Maple Leafs could be forced to trade with bitter rival…

The NHL’s roster freeze has been lifted, which means that trades can take place, and the word is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring the goalie market, especially since Ilya Samsonov has been struggling to regain his form from last season.

Right before the break, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada that the Maple Leafs are out of options within their roster to fix their goaltending issues, unless they explore a trade which it appears they are open to.

“I do believe that Toronto has dipped its toes into the goaltending market,” Friedman said. “I don’t expect anything to happen right when the freeze ends. I think their hope is that Samsonov just gets a few days away, and they continue to work with them.”

However, the insider is aware that the goalie market is quite tough out there, and it may be even worse for Toronto.

“The teams that have the goaltending surplus, they know it and what they’re asking for is a lot, especially if retention is involved,” Friedman explained. “I just think all these teams out here that are looking for goaltenders just find that they’re being extorted a little bit.”

The Montreal Canadiens have been carrying three goaltenders – Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau – since the start of the season, and it is believed that rival teams have come calling to discuss trades.

Montembeault recently signed a three-year contract extension and therefore there is a sense that Allen and Primeau would be the trade candidates. But you have to imagine that it would be quite an obstacle for the Maple Leafs, the Habs’ bitter division rival, to make an offer that would satisfy general manager Kent Hughes.

And I have to say… I don’t believe neither Allen nor Primeau appears capable of filling the starter’s job in Toronto. So, what’s the solution for GM Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs at this point? Most teams aren’t offering a helping hand when it comes to goalie options, which means Toronto might have to be patient with Samsonov…

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