Ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs lost Calvin Pickard and Curtis McElhinney on the same day earlier this season, fans have dreaded a situation where their remaining two NHL netminders both suffered injuries, however minor, at the same time. With Frederik Andersen currently on the shelf, the team had recently gone out and acquired Michael Hutchinson from the Florida Panthers as a precautionary measure. Today that measure was necessary, as the Maple Leafs have recalled both Hutchinson and Kasimir Kaskisuo to serve as their goaltending duo this afternoon. Garret Sparks, who had been carrying the load since Andersen’s injury, is in the concussion protocol after taking a shot to the head at practice.
Hutchison looks like he’ll get the start for the Maple Leafs in a rare afternoon game today against the Minnesota Wild, which would mark his fifth appearance of the season. The other four were for the Panthers, an organization Hutchinson was supposed to serve in this capacity all season. Florida had signed Hutchinson to a one-year, $1.3MM deal to be the third goaltender behind oft-injured Roberto Luongo and James Reimer, but ended up sending him to Toronto for a 2020 fifth-round pick. The 28-year old goaltender comes with plenty of experience in the NHL and a history of success there, though his time in Florida didn’t go well.
Originally selected by the Boston Bruins, Hutchinson would make his debut for the Winnipeg Jets in 2013-14 and ended up playing 102 games for them over parts of five seasons. The big goaltender had his best season in 2014-15 when he went 21-10-5 with a .914 save percentage, but hasn’t been able to replicate those numbers since. Still, he represents a much more experienced option than Kaskisuo, who has just 83 games of professional experience including zero appearances at the NHL level.
Andersen has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to December 23rd meaning he can come off whenever necessary, while both Hutchinson and Kaskisuo have been recalled under emergency conditions.
Does Toronto have the cap space for Quick? If so I could see a match there. If Blake decides to actually blow the Kings up and rebuild.
How could Quick be a fit in Toronto? They have to re-sign Marner, Matthews, Johnsson and Gardiner and you expect them to carry a $5+ million dollar backup goaltender? Not to mention when Andersen is back what are they supposed to do? Have a time share situation? This doesn’t make any sense at any level.
Next 3-games will be critical depending on how long concussion protocol lasts for sparks and if LTiR becomes a lengthy period for Andersen. They simply don’t have the D to support half-assed netminders right now. And the groin is kind of a crucial healthy spot on a goalie.
that makes no sense.