HELP WANTED: FOUR POTENTIAL MAPLE LEAFS GOALIE TARGETS

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make some notable changes to their group this summer. After entering the year with high expectations, they once again fell short to the Boston Bruins in the first round, losing to their Original Six rival in seven games.

One of the many areas the Maple Leafs are expected to focus on this summer is their goaltending. Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones and Matt Murray are all on expiring deals and could part ways with Toronto. While Joseph Woll had a solid regular season and playoffs, the Maple Leafs would still be wise to add another goaltender.

Let's discuss four potential options.

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

If the Maple Leafs want to make a massive splash between the pipes, Juuse Saros should be their top target.

The Nashville Predators netminder has been the subject of trade speculation since around the trade deadline. With Yaroslav Askarov waiting in the wings and Saros entering the final year of his deal, there's a chance that we could see the star moved.

Saros would be a significant addition to the Leafs' roster, as he should get the bulk of the games without any issue and provide some stability. He also has an affordable $5-million cap hit and no trade protection, which adds to his appeal.

In 64 games this season, Saros had a 35-24-5 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames

Speaking of big-name goaltenders in the rumor mill, Jacob Markstrom is another player to watch this summer. The 34-year-old was one of the most-discussed players at the trade deadline, but the Calgary Flames elected to keep him. That said, it was also rumored he almost moved to the New Jersey Devils.

With the Flames going through a retool, Markstrom is expected to continue to generate trade talk this summer.

If the Maple Leafs landed him, he would be more than a rental, as he has a $6-million cap hit until the end of the 2025-26 season. Markstrom also has a full no-movement clause, so he would have the final say in a potential move to Toronto.

Markstrom, 34, appeared in 48 games this season with the Flames, posting a 23-23-2 record, a .905 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average.

Cam Talbot, Los Angeles Kings

This year's free-agent goalie market is a bit underwhelming, but Los Angeles Kings netminder Cam Talbot could be worth targeting for the Maple Leafs. The veteran could form a strong tandem with Woll, and he would be far easier to afford than Saros and Markstrom.

Talbot, 36, had a strong regular season for the Kings, recording a 27-20-6 record, a 2.50 GAA and a .913 SP. However, he struggled mightily in the post-season with a .861 SP and 5.30 GAA in three appearances against the Edmonton Oilers.

Overall, Talbot would not be a massive splash for the Maple Leafs, but he would be a serviceable 1B goalie with Woll. On an affordable one-year deal, there could be a match here.

Anthony Stolarz, Florida Panthers

Anthony Stolarz is an under-the-radar netminder whom the Maple Leafs should also consider. The 30-year-old had an outstanding regular season as the Florida Panthers' backup, recording a 16-7-2 record, a 2.03 GAA and a .925 SP. Even if he did not receive a starter's workload, that kind of goaltending is quite impressive.

Similar to Talbot, Stolarz could be a decent addition for the Maple Leafs if they trust Woll to be their starter. The New Jersey native showed this season he can be a very serviceable backup or even a 1B. He also has had previous success in this kind of role, posting a .917 save percentage in 28 appearances for the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-22.

2024-05-08T20:16:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd