With the early successes of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll in goal, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth is generating a lot of trade buzz.
Don’t look now, but all of a sudden the Toronto Maple Leafs are the envy of the NHL with their depth in between the pipes.
Anthony Stolarz has been spectacular, Joseph Woll has been very solid, and their depth netminders and rookies continue to impress in their respective leagues.
With Woll and Stolarz both signed through next year, the Leafs’ goaltending depth has generated a lot of trade buzz, and NHL insider Nick Kypreos believes one of them will be moved ahead of the trade deadline.
‘Lots of teams are eyeing the Leafs’ depth in net beyond the tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Odds are Toronto will move one of [their depth goaltenders] before the trade deadline.’
That depth includes veteran Matt Murray and prospects Artur Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby, all of whom are currently thriving for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. They also have prospect Vyacheslav Peksa, who is currently playing in the ECHL.
Murray is trying to turn back the clock and rejuvenate his career after injuries have brought him down in recent years. He currently holds a 2-1-2 record with a 2.35 GAA and a .914 SV% in 5 games.
Akhtyamov is pacing the depth goaltenders with 7 games, a 6-0-1 record, a 1.68 GAA, and a .935 SV%, while Hildeby is 2-0-2 with a 2.40 GAA and a .910 SV% since rejoining the Marlies after his early-season stint with the Maple Leafs. Hildeby had been with the Leafs as a backup while Woll was on injured reserve.
Goaltending is always very hard to solidify because of how most teams covet the position. However, teams like Carolina and Colorado, for instance, might pay a pretty penny with the former dealing with injuries to both netminders and the latter not fully trusting their presumed starter in Alexander Georgiev.
As for the Maple Leafs, they don’t have to make a move if they don’t see the need. Stolarz and Woll have done a splendid job at the NHL-level, despite health concerns and question marks surrounding their inexperience.
However, if teams come knocking and are willing to pay a hefty price, you absolutely have to listen. Murray seems like the best bet to move considering he’s a veteran with 2 Stanley Cup rings and doesn’t necessarily fit the future plans in Toronto.
In saying that, if they do plan on moving on from either Akhtyamov or Hildeby, it would net them the best overall package – perhaps including an impact piece to help their post-season run and then some.
Nevertheless, it is going to be very interesting to see how things shake out as we inch closer to the trade deadline. If the Maple Leafs want to add to their forwards or defensive corps, they have a few options to make a trade materialize.