Will Maple Leafs Realize They Made a Huge Goaltending Mistake?

The Toronto Maple Leafs decided that 37-year-old goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was their guy. To the tune of $7 million per season over three seasons, the organization signed the veteran netminder after a down season, hoping he’d bounce back and be the answer in goal this coming season. It was a risk that looks even riskier now that Connor Hellebuyck‘s trade request has gone public.

---

Granted, most people believe Hellebuyck is looking to move to a U.S.-based team. The Buffalo Sabers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, and San Jose Sharks will be among the landing spot favorites. That won’t stop teams like the Edmonton Oilers and others from picking up the phone and seeing what’s what. The Maple Leafs might have done so too, but they’ve chosen the riskier and older Bobrovsky. Given his no-move clause and new contract, there’s no turning back.

Related: Uncertain Future For Winnipeg Jets After Connor Hellebuyck Trade Request

Had the Maple Leafs known that Hellebuyck was going to put the Jets in an awkward spot and potentially try to push forward a trade before the season, might GM Johan Chayka and company have proceeded differently? It’s hard to know since it’s unclear if Toronto ever talked to the Jets about a trade. Maybe Hellebuyck made it clear Toronto was not on his list.

All that said, the idea of a reworked Maple Leafs team with Hellebuyck in goal over Bobrovsky feels like a real upgrade. And with reports from insiders like Chris Johnston that Hellebuyck is flexible, who knows what might have happened. Johnston wrote, “One key difference with the Connor Hellebuyck trade request compared to others around the NHL is that he’s willing to waive his NMC for a variety of teams.” Would Toronto have been among them? Maybe. “The offers haven’t been to Winnipeg’s liking just yet, obviously, but they’re not totally handcuffed,” adds Johnston.

In other words, if the Maple Leafs came to the table with a solid offer, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would have considered it and taken that to Hellebuyck. While Toronto is a Canadian franchise — perhaps the one with the biggest spotlight — this is a team that Hellebuyck could know is going all in each and every season. They can attract players. They have stars and good young prospects. With him in goal, they’ve got as good a shot as most in that second tier of teams in the Eastern Conference.

We may never know if Hellebuyck would have been a legitimate option. With Bobrovsky the guy, it doesn’t really matter. The only hope now is that a) Bobrovsky plays well and b) Hellebuyck doesn’t go to a division rival that Toronto will have to face several times this season. It seems like the latter is a real possibility.

Next: Can the Maple Leafs Win With Auston Matthews Leading?