3 Maple Leafs’ trade targets to provide goaltending depth through injury troubles
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ starting goaltenders have struggled to stay healthy, and there’s a very good chance general manager Brad Treliving works the phones to tap in around the league to see what kind of help is available.
Here’s three potential trade targets for Treliving to consider:
Laurent Brossoit, Chicago Blackhawks
Brossoit’s working his way from injury, and has been on a rehab assignment with the Rockford IceHogs. At this point, he’s only appeared in one game and didn’t look great, but to be fair, he hasn’t played since the 2023-24 season, when as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, he posted a record of 15-5-2, with a 2.00 goals against average, and .927 save percentage.
If Brossoit joins the Maple Leafs, gives them a veteran to pair with Dennis Hildeby, and he does everything they ask of him, once Stolarz and Woll come back, he’ll likely to clear waivers, just based on his contract alone. A short drive down to the Toronto Marlies, Brossoit could continue to get some reps in the AHL, and be ready if another injury presents itself. And, considering how bad Maccelli has been, this could be a way to not only secure some goaltending depth, but also give Maccelli a much-needed change of scenery after just a few months with the Maple Leafs.
Devin Cooley, Calgary Flames
Yes, any trade involving Calgary and Treliving is going to be complicated, but considering how well Cooley is playing, the fact he’s cheap, and a pending free-agent, the Maple Leafs should at least check in.
The 28-year-old Flames’ netminder has appeared in 11 games this season, registering a 3-3-2 record, along with a 2.17 GAA and .920 Sv.%. He only has 17 games of NHL experience under his belt, so Flames GM Craig Conroy won’t be able to ask for a ton in any trade.
With the Flames comfortably out of the playoff picture, it’s only a matter of time before Conroy starts to sell off some assets, and depending on the severity of both Stolarz, and Woll’s injuries, Treliving could have a intriguing option for depth in Cooley, who is only owed $775,000 this season.
Alex Nedeljkovic, San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have Yaroslav Askarov as their goaltender of the future, and they have some history making moves with the Maple Leafs, so, could goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic be available?
The 29-year-old is 3-5-2 on the year, has posted a 3.19 GAA in 12 games, but is coming off a decent season with a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team, when he tallied a 3.12 GAA in 38 games. He’s set to earn $2.5 million AAV this season, and has no trade protection, and is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Nedeljkovic wouldn’t cost a ton to acquire, he has 191 games of NHL experience under his belt, and his best season came just two years ago when he went 18-7-7 for the Pens. He’s got lots of game left, and could be a solid third-stringer for the Maple Leafs, who are in a terrible spot having both of their top-two goalies out with injuries.
At the end of the day, Treliving doesn’t have a ton of options to consider on a very weak goalie trade market, but, he’s going to have to consider making a move with the current injury status, and history of both Stolarz and Woll.