Trade Proposal Emerges That Solves The Leafs Goaltending Dilemma
The Leafs have a huge problem in net but that could be solved based on a recent trade proposal.
Trade Proposal That Solves Leafs Goaltending Dilemma
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a huge problem in net. They currently have Matt Murray and Joseph Woll under contract with starter Ilya Samsonov filing for arbitration just this past week. The Leafs will need to move either Murray or Samsonov or both if they want to get underneath the salary cap for next season.
Enter a recent trade proposal that swaps Samsonov for another young goalie who is currently on a cheap contract.
This trade makes a lot of sense for both sides but it needs some further explanation.
Trade Analysis
The Flyers and Leafs are in two very different positions. The Leafs are currently looking to get under the salary cap at all costs while the Flyers have plenty of space. Comparing Hart to Samsonov, they appear relatively similar.
Samsonov was a 1st round pick in 2015 while Hart was an early 2nd round pick in 2016. For the past few seasons, Hart has posted the better numbers but last year Samsonov had a career year with the Leafs posting a .919 sv% and 2.33 GAA. Hart on the other hand had a .907 sv% and 2.94 GAA.
So why would the Leafs be adding?
Hart was on a far worse team and many nights was the reason Philly was even competing. He is one of the few goalies in the NHL who has the ability to steal a series, like Sergei Bobrovsky did to the Leafs.
Hart also makes less than $4 million next year and would make it easier to get underneath the salary cap considering Samsonov would certainly get more than that from the Leafs.
The Flyers would get a goalie who came off of a better statistical year who could also be a mentor to their young goalies, a few of which are Russian. On top of Samsonov, they also receive a 2024 3rd round pick to sweeten the deal.
| POLL | ||
Who wins this mock trade? | ||
| Philly | 1025 | 38.3 % |
| Toronto | 1649 | 61.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
