Samuel Hlavaj may be fourth on Toronto's goaltending depth chart, but he doesn't need four things to go wrong to benefit. He may only need one.
Slovakian goaltender Samual Hlavaj made waves at the Olympics this past year, and now he is looking to make an impression with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
He is expected to play with the Marlies this year, in a backup role to Artur Akhtyamov. However, he has a major opportunity to be much more than just a minor-league backup.
One NHL goalie injury could turn Hlavaj from depth piece into the Marlies' No. 1
At the top of the depth chart, you have Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz. From there, it is Akhtamov and Hlavaj at three and four, respectively.
Fourth string is a misleading term as it pertains to Hlavaj. At the end of the day, his goal is to develop as a goaltender. Not to be the starting netminder for the Leafs.
If Bobrovsky and Stolarz miss time, Artur Akhtyamov is the logical candidate to be called up and get some NHL playing time. This gives Hlavaj an advantageous position, as he would become the de facto starter for the Marlies. In one fell swoop, he goes from organizational number four to a bona fide starter for a professional team.
Hlavaj doesn't require four goalies to disappear. One absence at the NHL level could materially change his season.
A second NHL goalie injury could put Hlavaj into Toronto's recall conversation
There is a second domino that could fall, and it would put Hlavaj in the NHL. If Bobrovsky and Stolarz were to both get injured simultaneously, the Leafs would need two goaltenders.
The first of those netminders would likely be Akhtyamov. However, the second could very well be Hlavaj. Depending on recall rules, contracts, and the Leafs' circumstances, Hlavaj might be the most convenient option in a pinch.
Toronto's depth chart provides a plausible pathway for Hlavaj to end up with the Leafs. However, it can only happen if there are multiple goaltending absences.
Hlavaj is fourth on paper, but he's potentially only two simultaneous absences from the NHL depth chart becoming his problem too.
Do you believe Samuel Hlavaj can be a goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
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