The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the NHL Draft looking for a goaltender. They left Montreal still facing the same question. But unlike before the draft, the Maple Leafs now have different options.
GM Kyle Dubas was tight-lipped about their options when speaking to reporters during the draft. This came after he successfully cleared Petr Mrazek’s $3.8 million cap hit off the books.
“With the space we have now, every option is available to us,” Dubas said.
Finding the right option
The big question facing the Maple Leafs now is who their best option is. With free agency opening on Wednesday, they could hit the market with their new found cap space. They have about $10.2 million.
Can they revisit the Jack Campbell situation? Perhaps. They can check in and see if an agreement can be reached. However, this still seems like a difficult situation.
Campbell is unlikely to accept a hometown discount. Securing him appears to require an AAV of at least $5 million. Yes, the Maple Leafs can afford it on the surface. But with other moves they have to make, it would make things really tight again.
Kyle Dubas on the #NHL goalie market: “Good feel for where [it’s] of, where it goes and who is available, what the price will be in the deal. We will deal with our own situation with Jack [Campbell] and if it comes to that point, we’ll work … with the rest of the free agents.”
If they can somehow agree on a number under $5 million, then there’s a chance. The Oilers seem more likely to be able to give Campbell what he’s looking for. But at least the Maple Leafs can sign up again. It would be nearly impossible without dealing with Mrazek first.
What about other free agent options? Ville Husso’s rights were sold to the Detroit Red Wings. He then signed a new three-year contract with them for $4.75 million. So he’s out.
Then there is the Darcy Kuemper situation. His Stanley Cup-winning performance helped get him out of Colorado. He will be highly sought after with interest from multiple teams.
Can the Maple Leafs submit the best offer? If not, can they present themselves as the best situation to join? With the Washington Capitals among the teams with the most serious interest, there is no guarantee that Kuemper will end up with the Maple Leafs.
Blockbuster trade
If the Maple Leafs hit free agency, they could go the trade route. This really presents them with a unique opportunity to once and for all solve their goaltending problem, not just this season, but for the foreseeable future.
Ultimately, the Maple Leafs want to find the goaltender that will help them win the Stanley Cup. But who might be available in the trade that can help them now and in the future?
One name stands out given his team’s current situation. This is Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson.
The Maple Leafs should take a serious look at acquiring John Gibson. (Amy Irwin / The Hockey Writers)
We have to ask the question here: Can a blockbuster deal be found to bring Gibson to the Maple Leafs? Let’s set the stage.
Could Gibson work in Toronto?
Gibson currently has five seasons remaining on his deal, which is worth an AAV of $6.4 million. Taking on the full AAV wouldn’t be ideal if the money wasn’t going the other way. Who would go to the Ducks, which might make some sense given their high cost in any trade package.
In terms of comparable money, William Nylander stands out. Nylander has two more seasons at $6.96 million. It will take a long time for the Maple Leafs to move on from Nylander. It will also take a lot for the Ducks to move away from Gibson. Is a one-on-one situation enough? Our Maple Leafs contributor Alex Hobson believes the team should look at Gibson if the price is right.
Related: Maple Leafs should consider Gibson at right price
Hobson also notes that there is significant risk in acquiring Gibson, citing his recent numbers. In saying that, he also believes the team should be able to compete in the East with the likes of Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin around.
That’s what makes Gibson intriguing. That’s why the Maple Leafs should consider trading a player like Nylander in a potential trade. The AAV is similar, with the Maple Leafs getting extra cap space in the first two years. They will have their network for the next five years.
If trading William Nylander means securing your net for many years, the Maple Leafs should consider it. (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Gibson would be joining a much deeper team in Toronto than in Anaheim. The numbers don’t lie. When he fought, he was bad. But when he’s right, he’s one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.
As I’ve talked about in previous installments, Nylander is a luxury when you already have the offensive firepower of the Maple Leafs. The missing key piece is in the web. That’s why it’s worth considering a blockbuster trade centered around Gibson and Nylander. If trading Nylander means getting the missing piece of the puzzle, you should seriously consider it.
It should be noted that Gibson holds some of the cards with his modified 10-team no-trade roster. He will have to indicate that he is fine with accepting a trade to the Maple Leafs.
On the Ducks side, they would get an elite offensive threat to join their young core in Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish. The thing that might cause some hesitation for the Ducks is what they would do in net if Gibson were traded. But would he live out his contract knowing that growth issues were still on the horizon? Also, will Nylander re-sign with the Ducks after the deal expires?
The Ducks may be a desirable destination given their young talent, led by Trevor Zegras. (Amy Irwin / The Hockey Writers)
Hobson believes the Maple Leafs will need another piece like Maxime Comtois to make this a fair deal. He believes trading Nylander will need more in the return considering he is coming off a career-high 80-point season.
The bottom row
At the end of the day, trading can work in the right situation. The Gibson/Nylander example shows how each player would benefit the new team while also seeing potential weaknesses in the deal.
Still, if the Maple Leafs swing a blockbuster deal for a goaltender who turns money into money, money into money, it addresses their need for scoring while having limited cap space to deal with other parts of the team. Signing a goaltender in free agency puts you against the cap again.
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That’s why the Maple Leafs should consider a blockbuster trade. This would allow them to finally end their constant search for a goalkeeper once and for all.
But as Dubas said, all options are on the table. This decision could ultimately decide if the Maple Leafs finally get to where they want to go. It is drinking from Lord Stanley’s cup.
I am a fully accredited writer covering the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cleveland Monsters and Erie Otters as well as the Ontario Hockey League and the NHL Draft. The 2021-22 season will mark eight seasons with the Hockey Writers. I am also the site’s credential manager.
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