Comparing The State Of The Franchise: Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs
By Jack Leiper
The Goaltenders
Oct 5, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier (45) stops a shot by Ottawa Senators left wing Milan Michalek (9) at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 5-4 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
For two teams that haven’t had too many certainties, goaltending has been certain for each team. In Toronto, the arrival of Jonathan Bernier solidified a good duo, and Ottawa finds themselves having organizational depth in the goaltending position.
The LEAFS:
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The Leafs have had some steady goaltending over the past two years. Jonathan Bernier has posted an above average save percentage on a below average team and James Reimer has been a steady backup and occasional starter for the leafs.
The Bernier trade looks like an absolute steal as the Leafs now have a solid duo going forward as both goaltenders are still young enough to be considered pieces for the future. Bernier’s contract is up this off-season and he is due for a raise over his current AAV of $2.3 million.
The steadiness earns the Toronto Maple Leafs a good grade as they have an above average NHL duo.
Grade: A-
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The SENATORS:
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Craig Anderson has shown the Senators he’s one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. With an average Sv% of .921 over the last three seasons, Anderson is top 10 in the league in that category. Robin Lehner has played at the league average as a 23-year-old, proving himself to be a steady goaltender.
Andrew Hammond has out-of-this-world numbers and is a pending UFA. As it stands today, the Senators have three good goaltenders in their NHL system.
Due to age and contract situation, Ottawa receives an A- as well, matching Toronto in the criteria of Goaltenders as each team has a pretty good system in place.
Grade: A-
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Winner: Tie
League rank found using Hockey-Reference’s Player Season Finder*
Page 5: The Prospects