Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending Needs to be Addressed This Offseason

Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending Will Need Adjustments This Offseason; Several Options Exist

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending has long been a hot-button topic in the city. One could argue the franchise has been without a true solid starter since Ed Belfour or Curtis Joseph – and both of those netminders were on the back nine of their career.

Realistically speaking, Felix Potvin might be their longest tenured/most successful goalie of the past quarter-century.

Felix the Cat first appeared in 1991-92 (four games) before his official rookie season in 1992-93. Potvin went on to finish 3rd in Calder Trophy voting posting a 25-15-7 (win-loss-tie) record. His four playoff appearances including a deep run as a rookie is still one of the Toronto Maple Leafs biggest accomplishments between the pipes.

Potvin was eventually traded to the New York Islanders in 1999. He also spent time with Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Boston before retiring following the 2003-04 season.

Curtis Joseph took over in 1998-99 spending the next four seasons in Toronto. Overall, Joseph put up better numbers than Felix Potvin, and had more postseason success – but it’s worth noting that around this time Toronto was investing a ton of money into free agents (pre-salary cap), trading away first round draft picks for rental help down the stretch.

The Maple Leafs were all in during the late 1990s – early 2000s, and it ultimately blew up in their face forcing two rebuild’s.

Next in line was a 37-year-old (at the time) Ed Belfour, who spent the next three seasons with Toronto until he was 40. He had similar regular season success to Cujo, but missed the playoffs his last year, and only managed to escape the first round once.

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2006-07 was the year of Andrew Raycroft, one time wonder. Just a year later, Raycroft started 16 games opposed to Vesa Toskala‘s 66.

It only took a little over two seasons for Leafs management to figure out that Toskala was a flop. He still owns a highlight for allowing one of the worst goals in history (up there with Dan Cloutier‘s gem).

Over the last half decade, we’ve seen Vesa Toskala, Jonas Gustavsson, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Joey MacDonald, and Ben Scrivens. Most recently, the debate was “who is the better goaltender, Jonathan Bernier or James Reimer?”

The only thing we know with certainty following the 2015-16 season is that neither guy is capable of carrying the load for 60-65 games. Whether its level of play, or health concerns, the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending search continues. And no, re-signing Reimer is not an option.

Bernier still has one year remaining on his contract, carrying a $4.1 million dollar cap hit. Toronto isn’t feeling pressure to win in 2016-17, so management may choose to let him play out the remainder of his contract. The Leafs also have an option to trade Bernier (likely having to retain salary for his final year).

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Garret Sparks made his NHL debut in 2015-16 becoming the first Leafs netminder to record a shutout in their first start.

He showed signs of promise filling in for an injured James Reimer while Bernier was still struggling. Once Reimer was dealt at the deadline, Sparks spent the rest of the year with the big club, but proved that he still needs some time in the minors to better develop his game.

Toronto’s other top goalie prospect Antoine Bibeau is also a few years away from being NHL ready (if he ever makes it).

This unfortunately leaves the organization in an uncomfortable position heading into the offseason. The question is, “what’s the best way to address the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending dilemma?”

Two realistic options exist:

a) Find a young top prospect with starter aspirations who is NHL ready.
b) Sign a bridge option. That means bringing in a veteran option with a few years left on their deal – ultimately allowing you to draft and develop or trade for a prospect as they emerge.

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Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltending Options

Potential Long-Term Answers (Prospects, Young Netminders)

Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks
Malcolm Subban, Boston Bruins (not quite NHL ready yet)
Calvin Pickard, Colorado Avalanche
Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus Blue Jackets
Zachary Fucale, Montreal Canadiens (close to NHL ready)
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins (if he somehow becomes available)
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning

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Bridge Deal/Short-Term Answers

Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins (if Murray pushes him out)
Ryan Miller, Vancouver Canucks (if Markstrom/Demko push Miller out)
Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets

Next: Project Helium: Bernier vs. Reimer RGV Study II

Of course, things can change if Anaheim decides to keep Andersen and put John Gibson on the trade block. Another disappointing finish in St.Louis could also put Brian Elliott‘s job at risk. Let’s not forget the goaltending dilemma in Winnipeg with Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson, Connor Hellebuyck, and Eric Comrie all in the mix. At least one netminder needs to be moved to make room for Hellebuyck in 2016-17.

So, when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending issue, what do you think is the right course of action? If you can’t get your hands on a top prospect, does it make sense to acquire a short-term answer (veteran)? Who do you think the Leafs should target this summer?