TORONTO (AP) -Goaltender Vesa Toskala signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, hoping for a new start after failing to supplant Evgeni Nabokov for the No. 1 job in San Jose.
He signed an $8 million, two-year extension and will earn nearly $1.4 million next season. He could have entered the free-agent market next summer.
“I think it’s a great chance for me here,” Toskala said Wednesday. “That’s why it was good to get this done soon so now I can turn my full focus to getting in the best possible shape and be ready when the season starts.”
Toskala was 26-10-1 with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage with the Sharks last season. Toronto acquired the 30-year-old goalie at the NHL entry draft June 22 along with forward Mark Bell from the Sharks for first-, second- and fourth-round draft picks.
The Leafs have yet to declare Toskala their top goaltender, but the expectation is he’ll get every chance to carry the load with incumbent Andrew Raycroft.
“It’s a new challenge and I think it’s also a good chance for me,” Toskala said. “I’m really excited. It’s going to be a tough competition with Andrew, but still I think it’s a good chance for me.”
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