Goaltenders in the Maple Leafs’ repertoire, Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray, are all set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) on July 1.
Goaltenders in the Maple Leafs’ repertoire, Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray, are all set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) on July 1.
Though plenty of speculation regarding ‘next steps’ within the ‘Core Four’ has been drawn upon following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ opening-round series loss against the Boston Bruins three weeks ago, one area that must not be overlooked is the team’s goaltending room – which sees Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray, all set to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) on July 1.
With free agency right around the corner and the Leafs anticipating significant change up and down the lineup given their 12 free agents, goaltending has been viewed as a necessity in the eyes of general manager Brad Treliving going forward. As we’ve seen in plenty of lengthy postseason runs, strong goaltending is the key to fulfilling championship ambitions. Looking for a stable tandem to be paired with Joseph Woll, the Leafs will need to address their goaltender situation in one way or another.
All that being said, let’s discuss some viable options.
Jussi Saros, Nashville Predators (Trade)
Amid many rumors revolving around Mitch Marner departing from Toronto, one potential landing spot has been the Nashville Predators, centered around a deal for goaltender Jussi Saros. The Finnish netminder signed a four-year $20 million contract with the Nashville Predators on August 16, 2021, carrying a cap hit of $5 million a season – currently with one season remaining on his deal.
The situation with Saros is murky, to say the least. Preds general manager Barry Trotz has openly discussed the team’s desire to re-sign the 29-year-old to a new contract, but he’s been the topic of discussion since the trade deadline amid the upbringing of young goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov.
Saros, a goaltender in his prime, has a clean track record related to injuries or missing time – something the Leafs deeply need and desire. Paired with a healthy Joseph Woll, his stability would form a dangerous one-two punch in Toronto. Currently at a $5 million cap hit and lacking no-trade protection, he could without a doubt be an appealing attraction to go after.
On a team with not many expectations out of training camp, Saros carried the load and was a major factor in the Predators' success. Playing in 64 games in the 2023-24 regular season, he earned a respectable 34-24-5 record with a 2.86 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. In six postseason starts, he posted a 2-3-1 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and a 0.900 save percentage.
Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames (Trade)
As one of two ‘home run swings’ on this list, Jacob Markstrom can be viewed in a similar category as Saros in terms of a ‘legitimate starter’ to be paired with Woll at a cap hit of $6 million a season – signed until the end of the 2025-26 season. One thing to note, Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and would have the final say in any move that gained traction to Toronto.
Back at this year’s trade deadline, Markstrom was openly frustrated around the trade rumors circulating around him that saw many teams inquiring for his services, but Calgary opted to stay put. Plenty of speculation and trade buzz has been rumored about Markstrom, whose starter caliber talent is seemingly wanted on numerous teams across the league amid a weaker free agency class this offseason in the crease – leading to a potential move.
Despite being 34 years of age, he’s widely considered a dependable starting goaltender. Signed through the 2025-26 season, his presence would eliminate the ‘band-aid’ approach between the pipes that the Leafs have taken since the departure of Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell. If brought to Toronto, a team that is in need of a reliable goaltender, Markstrom is posed as a valid option if the price is right in terms of assets and salary.
In 48 games played with the Flames in the 2023-24 campaign, he netted a 23-23-2 record paired with a 2.78 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
Laurent Brossoit, Winnipeg Jets (Free Agency)
Laurent Brossoit is coming off a career year with the Winnipeg Jets, whom he signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract on July 1, 2023. Set to become an unrestricted free agent, Brossoit is a capable backup goaltender to be paired alongside Woll in Toronto – as he’s proven in previous backup roles in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas.
Brossoit, 31, has plenty of upside for a team tight up against the cap, but needing a reliable backbone to complement their starting netminder – he fits the Leafs’ mold. Following an impressive season behind Connor Hellebuyck, posting a 15-5-2 record with a 2.00 goals against average and a .927 save percentage, he is positioned to be a cheaper, but steady option for the Leafs to entertain.
Brossoit and Hellebuyck had the best save percentage in the NHL this season with a .923 SV%. The British Columbia native is garnering attention heading into July 1, as he quickly escalated into being considered league-wide as an ‘elite backup’ or a 1b starter – likely earning him a pay raise with the possibility of term, and a chance to solidify himself in a more prominent role.
