Green Bay Packers quarterback. Montreal Canadiens goaltender. Brazil's top striker. New York Yankees manager. Montreal Canadiens' general manager. Alabama football coach.
Some sports jobs come with heavy pressure built in.
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie has joined that list in recent years. Big market. Historic team. Large media contingent. Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell can testify to the pressure of that employment opportunity.
That's why my list of players facing added pressure in 2022-23 starts with the Toronto goalie: 1. Goalie Matt Murray, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have anointed Murray as the goalie who can get them out of the first round of the playoffs. The question: Is he still goalie who helped the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016-17? Also, can he stay healthy? This feels more like a test run than a solution. Maybe he's the answer, maybe not. But there's pressure on him to establish himself immediately. He has Ilya Samsonov waiting in the wings.
2. Wing Andrew Mangiapane, Calgary Flames
When the dealing was done, the Calgary Flames strengthened themselves at center with Nazem Kadri. But they lost two wingers (Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau) and only brought back one in return (Jonathan Huberdeau). That gives Mangiapane an expanded role in the top six. But with greater responsibility comes greater pressure.
3. Goalie Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers
Goaltending has been holding this franchise back. Campbell was signed with the hope that he will help this team climb over the hump in the playoffs. He's been playing in Toronto. Thus, he understands the pressure associated with being a contending team. Campbell has the potential to be a standout performer.
4. Goalie Logan Thompson, Vegas Golden Knights
Starting goalie Robin Lehner is gone for the season because of a hip injury. Rather than acquire a big name goalie, the Golden Knights, for now, seem willing to give Thompson a shot at carrying the load with Michael Hutchinson. He played impressively late last season, but it was a small sample size.
5. Coach Jim Montgomery, Boston Bruins
When coaches secure an NHL job, they are usually taking over a weak team. That's not true in Montgomery's case. He is taking over an aging contender. The window won't be open much longer. This could be Patrice Bergeron's last season. David Krejci also won't stay around long. He faces immediate pressure to give this Bruins team a chance to win immediately.
6. Center Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
He's finally healthy. The expectation is that he will prove he is one of the top centers in the game. The Golden Knights gave up plenty to acquire him. Robin Lehner is gone for the season and the team has other injuries. Eichel has pressure on him to roar out of the starting blocks this season. 7. General manager Lou Lamoriello, New York Islanders
He's a legendary figure in NHL history. But he hasn't done anything yet this offseason to improve his team. The team's fan base is waiting for him to make a bold move.
8. Defenseman Brent Burns, Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes acquired him with the hope that he can be one of the final pieces to transform them into a Stanley Cup champion. It's been a while since he played for a contender. He's 37, but the Hurricanes are expecting him to be an impact performer.