in Gardiner then have their pick at two of the following: Moore, liljegren, Borgman, Rosen, maybe lindholm or Bracco?
Chicago should be in selling mode soon and would want to get young pieces that Toronto probably won’t be able to give much ice time or money to in the near future. Meanwhile the Leafs are almost not yet in a win now mode. So acquiring good experienced veterans for good prospects who the leafs won’t be able to play or pay makes a lot of sense right now.
not if the wings still want a 1st
Michael Hutchinson played well today despite the weak third goal. He kept the team in the game. But it’s good to have at least 3 guys in the goalie depth charts to rely on. Toronto needs the depth as well as on defense. The leafs are not a cup contender yet. They have to figure out what to do with nylander long term and the defense. Andersen i has been playing great but now injured. And the schedule has not been that difficult so I don’t think Babcock has been playing him too much at least not yet. But he obviously needs more rest and the team just doesn’t seem to play well enough in front of Sparks. Important for Sparks’ career to get a shot at regular ice time/starts on a team without an established #1 goalie. the current makeup of the leafs just doesn’t make sense so when a couple losses pile up from time to time like this, although a bit rare, these issues seem so easy to fix. Something has to give at some point if the Leafs really want to take the next step.
Idiot
Who? Me? Lol. I am a goalie as well ! Or was in college.
Hey Brad your trade proposal is not a real proposal and makes no sense. Go to bed.
The problem with that is Brent Seabrook has a cap hit of 6.8 for the next five years and if the Leafs had that kind of cap space, they would just resign Gardiner and for less than 6.8 a year. Also, Liljegren definitely isn’t going anywhere. Liljegren will be taking one of the open spots next year. The Leafs will need the affordable contracts of Liljegren, Rosen and Borgman after signing Matthews and Marner.
Assuming these youngsters like Timothy liljegren, Calle Rosen, Andreas Borgman can play at the nhl level and be reliable which they haven’t been able to show yet. And from what I’ve seen from liljegren with the Marlies I’m not at all convinced he can play.
The leafs need to make something happen in my opinion to take the next step. Gardiners contract is actually similar in cap hit compared to seabrooks. I just like the idea I’d having experienced guys around like hainsey and marleau who will be off the books very soon.
The bottom line is realistically who is going to fill in the roles of gardiner and hainsey assuming they are not resigned. And I wouldn’t resign either one of them. Having a club trying to win a Stanley cup relying on rookies doesn’t seem like a good idea. Takes several seasons to develop good strong reliable defensemen. It took 6 seasons for Morgan rielly to finally develop.
Well just kicking wheels on how to make the leafs better and getting closer in taking the necessary steps into becoming a true contender.
This current lineup and roster just isn’t going to get the job done. Tampa bay and Boston will continue to embarrass them in the big stages.
Lmao I’d take anything from the leafs for seabrook
Garrett Sparks, Jake Gardiner and/or (prospect or two) for Brent Seabrook, Cam Ward and maybe one more piece?
Toronto also needs to address their goaltending depth.
I don’t know maybe one of those kids liljegren, Rosen, Borgman or Sandin will turn out to be top four pairings? I’d rather have Seabrook than Justin Faulk. No question the Blackhawks have overplayed both Seabrook and Keith. But Seabrook won’t have to play the top minutes he has in Chicago.
Where else could the leafs look into both upgrading the defense and goaltending depth?
Remember Johnny Bower AND Terry Sawchuk? Those were the days… But it was a 6 team league with only 12 goalies on the rosters at any one time. But my point is you can never have too much depth in net (or on defense). The thing is Toronto almost has too much depth at forward, so they had to let Bozak and Martin and JVR go last year.
The proposal to get defenders from Chicago shows some imagination, but will never happen due to salary cap. But it is a good idea to lose one or two forwards to get something.
Well, if I was imaginative, I’d say pick up a veteran. Like how Plante or Belfour or Fuhr or Moog or Hasek or Cujo switched teams. Some goalie like that, only one or two years left before retirement on a team way out of the the playoffs. Will never happen because of salary, but Luongo or Reimer or even Lundqvist would look great in Blue & White…