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Toronto Maple Leafs Jack Campbell Is the Best Goalie in the NHL

By Mike Jack

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 7: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 7: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to playing against the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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With the odds stacked against him, Toronto Maple Leafs goalie, Jack Campbell, has become the best goaltender in the NHL.

Jack Campbell has backstopped the Toronto Maple Leafs with NHL bests in wins (10), save percentage (.944), and goals against average (1.63).  He also has the second most shutouts with three.

It’s been a long road for Jack Campbell after being drafted into the NHL 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2010, but the 29 year old netminder has now proven to the world that he was worthy of his first round selection.

Campbell struggled while with the Dallas Stars organization and was even demoted the their ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads, as recently as the 2015-16 season.  It’s been said that Jack Campbell really struggled with his confidence and was in a dark place mentally and emotionally.

After a trade to the Los Angeles Kings in the summer of 2016, Jack Campbell slowing began his uphill journey with help from the Kings coaching staff and long time Kings starter, Jonathan Quick.

By the 2018-19 season, Jack Campbell looked like one of the best backup goaltenders in the NHL posting a .928 save percentage and 2.30 goals against average while backing up Jonathan Quick in LA.

Jack Campbell’s Rise with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Perhaps the greatest transaction Toronto Maple Leafs GM, Kyle Dubas, has made since joining the organization was acquiring Jack Campbell along with Kyle Clifford for Trevor Moore and two 3rd round draft picks in February 2020.  Especially considering that Campbell’s current cap hit is merely $1.65 million.

Last season Jack Campbell seemed to shock the hockey world as he set a Toronto Maple Leafs record for most consecutive wins by a goaltender and an NHL record for most wins by a goaltender to start a season with 11 consecutive wins.

These records combined with the declining stats of goaltender, Freddie Andersen, led to Jack Campbell securing the Toronto Maple Leafs starting goalie job to start the 2021 NHL playoffs.

Other Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltenders

Often goaltending stats get criticized because sometimes they reflect the defensive skills of the team just as much as the skills of the goaltender.  I’m not saying that the Toronto Maple Leafs are a particularly good or bad team defensively, but if the team were extremely defensively sound, their other goaltenders besides Jack Campbell would probably produce better stats.

Petr Mrazek hasn’t gotten to play much due to injury, but his .877 save percentage and 4.20 goals against average has been disappointing.  Michael Hutchinson has a .857 save percentage and 4.56 goals against average while rookie, Joseph Woll, has a .852 save percentage and 4.00 goals against average.

Next. Top 10 Leafs Goalies of All Time. dark

Despite his amazing performance, there is still some doubt surrounding the possibility of Jack Campbell joining the US Olympic team.  Hopefully Campbell will get the opportunity to realize his Olympic dream.

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