For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs begin a critical stretch of three games in four nights with a visit to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers on Wednesday. The Leafs are coming off a traumatic 5-3 home loss to Florida and must rebound against the Broadway Blueshirts (who are well out of the Eastern Conference playoff race) before back-to-back weekend games against non-playoff opponents Anaheim and Montreal.
The Leafs face an uncertain future in goal with Frederik Andersen out day-to-day with a neck injury. Backup Michael Hutchinson will get the start at MSG on Wednesday, and the recalled Kasimir Kaskisuo will backup. Hutchinson has won his last four starts, but in relief appearances against Florida and Edmonton has allowed 10 goals on 36 shots.
“We’re focused on (Hutchinson) as a starter and he has been excellent in that regard,… Keefe said on Wednesday. “There are lots of reasons to be confident there. We just have to go out and play for him.…
Toronto GM Kyle Dubas may be looking to the trade market for help before the February 24th deadline, but according to Elliotte Friedman’s “31 Thoughts… , even though the Leafs will explore their options, they will not make a move for a goalie unless it is a significant upgrade and the cost is not high.
The injury to Andersen likely increases the asking price of teams with available backups, and they do not have the cap space to take on a rental with a big price tag like Ottawa’s Craig Anderson.
Anaheim veteran Ryan Miller would make some sense for Toronto. Miller has a .912 save percentage backing up John Gibson and makes just $1.125 Million on an expiring contract, but the 39-year-old has a modified no-trade clause (he has to provide the Ducks a six-team list where he is willing to go) and it is doubtful he would come back East after spending the last six years of his career on the West Coast.
Friedman believes that L.A. Kings backup Jack Campbell could be a target. The 28-year-old makes the league minimum $675,000 this season, agreed to a two-year, $3.3 Million extension before the start of the year and Dubas knows him from his days as GM in Sault Ste. Marie. The Kings have goaltending depth with youngster Cal Petersen in the AHL and the two clubs have traded before.
Last season, GM Rob Blake reportedly asked for Marlies forward Jeremy Bracco in the deal for Jake Muzzin and with Bracco growing restless in the AHL, he might be the piece that Toronto uses in a deal for a backup.
Toronto will make one lineup change on Wednesday, sitting inserting Dmytro Timashov for Frederik Gauthier and shifting Jason Spezza to the middle on the fourth line with Timashov and Trevor Moore. Gauthier was on the ice for Mark Pysyk’s second goal and Jonathan Huberdeau’s tying goal on Monday, as well as turning over the puck on the play where Frank Vatrano slammed into Andersen.
Igor Shesterkin will start in goal for New York.
*******
On last night’s setback.
— The Leafs Convo (@TheLeafsConvo) February 4, 2020
There is pod.
Enjoy. @MikeInBuffalo @IamNormanJames #LeafsForever #TheLeafsConvo https://t.co/xU3EzBMx1f
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******