NHL Trades and Rumors
Insider Says Maple Leafs Are Big-Game Hunting for a Goalie
The Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring a major upgrade in goal, with Jordan Binnington, Connor Hellebuyck, and Sergei Bobrovsky all linked as potential options.
The Toronto Maple Leafs seemingly traded Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers because of a surplus in net, with young goaltenders Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov knocking on the door of becoming NHL options alongside veteran Anthony Stolarz.
While that remains the case, it doesn’t sound like new GM John Chayka is simply going to sit on his hands without attempting another bold move between the pipes. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs are firmly in the mix for a big-name goaltender, mentioning Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck as trade possibilities and Sergei Bobrovsky as a very strong fit in free agency.
“Like I said earlier, they’re all in. So they have no desire to tank. Again, they’re trying to please Matthews and show that they can win and rebuild quick…
I still think even though they traded for Ersson, I’m not convinced they keep him. I think they’re looking in goal. Binnington, if he’s available, they’ll check it. Hellebuyck, I don’t know that it’s likely, but they’ll check it.
Bobrovsky, don’t forget Anthony Stolarz won a Stanley Cup backing up Bobrovsky. Nobody knows him better, and Steve Lorentz was Bobrovsky’s shooter. He’s Bobrovsky’s guy and will always be loyal to him because Bobrovsky kept him in the NHL by having him shoot on him every morning. So there’s two guys there who know him extremely well. Wouldn’t shock me if he ended up being their guy potentially,”
Binnington, 32, and Hellebuyck, 33, have one and five years remaining on their respective contracts, while Bobrovsky, 37, is set to become a UFA after completing the seven-year, $70 million deal he signed with the Panthers in 2019.
There’s no doubt Chayka has been active during his early days as general manager in Toronto, and it doesn’t appear as if he’s anywhere close to done.
From winning the draft lottery, to acquiring Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade, to potentially taking a big swing for a goaltender, it’s clear that after a rough 2025-26 season the Maple Leafs are doing everything they can to appease Auston Matthews and make this a very quick return to contention.
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