So the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t had a star goalie backstopping them since, what, Curtis Joseph 20 years ago? We’re talking about a game-changer back there, someone who steals games.
And when you are an organization that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since the Beatles were in studio recording Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, this is a big deal. The NHL schedule heads into crunch time with the trade deadline coming March 8, so it’s time for Ontario sports betting customers to be on the lookout for players on the move.
Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Situation
The current goaltending situation with the Leafs isn’t ideal. The goalie most people would pick as their No. 1, Joseph Woll, is out long term with an ankle injury. The most optimistic return date for Woll is some time in February. He just now is back on the ice practicing, and head coach Sheldon Keefe told Sportsnet this week of Woll, “he’s a ways away.”
Ilya Samsonov, signed last summer for one year, at $3.55 million, was in the minor leagues for a few weeks, until he was called back up to the big team Wednesday morning. Samsonov is a big question mark from a mental strength perspective and the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup odds reflect this situation.
Free agent signee Martin Jones (one year, $875,000) is currently the No. 1. Signing Jones was a nice piece of work this past offseason by general manager Brad Treliving, when looking at the team’s current situation. Jones is 8-3-0, with a 1.98 GAA, .932 save percentage and two shutouts.
In terms of salary cap, even with defenceman John Klingberg and his $4.15 million salary on long-term injury reserve (hip issue), the Leafs have a smidgeon of cap space to work with, with holes on defence the other high-priority item. According to CapFriendly as of Wednesday morning, the team’s current cap space is $34,999.
At NorthStar Bets Ontario Sportsbook, Toronto is +1250 to win its first Stanley Cup since 1967. The Colorado Avalanche are the favorite as of Thursday morning at +850.
Maple Leafs Goalie Acquisition Odds
The Maple Leafs might do well to trade for goaltending help, but will they be able to do so? Here are the goalies around the league that might be reasonable trade targets for Toronto, with their stats this season, average annual value (AAV) of their contract and length of their current deal.
Ontario Bets, your home for Ontario sportsbook apps, put together this list of odds-on favorites whom the Leafs might try to acquire. That’s if the team determines that Woll can’t make it back and a trade to bolster the goaltending is needed.
It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out through January and February. Keep an eye on Samsonov, who has been struggling with a 3.94 GAA and a .862 save percentage, when the Leafs throw him back in there. His last game was Dec. 29, an ugly 6-5 loss to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, where he faced just 21 shots.
The Leafs’ next game is Thursday night on the road against the New York Islanders. In the meantime, keep track of Stanley Cup odds with OntarioBets.com.
