For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The resumption of the NHL regular season and/or the Stanley Cup Playoffs may be in question, but that is not going to prevent us at Hockeybuzz from providing daily content for our readers. We will continue to provide you with updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the season, but we will also report on news specific to the Toronto Maple Leafs and reflect on the club’s season and player performances through 70 games. Today we will start with player report cards of the Leafs goaltenders, not including the one game stint of Kasimir Kaskisuo or Michael Hutchinson, who was traded to Colorado on deadline day.
Frederik Andersen
Andersen is arguably the Leafs most important player, since a below average performance likely results in a Toronto loss. The Leafs starter once again had issues with consistency in October, but bounced back in November and December with a 14-6-2 record, a 2.50 goals-against average and .921 save percentage that propelled the big Dane to his first All-Star appearance.
Frederik Andersen with an incredible save pic.twitter.com/PPU0p3qbR1
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2020
A combination of injuries to the blueline and the club’s mediocre defensive play were a large factor in Andersen’s struggles in January and February (3.54 GAA, .889 save percentage) and a neck injury caused him to miss nearly two weeks, but in his two March starts against Los Angeles and Tampa, the Leafs starter returned to form.
The acquisition of a stable backup in Jack Campbell gave head coach Sheldon Keefe more confidence in giving Andersen a night off on the West Coast trip, which may help him play more consistently in the future.
Grade - B
Jack Campbell
The backup situation has been a crisis since GM Kyle Dubas chose to waive veteran Curtis McElhinney in favor of Garret Sparks in October 2018. Sparks was a dismal failure, the chronically-injured Michal Neuvirth was signed to a professional tryout and could not stay healthy and in six starts, Kasimir Kaskisuo was left abandoned in his NHL debut and Michael Hutchinson could not play at the level necessary to cover up the Leafs defensive inadequacies.
Toronto’s 4-10-1 record without Andersen in goal forced Dubas to deal California native Trevor Moore and a pair of future draft picks to the LA Kings for veteran winger Kyle Clifford and goalie Jack Campbell.
What a save from Jack Campbell, the kid is the real deal. pic.twitter.com/tDJJRQ0GdN
— Leafs ALL Day (@LeafsAllDayy) February 16, 2020
The Port Huron, MI native found himself as an NHL goalie with the Kings after struggling through the Dallas organization for five years. Campbell had a stellar season with Los Angeles in 2018-19 in place of the injured Jonathan Quick, but the Kings had the luxury of an NHL-ready Cal Petersen playing in the AHL.
The 28-year-old is signed for two more seasons at a reasonable $1.65 Million AAV, has the affable nature perfect for a backup and has displayed the abilities to steal a game when his club needs it. Campbell was 3-0-1 while Andersen recuperated and was not at fault for losses to San Jose and Anaheim during the Leafs disastrous West Coast swing. Grade - B+ *******
We’ve got each other.
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) March 15, 2020
The pod. On pod. Enjoy.#TheLeafsConvo @MikeInBuffalo @TheLeafsConvo https://t.co/UZLKpic92F