Report: The Leafs appear to have a number one target in mind this summer if Campbell walks
The Leafs, as we all know, are facing huge decisions this summer, most notably in goal. Do they pony up what it will take to sign the 30-year-old Jack Campbell to a big money deal, or do they let yet another key piece walk in free agency, much the way they watched Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen walk last summer?
Should Campbell walk as a UFA, the Leafs will not be without options, as there are a few interesting names who are expected to be available this summer, including Darcy Kuemper, who is currently entrenched in a battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals. In addition, the likes of 3-time Cup winner and 18-year NHL veteran Marc-Andre Fleury and 27-year-old Ville Husso could be had on the open market.
Husso is a particularly interesting name for the Leafs after the Finnish netminder wrestled away the starting job from Jordan Binnington during the regular season, putting together stretches of brilliance over 40 appearances for the St. Louis Blues, en route to a 25-7-6 record, to go along with a 2.56 GAA and an admirable .919 save percentage. On Friday, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta revealed that if the Leafs lose out on Campbell, Husso could be their man.
"You're probably looking at $3M-$4M for [Husso] on a 3-4 year contract. Edmonton, New Jersey - if the Leafs lose out on Campbell, he's gonna be a target for them. You've got Buffalo and Chicago kind of there as well, but if you're looking at some of the other options, Edmonton, Toronto, that would probably be ahead for him."
The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta on Ville Husso's likely UFA deal and list of potential destinations
The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta on Ville Husso's likely UFA deal and list of potential destinations
It was reported earlier this week that the Leafs and Campbell's agent, Kurt Overhardt, have opened negotiations and have been making some slow progress on a potential deal, so it's not a foregone conclusion that the Leafs won't get a deal done to bring Campbell back to Toronto next season. But if they do come up short on Campbell, it looks as though Husso may be the subject of a serious push from the Buds this summer.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 17 | 790 ANSWERS Report: The Leafs appear to have a number one target in mind this summer if Campbell walks Who will the Leafs sign this summer if Campbell walks? | ||
| Fleury | 163 | 20.6 % |
| Kuemper | 137 | 17.3 % |
| Husso | 270 | 34.2 % |
| Other/they'll trade for someone else | 220 | 27.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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