> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Wednesday FTB: Erik Källgren brings hope - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-wednesday-ftb-erik-kallgren-brings-hope-goaltending-goalies-news-links-nhl/ - Published: 2022-03-16T10:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2022-03-16T10:00:00.000Z - Description: Relive the rookie’s debut shutout - Author: Hardev - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15 It’s been so rare to see a solid goaltending performance, Maple Leafs fans have every right to overreact to last night’s shutout win over the Dallas Stars. Erik Källgren stopped 35 shots in his first NHL start, becoming the 25th goalie in NHL history to do so. Even if Dallas isn’t the most offensive team — and didn’t put up very good numbers despite trailing for much of the game — but they had moments, big and small, that have gone in against the Leafs in the recent past. Källgren stopped those chances at the end of the first, in the middle of the second, and in the beginning of the third, to keep the Leafs ahead. And the skaters responded by not trying to do too much and just played their game. Here’s a selection of his saves on the night. Thank you as always to Omar. > Källgren grabs the bouncing puck through traffic [pic.twitter.com/faaXibkvPu](https://t.co/faaXibkvPu?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503878313990922240?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Erik Källgren extends the left leg then holds the post with his right [pic.twitter.com/kjcCrfoqrW](https://t.co/kjcCrfoqrW?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503879947668144130?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Källgren makes the stop through traffic [pic.twitter.com/6SfKAvSAN1](https://t.co/6SfKAvSAN1?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503886243632975874?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Källgren's looking steady [pic.twitter.com/N8d5J7vQnm](https://t.co/N8d5J7vQnm?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503887070871314438?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Scotiabank Arena loves Erik Kallgren [pic.twitter.com/TloxQPxZDZ](https://t.co/TloxQPxZDZ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503903787483807745?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) At the end of the night, Källgren got the first star of the game. You can see his eyes well up with emotion, and honestly I felt it too. > Eric Kallgren gets the First Star > > Pats the crest as the crowd cheers. Love it [pic.twitter.com/uxoW8lrSSh](https://t.co/uxoW8lrSSh?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1503907517604241411?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > KÄLLY SHOWER! 💙 [pic.twitter.com/iSOUjVoqMW](https://t.co/iSOUjVoqMW?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1503910171180949506?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > What a night! 🤗 [pic.twitter.com/Eo7nbnF8ta](https://t.co/Eo7nbnF8ta?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1503930767621201923?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Looking forward for the Leafs, I can’t see them not playing Källgren for as long as they possibly can, especially leading up to the trade deadline. If they can get Campbell back, and Källgren looks bedded in and comfortable, there won’t be a need to get another goalie. The worst case scenario for the Leafs would them having to spend assets on a goalie this deadline, so if Källgren can play, it helps them out a lot. The focus should then shift to defense and forward. Reports are that Kyle Dubas has widened his scope from just getting one defender to looking at multiple positions. I can see them trading Justin Holl for a cheaper equivalent that will work better with Muzzin when he returns (I don’t see them trying to swing for the fences here), and then bringing in another forward, preferably one with some centre experience that can help the second line offensively. Alex Kerfoot has been okay at it this year, but the team might need the cap space instead. The key is finding players who will impact the results on the ice for the team (for example the defensive numbers for Nylander’s line), and will be someone Sheldon Keefe will trust to play. Speaking of Keefe, he’s hit. milestone as the fastest Leafs coach to 100 wins, and tied for fifth fastest in NHL history with Dan Bylsma when he was with the prime Crosby and Malkin Pittsburgh Penguins. > Tonight’s win was Sheldon Keefe’s 100th regular season victory with the [@MapleLeafs](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) in his 163rd game behind the bench, making him the fastest coach in team history to reach the 100W mark. > > Pat Quinn & Dick Irvin previously held the record w/ 100 wins in 184 games. (Per [@PR\_NHL](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)) > > — Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/LeafsPR/status/1503921152405684225?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Furthermore, speaking of Crosby, only he, Ovechkin, and Tavares have at least 12 20-goal seasons after JT scored his 20th last night. He just keeps doing that, year in year out, eh. > John Tavares recorded the 12th 20-goal season of his career. Only three active players have more: Alex Ovechkin (17), Sidney Crosby (14) and Patrick Kane (13).