Insider Report Reveals Maple Leafs Keeping Tabs On Heated Rival's Goaltender
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
A new insider reports that Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro might not stay on waivers long, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are a team keeping an eye on him.
With the NHL regular season quickly approaching, teams are getting their rosters in order, which means a ton of waiver assignments. Sunday saw 45 players added as teams get 24 hours to place a claim on any of the roster cuts.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs put through four players of his own, the rest of the league had some pretty notable names that were cast aside such as Justin Holl, Arthur Kaliyev and former Leaf Alex Steeves.
Insider Connects Maple Leafs to Boston Bruins Goalie
One name who was also placed on waivers with the hopes that no team claims him is Michael DiPietro, a young goaltender who has been stellar for the Providence Bruins, but hasn't really been able to find a spot on Boston.
The team waived him as a way to hopefully sneak him through and keep him around for the future, but according to a new report that might be a lot easier said than done.
According to James Murphy of RG.org, DiPietro is garnering serious interest from teams who are looking for a young goalie with a lot of potential including the aforementioned Toronto Maple Leafs:
«I've heard the Maple Leafs and Flames have expressed trade interest in him before.
I'd also keep an eye on the Hurricanes. Look, this kid was expected to have teams willing to sign him if he hadn't re-upped with the Bruins just before free agency started.
Teams have called on him before, and if he goes through, I'd be surprised if he's not claimed.
I'd also keep an eye on the Hurricanes. Look, this kid was expected to have teams willing to sign him if he hadn't re-upped with the Bruins just before free agency started.
Teams have called on him before, and if he goes through, I'd be surprised if he's not claimed.
With a lot of hype and competition around DiPietro, he would certainly help a team like the Maple Leafs; who are without Joseph Woll for the foreseeable future, and Carolina who has concerns with Frederik Andersen.
Why the Goalie Situation In Toronto Could Force Brad Treliving's Hand
DiPietro, 26, was stellar last season in the AHL and posted a 26-8-5 record with a 2.05 GAA and .927 SV%; the season previous he was 18-9-2 with a 2.51 GAA and .918 SV%.
The fact he got even better is great news for teams who want to pick him up, and with those types of numbers, it would be hard to see him sneak through as Murphy alluded to.
The Windsor Spitfires alumni is a Memorial Cup winner, an AHL Goaltender of the Year, and an OHL Goaltender of the Year among other accolades.
His fire and energy are exactly the type of player that Brad Treliving loves, and with concerns about Woll's return date and moving on from James Reimer; giving DiPietro a look would be a solid investment.
If Toronto can bring him in and keep him in the Marlies while Dennis Hildeby backs up Anthony Stolarz, he can build up the confidence and momentum to keep the starter job when Hildeby comes back to the AHL.
Then it won't be long until the Maple Leafs have another potential NHL star goaltender just waiting to break out.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 6 | 968 ANSWERS Insider Report Reveals Maple Leafs Keeping Tabs On Heated Rival's Goaltender Should Toronto claim Michael DiPietro? | ||
| Yes | 361 | 37.3 % |
| No | 607 | 62.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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