The backup plan

Hutchinson now No. 2 in Leafs goal after Neuvirth exits

For now, at least, there is no competition at Maple Leafs camp for the backup role behind starting goaltender Frederik Andersen.

The oft-injured Michal Neuvirth on Tuesday was released by the Leafs from his professional tryout, further securing Michael Hutchinson’s spot on the depth chart.

“Hutch is a good kid,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “Hutch works real hard. I thought Hutch played well last night ( in a 3- 0 pre-season win in Montreal).

“The biggest thing is, you have to work together and make sure that we have a good stable backup so that we’re in a position we can start him at any time and not worry about it and know you have an opportunity to win.

“That’s the biggest challenge. You have to win games. The division is going to be real tight. Some teams have got better and we know there is a challenge there, so we need good goaltending.”

Does Babcock see potential in Hutchinson to be that guy?

“That’s what we’re hoping for and we’re betting on that,” Babcock said.

Babcock said he was not involved in the decision to release Neuvirth, though the move was not overly surprising. Neuvirth missed the early days of camp with an undisclosed injury, and though he showed well in two periods in Buffalo against the Sabres last Saturday, was unable to resume practising after a day off on Sunday.

The Leafs recalled Kasimir Kaskisuo, who had been sent to the Toronto Marlies. Joseph Woll remains with the Leafs, as well.

Expect Hutchinson to back up Andersen on Wednesday against the visiting Canadiens when the Leafs dress what likely will be their opening-night roster.

Hutchinson has 111 NHL games on his resume, including five with the Leafs last season. Despite his experience, there remains the possibility the Leafs will scour the waiver wire with the possibility of making a claim, if not make a trade.

Chatter among NHL general managers is believed to be heating up where goalies are involved, but it’s not clear if that’s an avenue that Kyle Dubas will explore.

Against Montreal on Monday, Hutchinson made 38 saves.

“With age you get experience in that ( backup) role, and lot of it comes from having that self- confidence,” the 29- year- old Hutchinson said. “When you’re younger, it’s tough when you’re not playing every game to try to stay fully confident.

“You get in games sometimes and you try to force things a little too much. That’s one of the things I have realized as I have got older, is it doesn’t matter if you’re playing every night or every other night. If you come to the rink with that confidence that you’re going to play and have success, then it’s going to turn out more often than not (in your favour).”

Not that it’s news that the backup position is crucial, but the Leafs got a harsh reminder last season when Garret Sparks, later traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, proved to be unworthy.

Making matters worse, Curtis Mcelhinney, who was sharp in the role for the Leafs in 2017-18, was lost on waivers to the Carolina Hurricanes and shone for his new team, winning 20 games. Mcelhinney turned his success last season into a two-year, Us$2.6-million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nothing changes for Hutchinson in the wake of the Neuvirth release.

“Not at all,” Hutchinson said. “When he was here, I was focusing on myself and doing what I could to earn the guys’ trust, work hard in practice and that doesn’t change.”