The Maple Leafs appear to have too many goalies, and trade offers are already being made.
According to a WatchMyReview analyst post, Toronto will receive calls for young netminder Artur Akhtyamov this offseason.
The advise that came along with it was to trade Anthony Stolarz rather than retaining Akhtyamov, Dennis Hildeby, and Joseph Woll.
For a position that requires two goaltenders, four are used. Something has to give in this crease, and soon.
The issue is that the quick solution may be incorrect.
The complete post outlines the logic of whether to retain or trade him, and it suggests that Stolarz is the odd one out.
According to the data, Dennis Hildeby performed better than the two seasoned players.
This is when the easy choice becomes difficult. Examine the season’s actual save percentages, not their names.
With 39 outings and a save percentage of .898, Joseph Woll bore the greatest burden. Standard performance for solid workhorse use.
Anthony Stolarz, the supposed trade chip, performed in 26 games at.893. Woll is not too far away, but there are less beginnings.
Next is Hildeby. With a cap hit under $900,000, the 24-year-old covertly posted a .912 in 20 games, the best mark of the whole group.
So, for a fraction of the cost, the youngster beat both seasoned players. That’s the figure that ought to alter the entire discourse.
Meanwhile, Akhtyamov has just three NHL games under his belt. It would be like cashing in a lottery ticket before the drawing if you traded him right now.
Here’s my read: Toronto’s issue isn’t picking which goalie to keep. It’s that nobody grabbed the net and refused to let go. A team that allowed 299 goals and finished 28th didn’t get enough saves from anyone.
When your cheapest, youngest option posts your best save percentage, you don’t rush him out the door. You give him the runway and let the market overpay for the veterans.
Picking a goalie is like picking a closer. You don’t trust the resume, you trust the recent results. Hildeby’s results just made the loudest case.
Whoever Toronto’s next coach is inherits this puzzle on day one. For years, a franchise is followed by the incorrect call in the net.
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