Kyle Dubas linked to Stanley Cup winning goaltender via trade talks

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Josh tupper
November 8, 2022 (3:24 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have already battled injury issues with their goaltenders this season Goaltender Joseph Woll has yet to play a game, Matt Murray has only played one game and now Ilya Samsonov is battling a knee injury he suffered on a Brad Marchand penalty shot. The Maple Leafs are currently dressing Erik Kallgren and Keith Petruzzelli as their goaltenders.

A tandem of Kallgren and Petruzzelli is not ideal, but no NHL team plans to be battling 3 injuries to their top 4 goalies at one time. The Maple Leafs have now reportedly turned to examining the trade market for potential solutions to their goaltender problem. According to Frank Seravalli, that search has led to the Maple Leafs focusing their attention on Jonathan Quick as a potential solution in goal.

Jonathan Quick the two-time Stanley Cup winner and lifelong Los Angeles King is closing in on 750 games with the franchise. He was excellent last season with a .910 save percentage in a big bounce back year. Quick has probably been a little better this season than his overall numbers would indicate, posting a career-high save percentage (small sample size) against high-danger scoring chances. Would the Kings move him? The complicating factor is Cal Petersen has really struggled to find his game these last two seasons � and he's in the first year of a $15 million contract. If Petersen and Phoenix Copley, one of the better third goalies out there, could carry the ball � then it's a possibility. Kyle Dubas and Rob Blake have made deals before. Quick has the pedigree and he wants to win. He is the ultimate competitor. Quick does not have any no-trade protection, but he might be able to get a good lay of the land from his brother-in-law, Maple Leafs pro scout Matt Moulson. What would Quick cost? That's the interesting question. Would Nick Robertson and a third-round pick get it done? Would that be enough to entice the Kings to move one of their franchise pillars in a year with increased expectations? Maybe not.

It's almost impossible to picture Quick wearing any jersey but a King's jersey, but the salary cap has made this all that more common. It's clear that Kyle Dubas knows his job is on the line and if he can't keep a healthy goaltender in goal, he'll have no choice but to make a move to try and push his team beyond the first round.