Toronto Maple Leafs should get Jack Campbell’s contract done soon

It appears the Toronto Maple Leafs are doing some groundwork on a contract for Jack Campbell and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a priority.

From one pending free agent to another, the Toronto Maple Leafs now face another obstacle to get another key player signed in Jack Campbell.

When Kyle Dubas made the trade to acquire Campbell, it was with the intention of solving the Leafs’ backup goaltending position, but it ended up doing more than that.

It took some time but eventually, Campbell was given the opportunity to finally earn his first starting gig with Frederik Andersen struggling with injury and his performance not being up to par. Campbell’s emergence led to Andersen’s departure as the Leafs simply had a cheaper and more productive alternative.

So far this season, Campbell has carried over his success from last season going 4-2-1 with a .929 save percentage and a 1.99 goals-against average. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see reports come out that the Leafs are now making it a priority to see what it would take to ensure Campbell stays in the Blue and White.

As we have seen with Morgan Rielly’s contract, the Leafs don’t want this to drag out the entire season. They also don’t want to let an important part of the team get a look at what free agency can offer considering how much goaltending is valued around the league.

Campbell doesn’t have a strong list of goaltenders going to the market but we also know how the 30-year-old feels about playing in Toronto.

"“I truly love it here,” Campbell told reporters.“The guys have taken me in like I’ve been here my whole career. Special group. Special city. The fans are incredible. And any time they embrace me the way they have, it means a lot to me, and there’s nothing more I’d love than to stay here. I guess, ultimately, all we can do — myself included — is win hockey games.”"

While the love and admiration for Toronto is nice to hear, it’s also a business and this likely is Campbell’s best chance to earn a big payday. If the Leafs can find a number that they are comfortable with which also satisfies what Campbell could be looking for then there’s no reason why this process needs to drag out.

Now that the conversation has started and Campbell is being asked about it in media scrums, the player doesn’t want this to be a distraction.

What would a Jack Campbell contract look like for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The real question for the Leafs here is how much term and cap space are they willing to set aside for Campbell.

Looking at most recent deals for goalies that both sides could try to use as comparables in a potential deal. Do they want to do a shorter-term contract or will Campbell try to push for a long-term deal? Here’s a look at deals Toronto could try to look at.

Frederik Andersen: 2 years, $9 million ($4.5 million cap hit)

Cal Petersen: 3 years, $15 million ($5 million cap hit)

Elvis Merzlikins: 5 years,$27 million ($5.4 million cap hit)

Philipp Grubauer: 6 years, $35.4 million ($5.9 million cap hit)

The other factor to consider is Petr Mrazek’s current deal which is for two more years after this one for $3.8 million per season. Will the Leafs try to keep Campbell’s number down knowing that they have Mrazek here as well or is this a situation where Dubas will have to choose between one or the other?

That remains an important question for the Leafs to consider as they try to secure the future for their goaltending now and for the next few seasons. It’s not like they have a young goalie that’s pushing to get playing time in the NHL like Petersen was in L.A. which led to Campbell being moved.

Should the Leafs try to get Campbell signed to a deal now or wait longer? How much should he get in his next contract? Let us know in the comments below.