Anthony Stolarz, Florida Panthers (Free Agency)
Florida Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been a stellar addition to goalie partner Sergei Bobrovsky this season. Stolarz signed a one-year $1.1 million contract with the Panthers on Jul. 1, 2023 – the fourth team of his NHL career.
In a similar situation to Brossoit/Hellebuyck, at 30 years of age, he will serve as a feasible 1b goalie who has experience on his resume, an appreciable option for Treliving who is looking to find an established netminder in this particular role to play alongside Woll in Toronto. In 27 appearances in the regular season in 2023-24, Stolarz had a notable record of 16-7-2, with a 2.03 goals against average and a .925 save percentage – eerily similar numbers to Brossoit of Winnipeg.
As an unrestricted free agent come July 1, he will be another cheap option as an excellent backup to any of the teams that target him because of his sturdy season. Although inexpensive, Stolarz is a competitive option for the Leafs – one that could be of great importance if he plays beyond the number beside the dollar symbol on his contract.
Cam Talbot, Los Angeles Kings (Free Agency)
With an underwhelming goalie pool in the 2024 free agency market, Los Angeles Kings netminder Cam Talbot remains to be one of the more promising veterans for teams to target – including the Leafs.
Talbot signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Kings on Jul. 1, 2023, and earned an additional $1 million after hitting the mark for games played as well as being named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game at the age of 36.
Overall, Talbot had a satisfying season and what can be considered as a ‘bounce back’ after a down year in Ottawa back in 2022-23. He played in the most games of his career since 2017-18 with the Edmonton Oilers and proved he still has gas left in the tank after a 27-20-6 record along with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in the regular season.
Talbot is serviceable and would come at a much slimmer price in comparison to other goalies named on this list. Affordability, consistency, and playoff experience throughout his nearly 500 games in the NHL could be worth striking a deal in Toronto for Woll to learn from and have as his backup – who’s to say he couldn’t replicate his 2023-24 campaign?
Honorable Mentions
Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins (Trade)
Though he seems imminent on his return to Boston next season, it’s unclear if the Bruins feel the same way about Linus Ullmark. It’s hard to imagine the Bruins trading him to a division rival, let alone the Maple Leafs – hence the ‘honorable' mention’ if Treliving and Co. can somehow make it happen.
He signed a four-year, $20 million contract with the Bruins on Jul. 28, 2021, carrying a cap hit of $5 million, with a full no-movement clause in the first two years followed by a current modified no-movement clause, which has players submit a list of teams they can or cannot be traded to.
Ullmark played in just two postseason games for the Bruins in the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the team committing fully to the play of Jeremy Swayman, in what seems to be the long-term answer – making a trade likely this offseason. As a former Vezina Trophy winner in 2023, and with another year left on his contract, he could be moved with plenty of suitors. For the Leafs, it would be a no-brainer if he were to become available at just a $5 million cap hit for an outstanding asset like Ullmark.
Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild (Trade)
A sleeper pick for a goaltender who could be on the move is Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild. On July 12, 2022, Gustavsson was traded by the Senators to the Wild and would later sign a three-year, $11.25 million contract with the team on July 31, 2023, carrying a cap hit of $3.75 million.
From the Wild’s perspective, they still have their starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for another year with a full no-movement clause and prospect Jesper Wallstedt looking to make the leap into the NHL as the team’s first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft – leaving Gustavsson as a potential trade candidate.
Though he took a step back in the 2023-24 season, as did the Wild, he has plenty of promise after shining in the 2022-23 season. In the 2023-24 year, he appeared in 43 games and earned a record of 20-17-5, with a 3.06 goals against average, and a .899 save percentage. In comparison, a season prior in 2022-23, he was phenomenal, obtaining a 22-9-7 record paired with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
Gustavsson may be on one of the better contracts in the NHL for a young goaltender making just $3.75 million a year, still with two seasons remaining. This gives him a chance to settle into a new organization like the Leafs who could trade for him in the hopes of finding a top-tier, potentially elite, 1b or backup at a bargain price for the next two seasons. He’s shown flashes of exceptional play and it could be worth it to explore an investment in the Swedish netminder.
All in all, the Leafs will have to decide on the route they want to take. They could attempt a trade to acquire a starting caliber netminder to be paired with Woll, committing a considerable sum of the cap to goaltending, or, they could go for a proven, cheaper, ‘1b’ goaltender and spread out their money elsewhere and pivot at next year’s trade deadline if needed.
Time will tell the direction the team opts to take with trade rumors and free agency starting to heat up.
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