Goalie Roulette: Will the Leafs take a risk on an inexperienced Husso??? (maple leafs)

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Goalie Roulette: Will the Leafs take a risk on an inexperienced Husso???

By Mike Augello

Jun 15, 2022 • 12:35 pm

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Between now and the NHL Draft, there are a number of factors that could affect the direction that the Toronto Maple Leafs take in regards to the club for next season. Arguably the most important decision is between the pipes, where the club appears to be ready to move on from Jack Campbell (based on his rumored price tag as an unrestricted free agent) and the speculation that GM Kyle Dubas will look to either trade or buyout Petr Mrazek one year into his three-year, $11.4 million deal.

Late last week, TSN’s Chris Johnston speculated that the Leafs could be interested in two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray, possibly after being bought out by Ottawa or in a trade if the Sens retained salary or took back a contract like Mrazek in the deal. On Monday, Sportsnet’s Nick Alberga reported that Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson has informed the club that he would be open to being dealt.

Veteran goaltender Semyon Varlamov is also a possibility with the NY Islanders looking to open up cap space and with Ilya Sorokin firmly ensconced as their starter. Another option for the Leafs could come by way of unrestricted free agency in the form of Ville Husso.

The 27-year-old was a fourth-round pick of St. Louis in 2014 and spent two years in Finland and four years in the minors in North America. Husso was injured in 2019 when the Blues turned to Jordan Binnington and went on their run to the Stanley Cup, but he made his NHL debut in 2020.

With Binnington struggling last season, St. Louis began to give Husso more work in early January and leaned on him heavily late in the campaign. He finished with an impressive 25-7-6 record, 2.56 GAA and .919 save percentage. After starting the first three games against Minnesota, the Blues went back to Binnington, who carried them to victory and a lead against Colorado before being injured in Game 3.

Husso struggled against the Avs, giving up 16 goals in the last four games, as St. Louis was eliminated in six games. The Blues will likely not be able to equal what the 6’3…, 209 lb. netminder will make in free agency this summer, and have young prospect Joel Hofer to replace him as Binnington’s backup.

Dubas has to not only be concerned about Husso’s readiness to handle a primary workload, but also his ability to handle the pressure of the Toronto media market. Former Leaf Vesa Toskala had nearly double the amount of game experience before being acquired from San Jose and the much-deserved scrutiny was part of his downfall.

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