NHL GMs don’t typically like throwing their own players under the bus. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas avoided doing so, showing some belief in goaltenders Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek amidst struggles for both crease masters.
When the question about goaltending was brought up during a press availability on Friday, Dubas said he’s “not concerned about either one of them”, and pointed to the team’s defensive issues as something the team needs to work on. Toronto’s goaltending has been a topic of discussion recently, with the combo of Campbell and Mrazek combining for a .887 save percentage since Jan. 1 — that’s 27th out of 32 teams.
Before Jan. 1, Campbell was looking like a legitimate Vezina Trophy contender. Up until Dec. 31, Campbell’s .942 save percentage at 5-on-5 was second in the league, according to Natural Stat Trick. Only Thatcher Demko (11.99) had a better goals-saved above average than Campbell’s 11.96.
Mrazek, on the other hand, battled injuries early on and is currently in the midst of his worst statistical season in the NHL. Among the goalies with at least 10 games played since Jan 1, both Campbell and Mrazek sit in the bottom two in 5-on-5 save percentage, while Campbell’s minus-11.76 GSAA is far and beyond the worst in the league.
With the March 21 NHL trade deadline on the horizon, the Leafs will need to address the goaltending situation too if things continue to spiral out of control.
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