Maple Leafs circle back to previous option in net!

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender Petr Mrazek to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night and didn’t retain any of Mrazek’s salary in the transaction.

Making this move opens up some much-needed salary cap room for the Leafs and might allow them to circle back to pending unrestricted free agent netminder Jack Campbell, who was previously presumed to have priced himself out of Toronto.

Insider Chris Johnston reports that GM Kyle Dubas will meet with Campbell in the days ahead.

Campbell is believed to be seeking a five-year contract in the $5 million average annual value range. Now with Toronto having an additional $3.8 million in cap space after trading Mrazek and the 25th overall pick to the Blackhawks on Thursday for the 38th overall selection, it could work in Campbell’s favour.

Toronto however finds itself with competition on Campbell, who is believed to be a top target for the Edmonton Oilers in free agency.

There seems to be a potential backup plan with Matt Murray, who is believed to be open to a trade to the Maple Leafs. However, the option of Murray is not as exciting for the Toronto fanbase than Campbell’s return is…

Murray has been limited to just 47 starts over his first two seasons in Ottawa since signing a four-year, $25 million contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million. He put up a .906 save percentage and 3.05 goals-against average in 20 games in 2021-22 while missing significant time with an upper-body injury.