Toronto Maple Leafs should try to trade for Casey DeSmith

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to deal with problems with their backup goalie job and Kyle Dubas should look to Casey DeSmith as a trade target.

There seems to be a sense of urgency to try and solve the Toronto Maple Leafs backup goalie position and for good reason.

Seeing Michael Hutchinson allow five goals in the loss to the Buffalo Sabres should put the backup goalie position at the top of Kyle Dubas’ list. Whether that’s giving Kasimir Kaskisuo another chance or looking elsewhere, the team needs to make a change.

This situation could have been resolved if the Leafs had picked up one of the many goalies that were put on waivers. Instead they will have to look at potentially making a trade to solve their backup problem but fortunately, there is a team that would be an ideal partner.

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It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins has what the Leafs need but the questions is whether Dubas has them on his radar? In this case he should because what the Penguins have to offer is something Toronto desperately needs.

Many who look at Pittsburgh’s goalie depth see that the team has two capable backups with Tristan Jarry getting the job over Casey DeSmith. Because of that, the team had to put DeSmith on waivers and somehow he passed through.

Now the Leafs get a chance to potentially get ahead of any other team might not be feeling confident with their backup goalie position and finally, find a solution to a problem that has been around since last season.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported that the Penguins are willing to move one of their goalies and while Jarry will be the most enticing to a team like the Leafs with his $675,000 cap hit and how well he’s played this season. Playing for a Penguins team that’s had its fair share of injuries especially on their blue line, Jarry has been impressive with a 7-5-4 record plus a 2.27 GAA and a .929 save percentage in nine games.

So why aren’t we suggesting the Leafs go out and trade for Jarry? Well, why would Pittsburgh do it? Considering he has a lower cap hit and has been their best goalie this season, the Penguins would be smart to keep him and try to find a destination for DeSmith.

After the Detroit Red Wings acquired Eric Comrie from the Arizona Coyotes and the New Jersey Devils trading for Louie Domingue from the Tampa Bay Lightning, DeSmith is probably the next goalie that will probably get traded.

One thing that will be a problem is DeSmith’s cap hit which is $1.25 million for this season and next which doesn’t seem like a lot for a backup but for a team in a cap crunch like Toronto, it’s a tough obstacle.

It’s important to point out that DeSmith has experience at the NHL level that Toronto needs and he’s been solid in the AHL with a .922 sv% and a 2.44 GAA in 14 games. If salary is the problem, Toronto is going to have a tough time making a move for a goalie but they can’t continue like they have.

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What do you think the Leafs should do about their backup goalie position? How patient can they be to find a solution? Let us know in the comments below.

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