The Utah Mammoth’s pursuit of goaltending help could open the door to a simple one-for-one idea with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the fit comes with plenty of drawbacks.
Utah was in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck before he wound up in New Jersey, and the club still appears to be searching for an upgrade. Karel Vejmelka is currently in the net for the Mammoth, but according to insider Nick Kypreos, the organization is not convinced he is the long-term answer.
“The Mammoth are not sold on Karel Vejmelka being the No. 1 who can get them through the [playoffs]; if a deal can be found here to bring in...someone with experience...Vejmelka would become a movable piece”
That leaves Toronto as a potential trade partner, with Anthony Stolarz the name that fits the framework. On paper, the deal lines up in a clean one-for-one way. Vejmelka has four years left at $4.75 million per season, while Stolarz also has four years remaining, at $3.75 million.
Even so, the money is not ideal for the Maple Leafs. They would be adding an extra $1 million in salary, and that is not the sort of commitment they are likely eager to make.
The numbers also explain why this idea feels more like a discussion point than a clean solution. Vejmelka has more starts, but his career goals-against average sits at 3.08, while Stolarz’s is 2.66. In save percentage, Stolarz is at .913 and Vejmelka at .899.
That said, neither goalie presents a perfect answer. Vejmelka has shown he is not the kind of goaltender who can carry a competitive team as a true No. 1, and Stolarz has not done enough to be viewed as a starter anywhere.
That leaves both sides in an awkward spot. If Toronto were to move Stolarz, it would be with an eye toward clearing the path for Artur Akhtyamov, which means the Leafs would not want a goalie coming back.
So while the framework is there, this would be a sideways move rather than a real upgrade. And at this stage, it does not sound like the kind of move general manager John Chayka is looking to make. He is expected to keep aiming higher.
In Other News...
Leafs Make A Surprising Lineup Call Against A Brutal Oilers Test
The Maple Leafs are making some early adjustments ahead of a tough test against Edmonton, with the blue line still a work in progress as injuries continue to shape the roster. Dakota Mermis has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies and will make his season debut on defense, giving Toronto another body to lean on while it navigates a patched-together group on the back end.
In goal, Anthony Stolarz gets the nod against the Oilers, with Sergei Bobrovsky listed as the backup, according to coach Jim Hiller. It is the kind of lineup call that speaks to how carefully Toronto is trying to manage the night, especially with Chris Tanev, Nick Blankenburg and Marshall Rifai all among the defensemen whose availability has been in question. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Blue-Line Need Makes One Dream Trade Worth Watching
Torontos search for help on the blue line naturally leads to bigger names, and Roman Josi is the kind of target that immediately changes the conversation. A defender of his caliber would give the Maple Leafs a very different look on the back end, which is why the fit keeps coming up whenever the roster is weighed against the teams need for more stability and punch from defense.
The complication is that this is the sort of idea that only becomes realistic if Nashvilles season goes off track enough to force hard decisions. Even then, Toronto would not be shopping from the bargain bin, and any serious push would almost certainly require a painful move in return, the sort of asset outlay that would test how badly the Maple Leafs want to chase a major upgrade. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Face A Familiar Trade Dilemma On Defense
The Leafs keep circling the same basic question on defense: whether they can find a right-shot upgrade without paying an excessive price in futures. Rasmus Ristolainen has surfaced as a possible answer from Philadelphia, and the fit is obvious enough from Torontos side. He brings the kind of size and experience the team has long chased on the blue line, and with his contract set to expire this summer, the timing gives the discussion a different edge than a typical rental chase.
Philadelphia, though, is not expected to make this easy. The Flyers would be looking for players who can help sooner rather than later, which makes Torontos stockpile of prospects and younger NHL-ready pieces part of the conversation. Ristolainen is also on injured reserve but nearing a return, and because he carries no trade protection, the door is open if the two clubs decide the right deal is there. [Read more 🡒]