Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly sign Michal Neuvirth to professional tryout

Facing a need for goaltending depth, the Toronto Maple Leafs are turning to former Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth.

After losing both Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard on waivers, the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t been able to find a good backup goalie. According to a report from iSport, goaltender Michal Neuvirth will be trying out for the Leafs.

Officially, he’ll sign a professional tryout, which allows Toronto to see what he can do. Neuvirth would be eligible to participate in offseason workouts, training camp, and preseason games. However, in order to stay in the organization after preseason, he would have to sign a contract.

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Neuvirth most recently played for the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, in eight appearances (seven starts), he posted a .859 save percentage, allowing 4.27 goals against per game. Neuvirth, though, does have a history of being a reliable backup. In his NHL career, he has a .910% save percentage in 257 games.

The 31-year-old goaltender hopes to continue his NHL career. Toronto could be a good spot for Neuvirth, as even if he doesn’t make the NHL roster, they’ll need goaltending depth in the AHL and ECHL. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn the backup goalie spot at some point.

Best of all, it gives Neuvirth a chance to show not just the Leafs, but other teams, what he can do. He needs to prove he’s still an NHL caliber goaltender after a rough 2018-19 season filled with injuries.

Neuvirth was considering playing overseas, but the Maple Leafs offer was enough to persuade him to stay in North America, at least for the time being. Toronto currently has Frederik Andersen as their starting goalie. He has played in at least 60 games in each of the past three seasons. The Leafs would probably like to give him a bit more rest, so they’re looking to add a reliable backup goalie.

Currently, Neuvirth’s primary competition will be incumbent backup goaltender Garret Sparks and veteran backup goalie Michael Hutchinson. Last season, Sparks posted a .902% save percentage in 20 games, while Hutchinson posted a .914% save percentage in five games.

Even if Neuvirth doesn’t earn the backup goalie spot with the Maple Leafs, it wouldn’t be surprising if Toronto was interested in signing him to a deal to play in the AHL. The Marlies could use a veteran goaltender to help with the development of young goalies like Joseph Woll and Ian Scott.