Leafs sign goaltender to entry-level contract deal
Sometimes things just line up. The Leafs were completely full with 50 NHL contracts on the books, meaning they couldn't sign another player even if they had the cap space. With Nicholas Aube-Kubel being claimed on waivers today, the Leafs managed to free up a contract slot.
Just hours after Aube-Kubel was claimed, the Leafs faced off against the league leading Boston Bruins. During the 2nd period, Brad Marchand was awarded a penalty shot after being hauled down by T.J. Brodie. Samsonov stumbled after biting on Marchand's fake, and twisted his knee awkwardly when he reached back in desperation trying to make the save. Samsonov finished the 2nd period, but left the game during the intermission. Erik Källgren was solid in relief as the Leafs' defense rallied around him to preserve a 2-1 win against the NHL's top team.
Now that the Leafs are down 2 goaltenders, 3 if you count Joseph Woll, their only other option under an NHL contract was Denis Hildeby, who is on loan to his SHL club in Sweden. Enter Keith Petruzzelli. Currently the starting goaltender for the Marlies, Petruzzelli has been signed by the Leafs and promoted to the big leagues. Through 6 games with the Marlies this season, Petruzzelli is 6-0-0 with a .922sv%. Those are some solid stats for a 5th string goaltender - especially one who spent most of last season with the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers.
Petruzzelli's 2-year ELC gives the Leafs a ton of flexibility between the pipes. He will be waiver exempt for 3 years or 60 games played. With Petruzelli signed, the Leafs are back at the NHL's contract limit of 50, just 10 hours after opening up the contract slot. That's either a heck of a coincidence or a heck of a gut feeling move from Dubas. Petruzzelli will travel to Carolina with the team, but Källgren is still pencilled in to start the game. We'll have to wait a little longer to see Petruzzelli's Leafs debut.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 6 | 389 ANSWERS Leafs sign goaltender to entry-level contract deal How many games will Keith Petruzzelli play for the Leafs this season? | ||
| 1-5 | 240 | 61.7 % |
| 6-10 | 90 | 23.1 % |
| 11-15 | 28 | 7.2 % |
| More than 15 | 31 | 8 % |
| List of polls | ||
