Former Maple Leafs Goaltender Lands Deal With the Dallas Stars
Photo credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
AHL Insider Tony Androckitis announced that the Dallas Stars have added former Maple Leafs goaltender Antoine Bibeau on a PTO as they look for some insurance in net.
As the NHL season approaches it's time to get the last-minute additions set for 2025-26 and GMs have been working diligently to do so.
We've seen several PTO signings over the last week as teams like Florida try to add as much insurance as possible ahead of a season filled with question marks and injury concerns.
Dallas Brings In Former Leafs Goalie as Depth Insurance
Unsurprisingly there's been another PTO agreement and it involves a former Toronto Maple Leaf. According to AHL Insider Tony Androckitis, the Dallas Stars have brought in Antoine Bibeau to help shore up their goaltending situation.
While it might be unlikely that Bibeau lands on the squad out of training camp, Androckitis believes that he could be a potential free agent signing for their AHL affiliate later down the road.
Bibeau, 31, played the last two seasons in both Sweden and Finland, spending last year with KooKoo Kuovola of the SM-Liiga; he posted a 20-13-0 record with a .905 SV% and 2.60 GAA.
His last foray into the NHL was in 2019 with the Colorado Avalanche in a minimal role. Before that he was mainly an AHL player who bounced around between teams.
Drafted 172nd overall in 2013, he only appeared in two games for the Maple Leafs, recording a 1-1-0 record with a 1.99 GAA and .927 SV% but never was able to grasp a starting or backup role with the team.
Why the Maple Leafs Could Be Wise to Consider a Similar Move
With the Montreal Canadiens signing Kevin Mandolese to a PTO and now Bibeau with the Stars, perhaps the Toronto Maple Leafs should follow suit.
They have injury issues with both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, and while they have Dennis Hildeby in tow, he's not proven yet and forcing him into a high-pressure situation is risky.
Besides that it's either Ken Appleby or another rookie in Artur Akhtyamov now that Matt Murray left for Seattle in the summer. They have options like former goalie Ilya Samsonov and James Reimer who would be suitable backups and might earn a spot in camp.
You can never be too careful especially with your goaltending, and Brad Treliving has done well to add depth everywhere else; so maybe the next step is making sure his crease is covered no matter what.
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