Frederik Andersen will be back in the number one spot between the pipes for the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday as the team gets set to take on the Dallas Stars. Andersen has not played since suffering a neck injury on February 3rd. This, and the recent trade that brought goaltender Jack Campbell to the Leafs from the L.A. Kings means Michael Hutchinson is the odd man out.
Toronto has placed Hutchinson on waivers for the second time this season. It's doubtful he'll be claimed and will most likely join the Marlies in the AHL for his second stint. He played three games with the team earlier this season where he posted much better numbers than he has in the NHL this year. In 15 games with the Leafs in 2019-20, Hutchinson has a record of 4-9-1, with a 3.66 goals against average and a save percentage of .886. Toronto was hoping for much better from their backup goaltender and they've gotten it from Campbell, who has two wins in three games since coming over from the Kings, on top of a .918 save percentage and a 2.85 GAA.
It's likely Hutchinson will only get back to the NHL again this season if the Leafs face further injuries to either Andersen or Campbell. Even then, Toronto will likely ride Campbell or Andersen as much as possible, meaning Hutchinson will be mostly be sitting on the bench either way.
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