Maple Leafs forced to sign a new goalie for cap reasons.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been forced to sign a new goalie due to salary cap constraints.

Earlier today we detailed how the Maple Leafs may have backed themselves into something of a goaltending crisis of their own making, and it seems that what once was only a possibility has now become a reality.

According to the latest from Maple Leafs beat reporter Lance Hornby, the Maple Leafs have now signed goaltender Jett Alexander for the purpose of having him play backup to Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov tonight. This means that, despite what the Leafs were hoping for, veteran goaltender Matt Murray is still not healthy enough to play since suffering his latest in a long series of injuries this season.

23 year old Alexander most recently played for the University of Toronto where he had a 2.21 goals against average and a .927 save percentage over 22 games this season, but of course the NHL would be a major leap up in competition. In all likelihood we won't see Alexander hit the ice tonight barring any major catastrophes for the Leafs, but it will no doubt make for a great experience and a nice payday for the young man.

The Leafs likely would have prefered to use Joseph Woll in this scenario, but they have called up Wayne Simmonds for what is believed to be his final home game in a Maple Leafs uniform, and they would be unable to fit Woll under the salary cap given the addition of Simmonds' cap hit.