Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Jhonas Enroth to Anaheim Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sending Jhonas Enroth far, far away from Toronto, and have traded the struggling goalie to the Anaheim Ducks.

Nas might have made the phrase “I never sleep, because sleep is the cousin of death” famous, but I think Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello truly lives that way.

At 1:03 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the Leafs announced a trade.

After claiming Curtis McElhinney on waivers Tuesday, the writing was on the wall for Jhonas Enroth — his time with the Maple Leafs was likely done. Well, Lamoriello made sure of that on Wednesday morning, dealing the 28-year-old to Anaheim for a seventh round pick in the 2018 draft.

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Despite posting a quality season as the Los Angeles Kings backup during the 2015-16 season, things didn’t go as planned in Toronto. In four starts and six appearances, Enroth was horrendous, posting a .872 save percentage and a 3.94 goals against. After being demoted to the Marlies, he wasn’t much better in the AHL, posting a 2-1 record with a .904 save percentage.

Mike Babcock’s preference for larger goaltenders didn’t help his case either. Standing at 5-foot-10, the Swedish goalie just wasn’t a fit in Toronto and there was likely no chance Babcock was going to give him another shot.

Now Enroth will head west and join the Ducks AHL affiliate in San Diego where they are in dire need of goaltending help, with both Dustin Tokarski and Matt Hackett injured. With John Gibson and Jonathan Bernier firmly entrenched on the Ducks’ roster, Enroth will likely remain with San Diego for the foreseeable future and will only return to the NHL if Gibson or Bernier were to suffer an injury.

As for the Leafs, the backup goaltending job is McElhinney’s to lose, since Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks will get all the starts with the Marlies. Unless he’s horrific between the pipes, I think we’ll see him get a long look with the Leafs.

And, hey, if he does struggle, the Leafs could always trade him to Anaheim since they seem to have a thing for goalies who struggle with the Leafs.

Also, the fact that Lamoriello was able to get something for Enroth is impressive, and my excitement for the trade deadline has exponentially grown since this trade. Admit it, after this Enroth trade, we all believe Lamoriello will once again use his sorcery to flip Roman Polak for a draft pick at the deadline.

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What do you think of the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Enroth to the Anaheim Ducks? Do you like the trade? Do you think Enroth got a fair shot in Toronto? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.