John Chayka set to make big Maple Leafs trade involving goaltender
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Sam Ersson nine days ago. Two insiders now suggest he may be on his way back out.
Elliotte Friedman said on 32 Thoughts that he is not convinced the Leafs keep Ersson.
Re Maple Leafs/Sam Ersson: "I'm not convinced they keep him."
- Elliotte Friedman
- Elliotte Friedman
That carries weight given Ersson only arrived June 16 from Philadelphia, part of the deal that sent Joseph Woll to the Flyers.
Ersson posted a 14-11-5 record, a .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average in 33 games last season.
Johnston flags veteran goalie as a genuine possibility
Chris Johnston said on the Steve Dangle Podcast that a veteran goalie addition would not surprise him at all.
Re Maple Leafs: "It wouldn't surprise me at all if they bring in a veteran goalie."
- Chris Johnston
- Chris Johnston
Two respected voices, same day, same door.
Dennis Hildeby finished 2025-26 with a .910 save percentage in 19 appearances but the Leafs have not treated him as a full-time starter yet.
A veteran on a short deal covers that gap while Hildeby continues to develop.
What Chayka actually bought with the Ersson trade
Ersson is an unsigned restricted free agent, meaning Chayka can re-sign him cheaply, flip him for an asset, or use him as depth.
That is flexibility, not a plan.
The real question heading into the offseason is whether any veteran available this summer is a genuine upgrade over what Ersson becomes at 26 playing behind a healthier team.
Toronto has cycled through stopgap goalies for years while the structural crease problem compounds quietly behind them.
Chayka has the flexibility to break that pattern. What he does with it this summer will be telling.
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