The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation has been inconsistent throughout this season. Starting netminder Frederik Andersen has rebounded from a shaky start and has played well since the start of November, but backup Jhonas Enroth is winless and youngsters Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks have had their ups and downs in the American Hockey League.
On Monday, the Leafs placed Enroth on waivers. The 28-year-old native of Stockholm, SWE was signed to a one-year, $750,000 contract in August and is 0-3-1 in four starts, with a 3.94 goals against average and .872 save percentage.
"We're just in a situation where we're making a change." Leafs coach
Mike Babcock said following the club's Monday morning practice.
Enroth has been used exclusively in the second half of back-to-back games and may have lost the confidence of Babcock, based on the comments of Leafs head coach after he surrendered two goals in the opening minute of a 3-0 loss to Calgary last Wednesday.
“We came in here and obviously weren't ready. As a team, as a coaching staff, as a goaltender we weren't ready and end up giving up your full day of preparation in the first five minutes.” Babcock said. “There's no excuse for that. It also shows you we're not an upper echelon team when you can't do it night-in and night-out.”
Free agent goaltender Karri Ramo has remained a presence around the club and according to Sportsnet's
Chris Johnston is close to getting medical clearance for his injured knee.
The 30-year-old Ramo split time with Jonas Hiller and Joni Ortio with Calgary the last two seasons and after being part of the Flames cinderella run to the playoffs in 2015, came back down to earth last season, going 17-18-1, with a 2.63 GAA and .909 save percentage in 37 games.
If Enroth clears waivers, it is possible that his contract could be terminated to free him to return to Europe or that he will be demoted to the AHL. The Marlies have three goaltenders in Sparks, Bibeau and longtime KHLer Jeff Glass, which may mean that playing time for Enroth could be scarce.
It is unlikely that Toronto will opt towards giving Bibeau or Sparks the backup job. Bibeau was named AHL goaltender of the month in October, but his record has fallen to 6-5-3 after struggling in November and early December. Sparks played 17 games with the Leafs last season, but has played only six games with the Marlies this season and is just coming off a week suspension for violating team policy stemming from a confrontation on social media.
If this were last season, the 30-year-old Glass may have been a viable candidate, with seven years of experience in the KHL, but the waiving of Enroth appears to be an effort on the Leafs to find a goalie who can perform better in the instances where Toronto has back-to-back games and that could mean that Ramo being signed sometimes this week.
Toronto has one spot available under the 50 pro contract limit and a resolution to the Jared Cowen buyout dispute is expected by Wednesday, which could free up space to sign Ramo to a deal. If Enroth clears waivers and has an opportunity outside of the NHL, the Leafs could terminate his contract so that he would be free to play in Europe.
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On this week's Blue N' White Tonight Podcast, Toronto Sun Leafs beat reporter Terry Koshan drops by to talk about The Shanaplan so far, a change in expectations, and trade possibilities!
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