If it's not Jack Campbell who should be the Leafs new #1 goalie?

[joeyjojojrshabadoo]

Mrazek/Hutchinson

just straight up Philadelphia flyers-it next year

 

[Ciao]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Scratch the Leafs

Why is that?

 

[Arthur Morgan]

just straight up Philadelphia flyers-it next year

Was wondering if a goalie cutout would be available. prob do a better job

 

[paulhiggins]

Without an insider on every team in the league, we will never really know everyone that might become available. There will be some surprises!

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

I don't think you're totally off base whatsoever. I've thought that Mrazek being given a look and second chance isn't the worst option. So long as he is insulated with another goalie who could step in as a #1 if he falters -- Fleury or Holtby types. He looked horrible last year and maybe he continues going full Toskala. But seeing him prior in Detroit and Carolina, there is some potential there, in that he isn't as bad as he looked last year. Not a 60-game type, but 45 to 50 games if in a rhythm isn't far fetched.

If the Leafs were flush with cap space, then yeah, I'd be inclined to go big on a goalie. But with limited room to wiggle with all the while trying to plug other holes, you hope to strengthen other areas to lessen the weakness of the other (goalie).

Granted, I know full well going in with shaky goaltending, especially a hopeful Cup contending team, is not the best of options.

 

[colchar]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

The problem with this is that is he doesn't rebound they are stuck with crap goaltending for two more years, ones that bring the stars closer to the end of their deals.

 

[67Cup]

Goalies are really hard to predict but career record is probably a better predictor than the previous season. Mrazek has a career as good or better than many of the speculaTed options. Yes, he was bad last season, but his injuries are a partial explanation. The most cost effective response, in money and or in player assets, might be to give him another chance. If he flops, buy him out or send him to Robidas Island. But I certainly agree there has to be a more or less dependable alternative on the roster!

My Battered Leafs Fan Syndrome (BALFS) fear is that the Leafs will buy him out, somebody else signs him for league minimum and he has a career season, ending up as a Vezina finalist!

 

[Ciao]

The problem with this is that is he doesn't rebound they are stuck with crap goaltending for two more years, ones that bring the stars closer to the end of their deals.

Please remind me of the available goaltenders that don't have a performance risk.

I would like the Leafs to have one of them next season.

 

[Mess]

Maybe Lou Lam will save the day and Joseph Woll whom he drafted (round 3 #62 overall 2016 NHL Entry Draft) in the same draft as Auston Matthews, and he will go on to be the Leafs goalie of the future.

He seems like the best drafted and developed prospect in the system to perhaps be Leafs future in net and heir apparent to Jack Campbell.

He dressed for 4 games last year in 2021-22 going 3-1 record with 2.76 GAA & 0.911 sv% including 1 shutout.

 

[saltming]

Maybe Lou Lam will save the day and Joseph Woll whom he drafted (round 3 #62 overall 2016 NHL Entry Draft) in the same draft as Auston Matthews, and he will go on to be the Leafs goalie of the future.

He seems like the best drafted and developed prospect in the system to perhaps be Leafs future in net and heir apparent to Jack Campbell.

He dressed for 4 games last year in 2021-22 going 3-1 record with 2.76 GAA & 0.911 sv% including 1 shutout.

I still have hopes for Woll panning out. He is still young. Hopefully you're right on this as Lou does have an eye for goalies.

Maybe start with a tandem with Woll to insulate him?

 

[Ciao]

I still have hopes for Woll panning out. He is still young. Hopefully you're right on this as Lou does have an eye for goalies.

Maybe start with a tandem with Woll to insulate him?

I like this route much better than the others.

I would rather the Leafs try to grow their own talent at all positions, including goaltender.

 

[thinkblue]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

Kyper this morning suggested the same, the Leafs arent thrilled with the market and they're contemplating staying internal to start the season - Mrazek + Woll/Kallgren

 

[saltming]

I like this route much better than the others.

I would rather the Leafs try to grow their own talent at all positions, including goaltender.

While I agree I would also like some security at the position.
We also have Mackay signed to an AHL deal and his potential is very good

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Kyper this morning suggested the same, the Leafs arent thrilled with the market and they're contemplating staying internal to start the season - Mrazek + Woll/Kallgren

Scary

I just don't see it though.

Mrazek can't stay healthy. 20 games last season and 12 the season before that.

Dubas wants to keep his job, and so does Shanny.

 

[ACC1224]

Kyper this morning suggested the same, the Leafs arent thrilled with the market and they're contemplating staying internal to start the season - Mrazek + Woll/Kallgren

I said a few weeks ago not to be surprised if they start the year with Mrazek as the #1.

 

[Mess]

I still have hopes for Woll panning out. He is still young. Hopefully you're right on this as Lou does have an eye for goalies.

Maybe start with a tandem with Woll to insulate him?

Some people believe moving on from Mrazek is a guarantee, but we may well see him back, and Leafs grooming a future young goalie in the system, and since we are moving on to a new goalie coach as well, it seems there is some management focus on internal drafting and developing in their game plan.

 

[saltming]

Some people believe moving on from Mrazek is a guarantee, but we may well see him back, and Leafs grooming a future young goalie in the system, and since we are moving on to a new goalie coach as well, it seems there is some management focus on internal drafting and developing in their game plan.

