The Toronto Maple Leafs got some unfortunate news this weekend as backup goaltender Petr Mrazek is expected to miss four weeks with a groin injury. An injury that has hampered him most of the season, he reaggravated it this past week and will need to take time to recover. The Maple Leafs recalled Joseph Will from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL in a corresponding move, but this may be just a temporary move.
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Mrazek will go on LTIR, retroactive to November 4th. Mark Zwolinski of The Toronto Star is reporting that Toronto is expected to recall Michael Hutchinson to take over the backup role to Jack Campbell. He adds, “Hutchinson will likely see at least one game this week, as Toronto plays four games, including a back-to-back Friday and Saturday.”
This is not great timing for the Leafs who were just starting to rebound from a slow start to their season. Their stars are starting to look like their stars and while Campbell is shining over the course of these recent wins, asking him to stay this hot so the Leafs can avoid calling upon their backups is a tall task.
Mrázek is 1-1 so far, with a 4.20 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage. Perhaps Hutchinson will be considered an improvement. He’s got a career 2.79 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage over 137 NHL games.
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