[#NHLStats](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): [https://t.co/VO6q4Y2RlA](https://t.co/VO6q4Y2RlA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [https://t.co/DvA8QeP1Mt](https://t.co/DvA8QeP1Mt?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL Public Relations (@PR\_NHL) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL/status/1503879711994400768?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) As well, Mitch Marner became the first Leaf to record 40 assists in each of his first six seasons. > Mitchell Marner factored on the opening goal and became the first player in [@MapleLeafs](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) history to begin their career with six consecutive 40-assist seasons.[#NHLStats](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): [https://t.co/VO6q4Y2RlA](https://t.co/VO6q4Y2RlA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/unCk4qWru8](https://t.co/unCk4qWru8?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL Public Relations (@PR\_NHL) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL/status/1503885476155084809?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ### Various Leafs and Branches [Leafs Nihilism](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/leafs-nihilism-toronto-matthews-campbell-mrazek/) | by: Fulemin This is how I pictured Fulemin as he tried to describe how hockey should work, and then how it works for the Leafs. Granted, he did write that pre-Källgren. For all I know he could be jumping through a tulip patch today. [Maple Leafs see Stars, brother battles, and a fantastic debuted](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/toronto-maple-leafs-game-recap-dallas-stars-highlights-maple-leafs-highlights-erik-kallgren-debut/) | by: Seldo [There’s more to the Auston Matthews suspension than meets the eye](https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/opinion/2022/03/14/theres-more-to-the-auston-matthews-suspension-than-meets-the-eye.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) | by: Chris Johnston Last night, Ovechkin hit goal #767, passing the great Jaromir Jagr for fourth all-time in NHL goals. He is only 34 behind Gordie Howe for second. And from there, it’ll be a lonely trek for a couple years before he reaches Mount Gretzky 93 goals further away. Ovechkin is currently 36 years old, meaning he would have to score 30+ goals until he’s 40 to hit the mark, or 40+ goals at ages 37, 38, and 39 to get there. He’s at a 51-goal pace this season alone with 37 in the bank. If he can stay above 40 for the next couple years, I say he does it. > Ovi just scored No. 767\. The Capitals bench emptied and joined Ovi in a massive goal hug after passing Jagr. > > Wow, what a moment. > > — Ian Oland (@ianoland) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/ianoland/status/1503907112400867328?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Wayne Gretzky (894), Gordie Howe (801) and now Alex Ovechkin (767). [pic.twitter.com/lSXPSxw8AW](https://t.co/lSXPSxw8AW?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL (@NHL) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1503911429338017797?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Jaromir Jagr offered his congratulations and, perhaps, a tongue-in-cheek warning to Alex Ovechkin after the Washington Capitals forward scored his 767th NHL goal to pass him for third in history on Tuesday. [@TomGulittiNHL](https://twitter.com/TomGulittiNHL?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) has more: [https://t.co/yB3bpPo3b0](https://t.co/yB3bpPo3b0?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) [March 16, 2022](https://twitter.com/NHLdotcom/status/1503914771120369669?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) One interesting thing to think about ahead of the trade deadline is former KHL players who have terminated their contracts in recent weeks. There are many non-Russians and Russians as well who have given up playing in that league that may be worth looking into. > Anyone who played in Europe would need to clear waivers after signing. As long as a player agrees to a NHL deal prior to 3 p.m. ET on March 21, they'd be eligible to participate in the Stanley Cup playoffs. > > — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1503855354928676874?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) There was a trade yesterday between rivals Colorado and Minnesota. Tyson Jost and Nico Sturm swapped teams in a move that gave the Avs more cap space to go get Claude Giroux. > The [#avs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) didn't retain any salary in the Jost/Sturm trade and shaved $1.275M in cap commitments as a result. > > — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1503803665697714179?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And finally, speaking of Russian defectors, Alexander Mogilny reached 1000 points 18 years ago yesterday in 2004\. Yes, that Leafs team everyone always talks about being so good is old enough to get a full driver’s license in Ontario now. > On this date in 2004, [#leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/leafs?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Alexander Mogilny reached 1000th career NHL points. Mogilny becomes just the second Russian player to reach the milestone > > — Jen (@NHLhistorygirl) [March 15, 2022](https://twitter.com/NHLhistorygirl/status/1503782578259562498?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)