Toronto Maple Leafs facing goaltending controversy similar to Tuukka Rask

The Toronto Maple Leafs could find themselves in a difficult position with their goaltenders just like they were nearly 20 years ago when they decided to trade Tuukka Rask.

At the time, trading Rask to the Bruins for goaltender Andrew Raycroft seemed like a good idea. In just over 100 career games with the Bruins, Raycroft had put up a very respectable .908 save percentage and a 2.61 goals-against-average. He won the Calder trophy in the 2003-04 season with a .926 save percentage and a miniscule 2.05 GAA.

However, the Leafs bungled the situation as they forced Raycroft into 72 games in his first season in Toronto. His previous career high in games played was 57 when he won the Calder trophy. The increased work load proved to be too much for the netminder as his stats plummeted, with his save percentage dropping below .900 and his GAA ballooning up to just under 3.00. He also lead the league in goals against with 205.

The following season was even worse as he got into just 19 games and put up a horrific 2-9-5 record to go along with an .874 save percentage and a 3.92 GAA. That was his last year in Toronto.

After that, Raycroft bounced around the league, only playing 81 more games before calling it quits. Rask on the other hand, is a consideration for the Hockey Hall of Fame with 308 career wins and a career save percentage of .921.

This summer, the Leafs signed Anthony Stolarz to form a tandem with young netminder Joseph Woll. The former Panther put up terrific numbers last season and has decent numbers overall in his career.

However, the 30-year-old has played in just 108 career games. Similarly, Woll has played in just 36 NHL games. As such, the team has the least experienced tandem in the NHL.

Stolarz is believed to have been brought in in an effort to ease Woll into the starter's job. But what if Stolarz himself greatly outperforms Woll? Will the team look to make him the starter and re-sign him, or will they stick with the plan and go with Woll long-term? Should they pick the former option, they could very well end up trading Woll in another move that could haunt the team for years if not decades to come.

Source: MapleLeafsDailyToronto Maple Leafs facing similar dilemma that previously cost them Tuukka Rask

Source: HockeyReferenceTuukka Rask Career Stats

Source: HockeyReferenceAndrew Raycroft Career Stats

Source: HockeyReferenceJoseph Woll Career Stats

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