The trade of Jonathan Bernier to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday cleared up the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation for next season. The acquisition of Frederik Andersen on June 20 and five-year, $25 Million contract extension signed soon after appears to be the first part of a two-pronged maneuver by the frequent trading partners.
The Ducks moved out the 26-year-old native of Herning, Denmark for a pair of draft picks and by waiting until July 8 to acquire Bernier, Anaheim gets Toronto to pay his $2 Million signing bonus. The Leafs get the benefit of clearing all of Bernier’s $4.15 Million cap hit, thus avoiding them having one of the highest paid goaltending tandems for a club not expected to contend for a playoff spot.
Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello indicated that the club will be looking for a veteran to backup Andersen on Friday and head coach Mike Babcock reiterated that on the final day of the club’s Development Camp at the MasterCard Center in Etobicoke, ON on Saturday.
“Acquiring (Andersen) was a big deal for our team. We think it gives us a top flight goaltender and a starter, now we have find a good pro to come in and support him and we’ll do that.” Babcock said.
Goaltender Garret Sparks had some good moments but struggled late in the season after returning from a groin injury, while 22-year-old Antoine Bibeau needs more time in the American Hockey League before being ready for the NHL.
Signing an unrestricted free agent is an option for Toronto, but there are only a few options available.
Former Leaf Ben Scrivens has been with three NHL clubs since being part of the deal that brought Bernier to Toronto three years ago and played 15 games with Montreal last season filling in for the injured Carey Price. The 29-year-old Cornell University grad is reportedly getting feelers from the KHL.
Jhonas Enroth occupied Bernier and Scrivens old spot of backing up Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles last season, after being traded to Dallas in February 2015. The 28-year-old Swede exceeded his career .911 save percentage with the Kings last season and has extensive experience in the Atlantic Division with the Buffalo Sabres.
The Leafs may prefer to go the trade route for a goalie, since it would allow them to move a player they may not have in their plans to fill a hole on the roster. RFA forwards Peter Holland, Josh Leivo or defensemen Martin Marincin or Frank Corrado could be candidates.
Here are a few potential options:
Curtis McElhinney(CLB) – The 33-year-old has spent the last three seasons backing up Sergei Bobrovsky in Columbus, but rookie Joonas Korpisalo did a remarkable job when Bobrovsky went down to injury last season and the veteran may be expendable. McElhinney makes $800,000 next season and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Reto Berra(FL) – Berra was traded by Colorado to Florida for Rocco Grimaldi last month, presumably to be insurance in case Roberto Luongo is not ready to go at the start of next season after off-season hip surgery, but
Panthers GM Tom Rowe said that Luongo will be ready for opening night, which means Florida will have three goalies with the recently signed James Reimer also in the mix.
Keith Kinkaid(NJ) - Kinkaid has backed up starter Cory Schneider in New Jersey the last two seasons and had a 2.81 GAA and .904 save percentage in 2016. The 27-year-old was signed by Lamoriello as an undrafted free agent out of Union College in 2012 and makes $725,000 before becoming a UFA next July.
Scott Wedgewood(NJ) - Wedgewood had a great season with Albany (including a good showing against the Marlies in a second round Calder Cup playoff loss) and played four games for the Devils last season. The 23-year-old Brampton, ON native was selected by New Jersey in the third round of the 2010 Draft and will be available in the expansion draft if Schneider is protected next summer.
Jean-Francois Berube(NYI) – The 24-year-old Berube was kept on the Isles NHL roster for most of the season for fear of him being claimed on waivers. The former Kings draft pick won a Calder Cup in 2015 with Manchester and played only seven games in Brooklyn last season. Jaroslav Halak is back healthy and Thomas Greiss is coming off a good playoff performance. Does that mean that GM Garth Snow will move Berube?
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