Will Leafs’ changes make a difference?
As the NHL playoffs draw closer, it will become evident which teams made the right decisions at the March 9 trade deadline.
The Toronto Maple Leafs added rugged defenceman Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals, brought back defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks and acquired depth forward Connor Dewar from the Minnesota Wild.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving decided to move forward toward the post-season with the goaltending platoon of Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov. Whether or not the combination translates into post-season success remains to be seen.
Woll, a former 2016 third-round draft choice, developed nicely with the Leafs AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies. He’s the prototypical NHL goaltender, combining great size with excellent lateral mobility. He plays a very quiet, technically sound game.
Woll has been steady for the Leafs this season, posting a 2.87 goalsagainst average and .910 save percentage with 11 wins. He was providing very serviceable No. 1 minutes for the Leafs until he went down with a high ankle sprain on Dec. 7 against the Ottawa Senators. He is also on a team friendly contract at $766,667 (U.S.) through the 202425 season.
The Leafs were fortunate goaltender Martin Jones, a veteran of more than 460 NHL games, was able to come up from the Marlies. Jones, who led the San Jose Sharks to the 2016 Stanley Cup final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, provided stability. He posted 11 wins, a 2.71 GAA and .907 save percentage over 20 games. The ability to go to Jones during a time of need for the Leafs proved to be crucial. Jones is not far removed from a 2022-23 season in which he racked up 27 wins in 48 games for the Seattle Kraken.
The Leafs have a solid prospect in six-foot-seven Dennis Hildeby plying his trade with the Marlies. It was a smart decision by the Leafs to groom Hildeby in the minors as he gets accustomed to playing professional hockey in North America.
When it comes to dissecting the play of Russian goaltender Samsonov, most Leafs fans would agree it has been a whirlwind of emotions. There were times earlier in the season where Samsonov appeared to have a complete lack of confidence. This was on display on Dec. 29 at Nationwide Arena in a 6-5 overtime loss. Samsonov stopped only 15 of 21 Blue Jackets shots and his body language was concerning.
The best goalies combine great athleticism with an incredible amount of confidence and mental strength. The position is not for everyone.
Leafs management demoted Samsonov to the Marlies for a week to give him a break from being under the microscope. He did not appear in any games for the Marlies, but mentally reset and the move appeared to be a brilliant idea by the Leafs’ brass.
Samsonov returned to the Leafs in early January and his play has been steady and dependable. He was 12-3 in the first 15 games after his return.
Treliving has put his trust in Woll, who has not played more than 32 games in a season in his young professional career, and Samsonov, who has proven to be inconsistent throughout his NHL career after being taken in the first round of the 2015 NHL entry draft by the Washington Capitals.
It’s unknown if Treliving kicked the tires on Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom is a goaltender who Treliving is very familiar with as he was previously the GM of the Flames. The 34-year-old is a dependable starter and has proven that over his 476 career NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks and Flames.
Markstrom is an intimidating goaltender at six feet six inches tall, 207 pounds, and is also very efficient at handling the puck, as indicated by his career-high five assists this season.
With the salary cap going up at the end of the season and Markstrom having two years left on his contract, he could have been a great addition for the Leafs. Markstrom will have a $6-million cap hit over each of the next two seasons.
It would have forced Treliving to give up quality assets to the Flames as well as move out a contract or two. It would have been more than likely Samsonov going to the Flames to make the dollars work and possibly a quality young player such as ex-Pete Nick Robertson. Markstrom is still a Flame despite rumours that the New Jersey Devils were vying for his services.
Now Leafs fans can only hope Woll or Samsonov gets hot at the right time and leads the Leafs on a long playoff run.