Maple Leafs sign Anderson, bring back Hutchinson

Toronto adds depth to pair of critical areas

The Maple Leafs settled two contractual issues on Friday aimed at helping depth up front and in net.

They signed their remaining restricted free agent, forward Joey Anderson, and in a surprise move, brought back unrestricted goaltender Michael Hutchinson.

Anderson, obtained from New Jersey in the recent cap- clearing trade for Andreas Johnsson, inked a three- year extension, twoway in the first two seasons with an NHL average annual value of US$750,000.

When last seen around Toronto in February, Hutchinson had hit a wall with a series of subpar performances, cleared waivers, was demoted to the AHL Marlies and then traded to Colorado for defenceman Calle Rosen. He picked himself up with a couple of playoff wins for the Avs. With the Leafs looking for veteran insurance on the farm. he agreed to a two- year, two- way deal of $725,000 AAV.

Anderson is a former third- round pick of Jersey, projected as a Zach Hyman- type forward, capable of playing in the bottom six. The 22- year- old split last season between the Devils and their farm team. In 18

NHL games, the Minnesotan had four goals and two assists and in 53 career games, managed eight goals and five helpers.

Hutchinson, once Frederik Andersen’s backup and briefly a No. 1 when the latter was hurt, would now be fourth on Toronto’s goalie chart under Andersen, Jack Campbell and Aaron Dell. But the Leafs are protecting themselves in case they lose Dell on waivers whenever the NHL starts up again and need one veteran goalie on the farm with prospects Joseph Woll and Ian Scott not yet ready. With Hutchinson now under contract for 202122, he’s also the likely goalie the Leafs make available for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft next summer, with Dell only signed for one year.

Hutchinson started well for Toronto a couple of years ago when Garret Sparks was let go, but lost four of his final five decisions in 201920, leading the Leafs to acquire Campbell from the L. A. Kings. Carrying a season record of 4- 9-1 with an .886 save percentage to Denver, Hutchinson won his first game for the Avs on his 30th birthday, March 2, against Detroit. He then appeared in four playoff games against Arizona and Dallas, winning an elimination game versus the Stars for his first ever post-season victory.

The Barrie native, who also started in Winnipeg and was briefly in Florida, has a career record of 51-52-14 and a .905 save percentage.