At the moment, the Maple Leafs only have one goaltender with NHL experience signed for next season, Joseph Woll. With that in mind, Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic suggested on his latest podcast (video link) that Toronto is likely to sign a pair of experienced netminders for 2024-25. At first glance, finding a partner for Woll will be the top priority while also trying to fill the role that Martin Jones had this season as the veteran third-string option that can be serviceable when called upon. Ilya Samsonov, Matt Murray, and Jones are all set to hit the open market in July with Johnston believing that it’s possible that one of the three could return to fill one of those two spots.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic:
- Speaking at his introductory press conference yesterday, new Senators head coach Travis Green told reporters including Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch that he’s open to having Daniel Alfredsson return as an assistant coach next season. Alfredsson rejoined Ottawa as a development coach for last season but moved behind the bench as an assistant when Jacques Martin took over as interim head coach midseason. Alfredsson is believed to be weighing a decision as to whether he wants to stay behind the bench regularly or go back to his originally planned role.
- Lightning prospect Nick Malik is on the move as HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga announced that they’ve signed the netminder to a two-year deal. The 22-year-old was a fifth-round pick (160th overall) back in 2022 after a strong first season with KooKoo in Finland. However, the last two years haven’t gone as well; his save percentage dropped to .889 in 38 games this season, 33 points down from 2021-22. Considering that Tampa Bay hasn’t signed him yet coupled with this news, it looks unlikely that he’ll receive his entry-level deal by the June 1st deadline.
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