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Toronto Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell Proving Last Year Was No Fluke

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are benefitting from Jack Campbell being a late bloomer. He has been outstanding since his arrival in February 2020.

It looks like the trade to Toronto was the best thing to ever happen for Campbell. He has waited a long time to become a number one goaltender in the NHL, and that wait is over.

Even though Campbell won his first 11 games last season, which set a new NHL record, there were still many doubters. He finished the 2020-21 season with a 17-3-2 record. To some doubters, that is too small of a sample size.

That brings us to this season, and so far, Campbell has a 10-3-1 record to start the season. Since joining the Maple Leafs, Campbell’s overall record in Toronto is 30-8-4, with five shutouts in 42 starts. He has helped the team secure 64 points out of a possible 84 points when he is playing.

Toronto Maple Leafs Clearly Have Their New Number One Goalie

Toronto has not had many games this season where they win by more than two goals. This team is doing something it has rarely done in the past they win close games.

The main reason for them winning those close games is the play of Jack Campbell. When the Maple Leafs have a one or two-goal lead late in a game, Campbell seems to find another gear to preserve the win.

It was believed going into this season that Campbell and Toronto’s newest goaltender, Petr Mrazek, would split the goaltending duties 50/50. With the state of Mrazek’s ongoing injury problems, Campbell will be counted on more heavily. Look for Campbell to get somewhere between 55 to 60 starts this season.

Some doubters might think that is too big of a workload for a goaltender who has never made more than 26 starts in a season. For Campbell, this could be the perfect season to test that out. Not only will Campbell benefit from a short Christmas break in December, but he will also benefit from the Olympic break in February.

Those two breaks in the season could help Campbell take that next step as a starting goaltender. The perfect learning curve season before needing to do it without an Olympic break next season.

Will Jack Campbell Be Playing For The Toronto Maple Leafs Next Season?

With each win he collects this season, some believe that Campbell is pricing himself out of Toronto. I don’t think that is the case. He seems to genuinely enjoy playing in Toronto. Campbell will likely earn more than Mrazek’s $3.8 million on his next deal, but I don’t see his next deal having an AAV higher than $5 million.

According to capfriendly.com, Toronto currently has $6.2 million in salary-cap space next season. The salary cap is expected to go up by at least $1 million next season, so that would give Toronto $7.2 million in cap space.

Next. Why the Leafs Won't Trade Dermott or Holl. dark

Campbell is the top unrestricted free agent Toronto has to worry about this off-season on their roster. So I’m sure they’ll find a way to re-sign him.

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