The Leafs' most important summer addition that almost nobody is talking about
Following another disappointing 1st round exit this past May, there was a pretty substantial demand for sweeping changes in Toronto. A lot of the fanbase were calling for one of the Core 4 to be traded or for GM Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe to be replaced. Naturally, none of these things actually occurred and while the true measurement for success will be what the Buds do in the playoffs this season, the decision to hold on to their core pieces, coach and GM looks like a good one just past the quarter-mark of the season.
Nevertheless, we knew there were going to be changes. The most substantial alterations came in the team's bottom-six and, most notably, in the crease. The Leafs moved out the final two years of Petr Mrazek's deal and allowed Jack Campbell to walk via free agency, replacing them with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov. These changes were significant, but they may not be the most significant move in the goaltending department. In my opinion, the best decision the Leafs made this summer was relieving former goalie coach Steve Briere and replacing him with Curtis Sanford.
Following the Leafs' moves to bring in Murray and Samsonov, the two netminders got right to work with Sanford, using some cutting-edge training techniques, such as using special puck-tracking tools like peripheral vision limiting goggles to help track pucks a little better. They also worked on proper positioning to help limit the amount of risky, acrobatic saves that netminders are known for making. The result so far has been a calm, collected positionally sound tandem who can track pucks and not lose their cool. Samsonov and Murray have been poised, focused and dialed in early, as was Erik Kallgren, who seems to have seen significant improvement over what we saw from him last season. Most or all of this has come as a result of the techniques that Sanford employs.
At the moment, the Leafs currently have two of the top goaltenders in the league and the NHL's top tandem in terms of save percentage AND goals against average. Murray currently sits 2nd in the league with a .932 SV%, while Samsonov sits not far behind with a .924 SV%. As far as GAA goes, Murray sits 6th in the league with a 2.34 GAA, while Samsonov sits 2nd with a 2.09 GAA, behind only Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark, who holds a 1.93 GAA.
Part of the reason for the drastic improvement for the Leafs in the goaltending department this year is Sanford's belief that the NHL's skaters play an entirely different sport than NHL goaltenders. He employs a lot of different training methods and strength & conditioning exercises that maximize a goalie's performance rather than just adopting the other methods that are out there. It's been truly groundbreaking, and the Leafs are reaping the benefits of his techniques and not enough people are talking about it. So, while the additions of Murray and Samsonov were certainly important, I think we should also acknowledge Kyle Dubas' decision to put his faith in the skills and abilities of Curtis Sanford, who has been every bit as pivotal to the team's success as the Leafs' excellent goaltending tandem themselves - possibly even more vital.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 287 ANSWERS The Leafs' most important summer addition that almost nobody is talking about How much credit does Curtis Sanford deserve for the job he's done so far in Toronto? | ||
| All of the credit | 39 | 13.6 % |
| Most of the credit | 103 | 35.9 % |
| Some of the credit | 119 | 41.5 % |
| It's all Murray and Sammy making him look good | 26 | 9.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
