Toronto Maple Leafs Goalies To Avoid This Offseason – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

One critical issue the Toronto Maple Leafs need to address as they build their roster for the 2024-25 season is their goaltending situation. With recent rumors that the organization is looking to extend young goalkeeper Joseph Woll, where does this team stand in their search for another? Will they be looking for a seasoned goalkeeper to split time with Woll? What exactly do the Maple Leafs want?

The team will be on the hunt for a goalkeeper this offseason, looking to bolster their depth and possibly find someone to challenge Woll for the starting role. As the free-agent market opens up, the Maple Leafs must steer clear of potential pitfalls. Some goalkeepers fit the team's needs better than others.

Related: Maple Leafs Best Free Agent Options

As the team looks to fill voids on its roster, here's a breakdown of several unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and why they might not fit Toronto's needs. While they can be solid goaltenders somewhere, we don't think they're the right fit in Toronto.

7 Maple Leaf Purposes to Avoid

The Maple Leafs should avoid these seven goal scorers. They do not fit the needs of the group for the following reasons.

Kaapo Kahkonen (Last with the New Jersey Devils)

At 28 years old, Kahkonen has struggled to establish himself as a reliable NHL goaltender. His save percentage (SV%) of .899 and goals against average (GAA) of 3.33 over 139 NHL games shows inconsistency and below-average performance. With a history of bouncing between different NHL teams as a backup, Kahkonen isn't proving to be the dynamic figure the Maple Leafs need in goal.

Kevin Lankinen (Last Eater Nashville)

While Lankinen has shown flashes of potential, especially in the American Hockey League (AHL), his NHL stats (.905 SV% and 3.07 GAA in 112 games) suggest he has yet to prove he can hold a starting role in the NHL. . Given Toronto's competitive ambitions, Lankinen's track record doesn't inspire confidence that he's much more of an upgrade than the current options.

Eric Comrie (Buffalo Sabres)

Without extensive experience in the AHL, aside from one solid season with the Winnipeg Jets in 2021-22, Comrie has struggled to make an impact in the NHL. With 57 NHL games played over eight seasons and a career SV% of .893, he has yet to show the consistency or ability to challenge Woll for the starting job. At age 29, Comrie's potential to develop into a reliable NHL starter appears limited.

Related: Forgotten Leaf Leaves: Jeff Finger

Laurent Brossoit (Last Winnipeg Jets)

Brossoit has been loud and talk about being on the Maple Leafs let's go get the roster but he's probably not a Toronto guy. While Brossoit had a solid season with the Jets, his entire NHL career as a backup goaltender has been inconsistent. His career SV% of .911 and GAA of 2.64 suggest he has done well in limited appearances. However, he did not show that he is able to continue playing at a high level for a full season. His performance in the playoffs, with an .890 SV% and 3.13 GAA, further underscores concerns about his ability to thrive under pressure. The team could sign him, but it wouldn't be our first choice.

Anti Raanta (Last Carolina Hurricanes)

Raanta, 35, has had a respectable NHL career as a backup. However, he has struggled with injuries and declining performances in recent seasons. His .915 SV% and 2.48 GAA over 277 NHL games is solid. Still, his age and injury history should make the team question his durability and ability to handle a critical role, important traits for a team like the Maple Leafs. He was solid during the playoffs when he came in to shut down Frederik Andersen, but his early days are probably over.

Related: Frederik Andersen's Unforgivable Sin According to Maple Leafs Fans

James Reimer (Last Detroit Red Wings)

While Reimer impressed with his five-plus seasons with the Maple Leafs to start his NHL career with a wealth of NHL experience, his recent performance and age (36) make him an unlikely candidate to challenge Woll for the starting role. . His career SV% of .910 and GAA of 2.83 are respectable. Although he has been a solid backup goaltender in the NHL, Reimer's potential impact as a starter for the Maple Leafs is limited at this stage of his career.

Scott Wedgewood (Last with Dallas Stars)

Another career backup goaltender, Wedgewood has shown mediocre performance metrics (.906 SV% and 2.98 GAA in 130 NHL games) and limited ability to handle a starting role. With one season surpassing the 36 games played in his 11-season career, Wedgewood lacks the consistency and track record needed to be a viable option for Toronto's goaltending needs.

The Bottom Line for Maple Leafs Mourner Needs

As the Maple Leafs evaluate their options in the UFA goaltending market, it is clear that Kahkonen, Lankinen, Comrie, Brossoit, Raanta, Reimer, and Wedgewood each present significant risks or limitations that make them be suboptimal decisions of Toronto's goal-setting needs.

Related: Ranking the Best Maple Leafs Goals Since 1990

Whether it's due to variable performance, limited NHL experience, age-related concerns, or injury history, in our opinion these goaltenders don't provide the stability or competitiveness needed to elevate the Maple Leafs' goaltending status. Instead, the team should focus on identifying a goalkeeper who can reliably work with Woll and contribute to the team's success next season.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]