One area that needs some depth is between the pipes as this squad must keep the puck out of the net to win hockey games. With little room left under the NHL salary cap, experts now believe their best option to find another net minder is through a trade.
Several names have been mentioned over the last couple of weeks, but the front office must search for a player with enough experience to handle the pressure if the Leafs gets in the chase this season. The goalie must also have the right price tag, roughly one million per season, and that limits what management can accomplish.
The latest reports from the Toronto Sun have a couple of interesting targets, including Jhonas Enroth.
The 28-year-old meets the criteria of age and price — and those aren’t the only numbers that sound enticing. Enroth has played well the past two years as a backup in Dallas and for the LA Kings. With a 12-10 record and a strong 2.23 goals against average, he has the ability to keep a team in the game and has showed the skills necessary to keep teammates confident while on the ice, both needed to win NHL games when the top goalie needs a rest or misses some time with an injury.
Toronto’s rebuilding is ahead of schedule and adding a couple more veterans to build that leadership could fast-forward their time line. While deals like this don’t add much excitement with the fans, it does give the Maple Leafs a good chance for success, and that will create buzz as the upcoming season moves along.
