A few daring statements have been made some time again relating to the subsequent basic supervisor of the Toronto Maple Leafs and who the beginning goalie shall be following that transfer, each linked to the Calgary Flames. Eric Francis made the assertion, “A couple of weeks in the past, I stated not solely is Brad Treliving going to be the GM of the Maple Leafs, however I predict Dan Vladar would be the beginning goalie on opening evening.” There’s a bit to unpack right here and a few questions that want answering if the second of the 2 daring statements is to return true as nicely.
Flames’ Involvement
The Flames are carefully intertwined on this potential situation with the Maple Leafs, and never solely as a result of Vladar is likely one of the workforce’s goalies in the meanwhile. The previous basic supervisor, Treliving, is now in control of the selections in Toronto. Sometimes basic managers draft, signal, or commerce for sure gamers for a purpose and in the event that they transfer on, there’s a likelihood they finally deliver that participant in once more if potential. That is what we may see with Vladar and Treliving as everybody is aware of the goaltending scenario with Calgary.
Jacob Markstrom’s contract is sort of unmovable with the no-movement clause, size, and cap hit whereas Dustin Wolf is prepared for a full-time position within the NHL. Though it’s not exceptional for a workforce to hold three goalies, that shouldn’t be a viable choice for the Flames. Markstrom is a confirmed goalie, skilled, and can seemingly bounce again. He can simply give the Flames over 50 begins. Vladar proved he can even deal with an honest variety of the begins in a given time-frame as he did so earlier this season when Markstrom was struggling. The third goalie, Wolf, confirmed his talent degree on the very finish of the season for the Flames. He can present no less than 30 begins himself, which means Vladar is in his method of becoming a member of the workforce.
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The seemingly end result is that Vladar shall be traded this offseason, whether or not or not it’s earlier than the draft or earlier than free company. This could give the Maple Leafs time to determine what they’re doing with the remainder of their goalies heading into subsequent season. Vladar has a cap hit of $2.2 million common annual worth (AAV) for 2 extra seasons and is simply 25 years previous. There may be undoubtedly potential there and he confirmed Treliving the upside at occasions final season. The present Maple Leafs basic supervisor already traded for and signed Vladar as soon as, so it isn’t out of the realm of chance that he acquires the younger goalie once more.
The Mess the Maple Leafs Will Have in Internet
In any commerce that sees Vladar being moved out of Calgary, no goaltender goes to be coming again. The seemingly return is a second-round choose. So, if nothing is finished previous to a commerce, the Maple Leafs would maintain 4 NHL-capable goaltenders. Joseph Woll isn’t going anyplace, however that doesn’t imply he received’t as soon as once more begin out within the American Hockey League (AHL). Many would argue that he must be the backup subsequent season, however then if Vladar goes to be the opening evening starter, that may be a very inexperienced tandem for the Maple Leafs heading into an essential season for what must be a Stanley Cup contending workforce.
Matt Murray has one yr left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.688 million whereas Ilya Samsonov is a restricted free agent (RFA) and not using a contract but. Samsonov laid all of it out on the desk for the Maple Leafs and proved that their funding in him was value it. He was a younger and pretty unproven goaltender that had very up-and-down seasons in Washington earlier than not getting a qualifying supply. Early on he earned the belief of Toronto and have become the starter for almost all of the season, posting nice numbers. He additionally helped the Maple Leafs by means of the primary spherical regardless of only a .900 save share. I’d have stated that his season deserves no less than a qualifying supply, however nothing has come about but, probably signaling a shift.
Whereas Samsonov’s future nonetheless appears to be up within the air, Murray’s is extra clear. He’s very seemingly going to be on a brand new workforce by the top of the summer time, whether or not that be by means of a buyout or one other cap dump. After Samsonov went down with an damage in Recreation 3 of the second spherical, Woll acquired the decision in internet, proving that there is no such thing as a belief in Murray anymore. Samsonov is 26, Vladar is 25, and Woll is 24 years previous. If that’s what the goaltending depth seems like for subsequent yr for the Maple Leafs, I say they’re trying fairly good.
As for the Flames, they execute what they need to and will have faith in Markstrom and Wolf transferring ahead. The unlucky reality is that with the potential Vladar has and at a great age to essentially escape, it may damage the Flames not having the ability to maintain onto him with out stunting Wolf’s growth.
