The Toronto Maple Leafs, frequently plagued by injuries in the crease, are aggressively seeking goaltending insurance this offseason. After trading Joseph Woll to Philadelphia for defenceman Emil Andrae earlier this month, the team has added two mid-round goalies in the 2026 NHL draft and is circling veteran Sergei Bobrovsky as a potential free-agent addition.
Injury History Drives Goaltending Moves
General manager John Chayka acknowledged that health concerns prompted the Woll trade. Both Woll and projected No. 1 Anthony Stolarz have significant injury histories, with Stolarz nursing a post-season groin injury until being declared fit last week. “Obviously health and durability have been the question,” Stolarz said at the draft. “But you can’t guarantee that’s going to be different with another goalie we bring in.”
Chayka hinted that the development of young netminders like Arturs Akhtyamov, who led the AHL Marlies to the Calder Cup with a .923 save percentage, and Dennis Hildeby, who posted a .914 save percentage in 20 Leafs games last season, has created internal debate. “We’ve got this really interesting goalie pipeline,” Chayka said. “Part of our evaluation is the young guys and what they’ve shown. We’re trying to balance that and Anthony, who by our models has been our top goalie the past two years.”
Bobrovsky Rumours Intensify
As 37-year-old Stanley Cup winner Sergei Bobrovsky approaches free agency, the Leafs are among teams linked to the veteran. Bobrovsky’s camp is seeking a multi-year deal, but the Florida Panthers may balk at his price as they look to upgrade elsewhere. “Bob is a guy that has done so much for our organization and we continue to evaluate every single day,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said. “Until doors close, you never know.”
Chayka indicated the Leafs would take “bigger swings” once the free-agent market opens, likely including Bobrovsky if available. Stolarz previously backed up Bobrovsky on Florida’s 2024 Cup-winning team, adding familiarity.
Draft Adds Two Goaltenders
At the draft, the Leafs selected goaltenders Jusso Ainasto and Patriks Plumins with consecutive picks in the third and fourth rounds (85th and 115th overall), the first time in 25 years the team took goalies back-to-back. Ainasto, 6-foot-4, and Plumins, 6-foot-3, are considered long-term projects. “It’s a high-variance position, so you have to place your bets,” Chayka said. “Curtis McElhinney (director of goalie development) oversees that. I thought he was very judicious in how he laid out the draft.”
Assistant GM Judd Brackett noted the projection involved: “There’s some projecting there, but the goaltending evaluation staff here have done an excellent job. There’s a lot of trust there. If they like a goalie, we’re excited, too.”
Outlook
While goaltending isn’t the Leafs’ most pressing need now, it will become critical once the season starts and especially if they contend for the playoffs. Chayka has flexibility to add a veteran via free agency or trade, with Bobrovsky as the top target. The internal competition from Akhtyamov and Hildeby could also shape the crease in Toronto.
