With the NHL trade deadline edging ever closer, we consider the justification of the Toronto Maple Leafs attempting to move goaltender Petr Mrazek.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a precarious situation right now. They desperately need to strengthen their blue line ahead of the trade deadline, but only have $203,230 in cap space for this season.
This cap space is projected to increase to just over $1.077 million by the March 21 trade deadline, which is still clearly not a good financial position. As a result, the Leafs are going to have to consider — among other things — which players and draft picks they are prepared to offer in return for a quality defenceman.
Whether it’s as part of a return package for a blue-liner or just to improve their cap situation, one player Toronto should consider trading is Petr Mrazek. With a yearly cap hit of $3.8 million and a contract which runs through the 2023-24 season, moving him would certainly benefit the Leafs
The question is, how feasible is such a scenario? We appreciate critics will throw cold water on this suggestion with various points.
Potential arguments include the recent struggles of Jack Campbell, Mrazek’s own improved play of late and a packed schedule, as reasons not to move the goaltender. As such, let’s take a look at each of these counter-points:
1) Campbell’s recent performances
Starting with Campbell, we acknowledge his form hasn’t been stellar of late, having allowed five goals in four of his previous eight starts. Prior to this however, he had been consistently excellent for one and a half seasons.
Further, consider that the 2022 All-Star was playing at an extremely high level earlier this season, often covering for the inconsistencies and mistakes of other players on the team. This level of play was unsustainable and a downward turn in form was always likely to happen.
In terms of covering for other players, last Thursday night’s 5-2 loss in Calgary offered a classic example of this. Campbell was left on his own on three of the Flames’ goals, due to defensive breakdowns.
Admittedly, the 30-year-old would have been more likely to stop at least some of the three goals earlier in the season. In this respect however, there is every indication he is just suffering a temporary loss of form (and confidence) and will bounce back to his previous form.
We appreciate doubts will continue to be raised about Campbell’s ability to carry the load. However, you can counter that he’s already done enough overall this season and last to show he is finally living up to the potential which made him the 11th pick in the 2010 draft.
2) The value of Mrazek both on AND off the ice
Turning to Mrazek’s own recent form, it’s true he has improved of late. Of course, his just being between the pipes is a positive step in itself, after injuries limited him to only two starts during the first couple of months this season.
Going back to the 30-year-old’s performances of late, he has started five times and replaced Campbell early in another game since the calendar turned to 2022, securing four wins in the process. During this period, he has a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.33 and a save percentage of .910.
For the 2021-22 campaign as a whole, Mrazek is 6-3-0 in eight starts and nine overall appearances, with a 2.95 GAA and .899 save percentage. It is important to note his season GAA and save percentage are down on his career averages of 2.61 and .910 respectively in 284 NHL games.
There is no denying the 2010 Detroit Red Wings’ draft pick has the talent and athleticism you look for in a quality starting goaltender. However, now in his 10th season in the NHL, his inconsistency and durability issues make you wonder if he will ever fulfill his potential.
If you just focus on the ice, there is an argument that Mrazek’s recent form and his ability make him a good choice as part of a one-two tandem for now. However, his high cap hit continues to loom as an issue which could compromise Toronto’s financial plans, including negotiating a new deal with Campbell, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season
3) The Joseph Woll factor
As much as Mrazek’s early season injury issues played a part in Campbell starting the majority of games, so did the cancellation of Leafs games due to COVID-19. As a result, there was extra rest time to justify starting the latter more.
This is no longer the case, with Toronto facing 37 games in 75 days to close out the regular season. Playing at a rate of essentially every other day, the Leafs need all the goal-tending depth they can get, hence making arguably the most compelling case to keep Mrazek around.
In this respect, how much confidence would the Leafs have in giving other goalies more of an opportunity between the pipes? More specifically, Joseph Woll.
We know the Leafs rate Woll, as evidenced by recently signing him to a three-year contract extension. The deal will kick in next season and come with an annual cap hit of $766,667.
There is a lot to like about the 23-year-old, who has intriguing size, athleticism and potential. The main challenges he faces at this stage of his career, are improving his strength and consistency.
However, is Toronto ready yet to test their faith in Woll and allow him to start games on a semi-regular basis in the NHL? If nothing else, he has already shown glimpses of what he can do at the top level.
Woll made his NHL debut earlier this season and has a record of 3-1-0 in four starts. He is second among Leafs goalies, with a 2.76 GAA and .911 save percentage.
We appreciate this is a small sample size to go by. There is no way of knowing for sure if the 2016 third round draft pick will thrive or crumble under increased pressure and exposure to opposing NHL teams.
However, the Leafs also have Michael Hutchinson to provide some depth and experience. This could prove extremely beneficial to a developing Woll, both in terms of sharing the load and giving him someone to turn to.
Hutchinson has admittedly not been at his best this season, both during his two NHL appearances and down in the minors with the Marlies. He has performed well in the past however, including just last season for the Leafs when he went 4-2-0 in eight starts, while recording a 2.42 GAA and .919 save percentage.
Assuming Toronto does decide to trade Mrazek, there would be teams interested such as the Edmonton Oilers, who rank 23rd in team GAA and 26th in save percentage entering Monday’s games. And while we acknowledge the risk in moving him, it is a gamble the Leafs should seriously consider.
What would you do in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ position? Attempt to trade Mrazek before the March 21 deadline, or keep hold of him? Let us know in the comments section below.