Kyle Dubas reveals why he didn't trade for a goaltender
Goaltending will likely be what decides the Leafs' fate this season and it appears as though either Dubas has faith in his guys after not trading for a goalie at the deadline or that there was simply no clear cut upgrade available.
The goalie market thinned out quickly. Anton Forsberg was extended by Ottawa and names like Braden Holtby and James Reimer weren't traded. Other than Marc-Andre Fleury, no goalies that would move the needle for the Leafs were traded at the deadline and today, and shortly after the deadline had passed Kyle Dubas revealed why the Leafs didn't go after a goalie.
The Leafs could've benefitted from adding Marc-Andre Fleury but their 2023 and 2024 2nd round picks were traded for Mark Giordano and a conditional 2025 2nd was traded along with Nick Ritchie for Ilya Lyubushkin. Dubas was adamant on not trading a 1st round pick for a rental, which means he didn't have the assets for the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, unless he wanted to overpay.
The Leafs will rely on one of Jack Campbell, Erik Kallgren, or Petr Mrazek to carry them to the promise land. Mrazek cleared waivers today and has become a non-option for the Leafs in recent weeks, so until he sorts his game out, he'll likely post up either with the Marlies or on the bench.
Kallgren has impressed in 4 appearances for the Leafs, including a shutout in his first start but there is some uncertainty with the rookie and a tough outing on Saturday in Nashville will test his confidence for sure.
Meanwhile, Jack Campbell's play did a full 180-degree turn after November when he went from one of the best to one of the worst starting goalies in the NHL, numbers-wise.
With the addition of Ilya Lyubushkin, Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell, the Leafs have the offence and defense to compete in the playoffs, but their goaltending will make or break this team when the games really start to matter in May. Let's hope one of the three best options in Toronto can go on a heater at the right time.
| POLL | ||
MARS 21 | 441 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas reveals why he didn't trade for a goaltender Should Dubas have gone after a goalie instead of Mark Giordano? | ||
| Absolutely | 123 | 27.9 % |
| No, defense was the right call | 318 | 72.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
