The Toronto Maple Leafs ard in unfamiliar territory. Sitting in seventh place in teh Atlantic Division, Toronto is struggling in more ways than one. The offense does not look the same. The Defense is average at best. The goaltending suffered a blow with starter Anthony Stolarz going down with an injury. While is return date is not known should the Maple Leafs consider a big goaltending trade?
Stolarz out indefinitely
Stolarz was injured against the Boston Bruins in a game on November 11 and left in the first period. He has not seen game action since. He has not taken the ice to practice. He has not been given a return-to-date action date, and head coach Craig Berube stated that the injury is worse than he thought. Stolarz is considered day to day but could be out for an indeterminate amount of time. he has not been cleared to skate but if this injury is considered long-term or he is out for the season Toronto may be in the goaltending market. Here are three options/
Trade options for the Maple Leafs
Stuart Skinner
Skinner has been with the Edmonton Oilers since his draft year in 2017 when he was taken in the third round.He is widely considered an average goaltender but he is the best goaltender the Oilers have. This season he is 9-7-3 with a goals against average of 3.00 and has a save percentage of .885. When he is on he is a good goaltender but when he is bad he is awful. A 2023 NHL ALL-Star he is capable of carrying a load of games at a time. he would fit in nicely with Toronto an give themstable goaltending.
Jusse Saros
The fourth-round pick in 2013 of the Nashville Predators he is a mainstay with the organization since his rookie season. He is a smaller goaltender but he has been on an elite level many times throughout his career. The second-best goaltender in Predators history has been rumored to be on the move over the past couple of seasons due to speculation Nashville may want to rebuild. This season he is 7-9-3 with a 3.08 goals against average and a .889 save percentage. With Justus Annunen the backup Nashville may want a goaltender in return due to the fact he is not ready for a full-time starter job and the Predators do not have depth in net. Saros is an energetic, athletic goaltender who could solve Toronto's goaltending issue.
Laurent Brossoit
The Chicago Blackhawks have given permission to teams to speak with goaltender Laurent Brossoit to acquire him since Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom are the goaltending duo of the future. Although eh will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, Brossoit has been a steady and reliable backup. He has yet to appear in a game this season but could be useful in a backup role to starter Joseph Woll with Toronto. His average annual value (AAV) is an affordable $3.3 million so making this seal will not sink the Maple Leafs.
With Stolarz injured the tandem has been Woll and Dennis Hildeby. Hildeby has been sharp and Woll has been good but if Stolarz is out for the season or long-term this tandem may not be able to get the job done, and Toronto may be looking for an upgrade in Skinner, Saros, or Brossoit. Woll will be the starter for the time being and Hildeby is not the answer going forward. He could be moved in a deal with either of the three teams mentioned above. Toronto is waiting for official word on the status of Stolarz but if the news is bad they have options out there.