Ex-Leafs goalie placed on waivers a week after signing an NHL contract

Just before the holiday break, we saw the Detroit Red Wings add some much needed goaltending depth when they signed former Maple Leafs goaltender Michael Hutchinson to a one-year, two-way deal. Now, just over one week later, the Red Wings have placed Hutchinson on waivers.

Hutchinson joins former 1st round pick Tyson Jost as the two names that landed on the waiver wire on Thursday.


Hutchinson has been a journeyman goaltender most of his career, spending time in the Bruins, Kings, Jets, Panthers, Leafs, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Blue Jackets and, now, the Red Wings. Hutchinson spent parts of 4 seasons in Toronto, split between the Leafs and Marlies from 2018-2022.


During his tenure with the Leafs, Hutchinson was never more than a 3rd or 4th string goalie, only called upon when illness or injury struck.

Meanwhile, Jost, 25, was originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche 10th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft - the same draft in which Auston Matthews was selected 1st overall by the Maple Leafs.

Following a rocky 6-year stint with the Avs organization, Jost was traded to the Minnesota Wild, where he spent parts of two seasons before being claimed by the Buffalo Sabres on waivers last season.

Jost originally appeared to be righting the ship in his first season in Buffalo last year, registering 22 points in 59 games with the Sabres. This past summer, he signed a 1-year extension in Buffalo worth $2M.

It's highly unlikely that the Leafs submit a claim for either player, as Hutchinson doesn't necessarily provide much of an upgrade over the struggling Ilya Samsonov, and Jost, with his $2M cap hit, won't fit, given the Leafs' current cap situation.