The Toronto Maple Leafs may finally have their backup goaltender.
Less than an hour after Michael Hutchinson looked shaky in a 5-3 Toronto loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday, the Maple Leafs announced they had traded for Los Angeles Kings goalie Jack Campbell. The Leafs also received winger Kyle Clifford in the deal. Toronto sent forward Trevor Moore home to Southern California and dealt the Kings a pair of third-round draft picks as well.
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
TRADE TRACKER: List of deals completed before the NHL deadline
Hutchinson's struggles as the main understudy to Toronto starter Frederik Andersen appear to have prompted the late-night trade, with the Leafs seemingly eager to have Campbell start Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. With a 3.66 goals-against average and .886 save percentage through 15 games, Hutchinson has come under fire in Toronto — especially with Andersen on the shelf with a neck injury.
It seems as though Wednesday's performance was the last straw for Leafs brass. Hutchinson gave up two goals in six seconds in the middle period and five overall.
Michael Hutchinson has given up three goals or more in a period in nine of his 15 appearances this season.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 6, 2020
Campbell, 28, has an 8-10-0-2 record in 20 games for the Kings this season, with a 2.85 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. He was selected 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2011 NHL Draft but made only one appearance for them before moving to Los Angeles. It took him until last season to establish himself as the regular backup behind Jonathan Quick. He played 31 times for LA in the 2018-19 campaign.
In addition to addressing their situation in net, the Leafs added experience up front with the 29-year-old Clifford. The 10th-year veteran will provide grit and a bit of scoring; he set career highs in goals (11), assists (10) and points (21) last season. The Ayr, Ont., native has six goals, 14 points and 45 penalty minutes in 53 games this season.
The 24-year-old Moore represents another young up-and-comer for the rebuilding Kings. He spent much of his time in Toronto with the Leafs' AHL affiliate. The Thousand Oaks, Calif., native will now look to add to his 13 career NHL points (five goals) with Los Angeles.