Maple Leafs must add a fifth goalie despite already hitting the NHL's 50-contract limit

Thanks to a new rule involving Emergency Backup Goalies, the Toronto Maple Leafs now need a fifth goaltender.

This year, the NHL has removed one of its quirkiest rules, much to the chagrin of fans. A David Ayres situation is no longer possible. Instead, every single team will have a designated Emergency Backup Goalie that they must sign to a contract.

Only a few teams around the league have signed their EBUG. However, the Leafs are yet to make a decision, and it's an underreported decision that John Chayka will have to make soon.

Toronto needs a fifth goalie, but the new EBUG cannot take one of its 50 contracts

As it stands, the Maple Leafs have four goalies in their stable. This includes Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz, who will likely start the season as the tandem. From there, Artur Akhtyamov and Samual Hlavaj are the goaltenders with the Marlies.

With the new EBUG rules, the Leafs must find a fifth goaltender. Luckily for the Leafs, the EBUG does not sign an NHL Standard Player Contract. This is important as the Leafs are currently using up all 50 of their available SPC slots. Simply put, the Leafs don't have to compromise a contract for the EBUG.

Interestingly, the EBUG that the Leafs sign cannot have NHL experience. However, they can hold a job within the organization. Some teams are going to be using scouts, analysts, video staff, and equipment personnel for the role.

Ultimately, the Leafs' mission is simple. Find an eligible EBUG who doesn't force the team to compromise its current stable of players.

The Leafs cannot simply use Akhtyamov or Hlavaj as their emergency goalie

The EBUG has strict eligibility criteria. For instance, they cannot have played an NHL game under an SPC. Furthermore, they cannot have more than 80 professional games, and they cannot have played professionally within the last three seasons. They also can't be on a team's reserve list.

This means goalie depth and the EBUG role are very different. Artur Akhtyamov and Samual Hlavaj have legitimate professional contracts. They can be called up, but they can't be the emergency designation.

The emergency goalie is going to be traveling with the team. This means they are going to be prepared to play during home and away games. No more beer league goalies at Scotiabank Arena hoping for their moment.

EBUGs can be used in practices, which is good news for the Leafs as it allows them to lessen the pre-game load on Bobrovsky and Stolarz.

Toronto's fifth goalie will effectively exist outside the normal depth chart and outside the 50-contract calculation.

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