• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks Goaltending

THW Goalie News: Hutchinson Meltdown, Maple Leafs Acquire Campbell

By Stephen Ground February 6th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the focus of the goalie news, as they made a massive trade after a major meltdown. Let’s look at the two events chronologically.

Hutchinson Meltdown

Following Frederik Andersen’s injury, Michael Hutchinson quickly became the biggest question in Toronto. Could the backup goaltender shoulder the burden of a starter’s role in Andersen’s absence? Or would he continue to struggle like he had most of the season, despite recent improvement?

Michael Hutchinson Toronto Maple Leafs
Michael Hutchinson, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Hutchinson and the Maple Leafs answered that question quickly — in the space of six seconds, actually. Late in the first period, New York Rangers forwards Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider scored consecutive goals six seconds apart. Though Hutchinson ultimately saved 30-of-34 shots (for a save percentage of .882), that brief meltdown must have been enough to send Maple Leafs’ general manager Kyle Dubas to the phones.

It can’t exactly come as a surprise, though. Toronto’s backup position is a difficult one to hold down at the best of times. This season, Hutchinson’s .886 SV% and 3.62 goals-against average (GAA, entering Wednesday) have not been nearly enough to get the job done, nor has his 4-9-1 record. The Maple Leafs need to fill their backup position on a budget, but even so, they needed more than they were getting. Now, they’ll hope their newest acquisition can do what Hutchinson couldn’t.

Maple Leafs Acquire Campbell, Clifford

Though Dubas has reportedly been in contact with the Los Angeles Kings for some time, the negotiations obviously became of primary importance during the course of the Rangers’ defeat. The Maple Leafs didn’t waste any time, getting a deal arranged to acquire backup goaltender Jack Campbell, along with former Dubas client Kyle Clifford.

The @MapleLeafs have acquired goaltender Jack Campbell and forward Kyle Clifford from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Trevor Moore, Columbus’ third round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and a conditional third round pick in 2021. #LeafsForever

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 6, 2020

The details of the trade are fairly simple: the Leafs acquire Campbell and Clifford. In exchange, they surrender Trevor Moore, a 24-year-old forward, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft (acquired from Columbus via a trade with the Ottawa Senators), and a conditional third-round pick in 2021. Pierre LeBrun reports that the conditional pick could become a second-round pick either if Clifford re-signs with the Maple Leafs, or if the team makes the playoffs and Campbell wins six or more regular-season games.

Campbell, 28, is contracted through the 2021-22 season, giving the Maple Leafs flexibility for the upcoming 2021 Seattle expansion draft. In fact, Campbell is now the longest-contracted goalie in Toronto, as Andersen’s contract will expire after the 2020-21 season. It is a simple, reasonably-priced, low-cost acquisition for the Maple Leafs. But can Campbell provide what they need on the ice?

Campbell’s Performance

Fans who look immediately at Campbell’s 2019-20 performance may wonder why the Maple Leafs acquired him. He is 8-10-2 with a .900 SV% and 2.85 GAA, hardly inspiring stats. Add to it his minus-4.82 goals saved above average (GSAA) and .350 quality start percentage (QS%), and he doesn’t seem like much of an improvement on Hutchinson. Fortunately, his history promises better performances.

Jack Campbell LA Kings
New Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell in his time with the Los Angeles Kings (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Before this season, in which the Kings are a disaster at the distant bottom of the Western Conference, Campbell’s numbers are much better. Last season was his breakout campaign, and also his first with significant playing time. He went 10-14-1 and had a .928 SV% and a 2.30 GAA. His GSAA was ridiculous at 15.16, and his QS% was .640. Impressively, the Kings were at the bottom of the Western Conference last season as well.

Los Angeles rewarded the strong performance with a contract extension prior to the season. While it’s difficult to identify what explains the downturn in Campbell’s numbers, the Maple Leafs are obviously anticipating a return to form worthy of that contract. Only time will tell. But in the meantime, Dubas has answered the most pressing question facing his team.

Lehner’s Jaw-Dropper

We’d be remiss if we closed the goalie news without discussing the jaw-dropping save from Chicago Blackhawks’ goaltender Robin Lehner. Take a look for yourself.

👏 de 👏 nied 👏 #WNH

📺: https://t.co/5s73aVG0W3 @NHLonNBCSports pic.twitter.com/Ol0ERVoQYm

— NHL (@NHL) February 6, 2020

A pass reaches David Krejčí on Lehner’s blindside, sliding through four Blackhawks’ defenders. But Krejčī bobbles it just enough to give Lehner time to react. The netminder sprawls across the net and makes an incredible save. It wasn’t enough to secure the victory, but it may have saved a point for the Blackhawks. Lehner continues to make the case that he deserves a big raise this offseason, wherever he ends up.

Catch up on all the latest NHL Goalie News

  • Tags
  • Jack Campbell
  • Michael Hutchinson
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 27th 5:45 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers Goaltending Struggles Show Georgiev Is Best Option

Jan 27th 5:30 PM
Column

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Holl, Andersen, Marner, Matthews & Woll

Jan 27th 5:20 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Season Ticket Sales at UBS Arena Exceeding Expectations

Jan 27th 5:10 PM
Edmonton Oilers

4 Ups and 4 Downs Eight Games Into Oilers 2020-21 NHL Season

Jan 27th 4:35 PM
Column

Blues Weekly: Standout Performances Highlight .500 Week

Jan 27th 4:15 PM
Arizona Coyotes

Soup To Nuts, Coyotes Make Moves To Improve On All Levels

Jan 27th 4:05 PM
Commentary

3 Stars That Could Be Traded in the Wake of the Laine/Dubois Deal

Jan 27th 3:55 PM
Editor's Choice

3 Best Edmonton Oilers to Never Win a Stanley Cup

Jan 27th 3:45 PM
Fantasy

Kings’ 5 Most Valuable Players for Fantasy Hockey

Jan 27th 3:35 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Why Burke Anticipates the Tortorella, Laine Relationship Will Be ‘Just Fine’ [Video]

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information