I'm not one of the Mrazek haters. He had an injury prone season, which makes 2 in a row I believe and if so, his health worries me.
If he's not healthy to be there for a full season to support a rookie tender, we should replace him with a vet that's more durable.
As for Sanford, I welcome him aboard and hope he does well. I'm also tickled pink Briere is gone.
Despite the panic in leafs land we do have some good goalie prospect and if we can develop them right, the team will be much better rounded and stable for a while to come

 

[ToneDog]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

Listening to Kyper podcast and he is saying word is Leafs might start the season with a tandem of Mrazek and Woll/Kallgren and then look for a goalie. LOL.

Sam McKee asks what do you when Mrazek blows his groin a couple of weeks into the season. LOL.

As bad as it sounds, it is something that makes sense. Dubas would be betting one of his job lives on it.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Every single person on this board will be glad that I'm not the Leafs' GM because at the moment I really don't see a better option than Petr Mrazek at a cap hit of $3.8 million for the next two years. I know I'm going to get booed off the stage and shown the door here.

The Leafs already have Mrazek. There is no acquisition cost other than the use of cap space to get him, and there is no disposition cost to keeping him on the roster.

Mrazek is an established NHL goalie who is coming off a short, injury-plagued, bad season. The Leafs target free agents who are coming off an injury, had a bad season or didn't get an opportunity to play. Mrazek checks two of those three boxes, and if he weren't already under contract would be just the type of undervalued free-agent the Leafs might pursue.

Mrazek has had an up-and-down career. His short stint with the Philadelphia Flyers was very similar statistically to his last season with the Leafs. After bombing in Philadelphia at the tail end of 2017-18, he came back to have some good seasons after that. There is no reason to think he can't do that again. Mrazek could very well be the sleeper among the Leafs' goaltending candidates. If he performs -- a big "if", mind you -- he also comes at a reasonable price.

Most importantly, I don't really see a "sure bet" or much else in the way of better alternatives among the other candidates. Performance wise, every single one of them have ?'s including Jack Campbell, Ville Husso, Marc Andre Fleury, John Gibson, Mackenzie Blackwood and all the others. There are no dead ringers among this group of goaltenders. The really good ones just aren't available.

If the Leafs weren't already committed to Mrazek, I don't think he would be anyone's first choice coming off the season he just had. However, when you look at the alternatives, I don't know that I see a clear upgrade that would justify the cost in terms of cap space and hockey assets to dump Mrazek and take a chance on a different goaltender.

If there were a very clear upgrade available I would definitely change my mind.

If anyone else thinks that one or more of the available goalies is the answer – and you are right about that – then I would entirely agree that spending the cap space and hockey assets to acquire that player would be the right answer.

However, when I look at everything my honest opinion is "none of the above." I'm thinking that sometimes the best change is no change at all. I just don't see anything that definitely puts the Leafs in a better place.

It's a shame that we don't have a "thumbs down" button because I know that I would get a great many of those for my opinion here today.

Well one thing is for sure .. he does have a toilet seat history of producing good years followed by stinkers .. maybe he showed us da stinker last year .. and maybe this year he shows good form again .. congrats on winning da pool last season

 

[RoadWarrior]

Maybe Lou Lam will save the day and Joseph Woll whom he drafted (round 3 #62 overall 2016 NHL Entry Draft) in the same draft as Auston Matthews, and he will go on to be the Leafs goalie of the future.

He seems like the best drafted and developed prospect in the system to perhaps be Leafs future in net and heir apparent to Jack Campbell.

He dressed for 4 games last year in 2021-22 going 3-1 record with 2.76 GAA & 0.911 sv% including 1 shutout.

I think Woll or Kallgren are the perfect backups but there's no way they're ready to start 50 games next season. I'm not even sure Campbell is ready for 50 games but he's more ready than those two rookies.

I would say Casey DeSmith from Pitts or Husso from St.Louis are probably the next best choices after Campbell. You could throw in Comrie from Winnipeg as well.

For vets you have to go with Holtby or MA Fleury as they're playoff tested.

Ideally you have one vet paired with a young starter. Like last season except they don't flop like Mrazek.

 

[Ciao]

Well one thing is for sure .. he does have a toilet seat history of producing good years followed by stinkers .. maybe he showed us da stinker last year .. and maybe this year he shows good form again .. congrats on winning da pool last season

Much thanks.

Even a blind squirrel finds the odd nut.

Probably my biggest triumph since winning the hockey pool thirty-some years ago in second-year law school. I picked Barry Pedersen then, in the tenth round. He was my ringer.

 

[Ciao]

I was always impressed that Pat Gillick said when they picked up Tom Hencke off the Texas Rangers the Blue Jays were looking at his skills, not his record.

I was very unimpressed when Alex Anthopolous traded Noah Syndergaard for R.J. Dickie, coming off Dickie's late-career Cy Young award because I thought the Jays did the opposite: valuing Dickie's past performance over Syndergard's skills.

I don't really care what different goalies have done here or there in this or other places. I want professional scouts and managers to settle on goaltenders based on skills and future potential more than anything else.

If they can find a ringer, that's always worth the investment. I'm just not seeing one, based on my very limited knowledge.

 

[hotpaws]

Listening to Kyper podcast and he is saying word is Leafs might start the season with a tandem of Mrazek and Woll/Kallgren and then look for a goalie. LOL.

Sam McKee asks what do you when Mrazek blows his groin a couple of weeks into the season. LOL.

As bad as it sounds, it is something that makes sense. Dubas would be betting one of his job lives on it.

sure , why not go with Pistol Pete as our starter , it's not my job on the line , lol

 

[ToneDog]

sure , why not go with Pistol Pete as our starter , it's not my job on the line , lol

Unfortunately the way MLSEL works, is his job on the line ?? Hell he might be promoted to Senior GM next year after his 5th first round exit.