Leafs move depth goaltender ahead of the deadline
With the trade deadline looming, we're sure to see plenty of movement from around the NHL. In Toronto, the biggest piece of business has already been handled with the acquisition of Ryan O'Reilly from the St. Louis Blues, along with depth forward Noel Acciari last Friday. Still, even with the biggest deal already having been completed, there's still work to be done.
Now, just one week later, the Leafs' goaltending depth has been slightly reduced after the Buds' AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies have traded a goaltender to another AHL club. Per the Marlies' official Twitter account, the team has traded G Dylan Ferguson to the Belleville Senators - the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators.
Ferguson had been with the Marlies on a PTO most of the year, but signed a 1-year deal for the remainder of this season this week. This deal likely had more to do with finding Ferguson a landing spot that would give him the opportunity to play more regularly. He was buried on the depth chart in Toronto, with Joseph Woll, Erik Kallgren and Keith Petruzzelli eating up most of the minutes this season.
The Leafs also have Luke Cavallin and reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Dryden McKay playing splitting most of the starts in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers, which hasn't left a lot of room for Ferguson to get his work in and test his metal in game action. This move to Belleville should give him a little bit better of an opportunity to play.
Ferguson has played just 5 games this season - all for the Marlies - posting a 2-2-0 record to go along with a 3.12 GAA and a .888 SV%. Best of luck to him on this next chapter of his young career.
