The lone player in this series to feature for the Orlando Solar Bears in 2016-17, Kasimir Kaskisuo had a very up and down debut season in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Toronto Maple Leafs Roster Preview, 50-in-50: Kasimir Kaskisuo
After two impressive years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Kasimir Kaskisuo decided to forego his final two years of collegiate eligibility to sign with the Maple Leafs last summer. With a crowded crease at Ricoh Coliseum, with the likes of Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks, the rookie found himself down in the ECHL with Orlando for most of the season.
The Toronto Marlies had a crowded crease at Ricoh Coliseum with the likes of Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks. As such, the 23-year old rookie found himself down in the ECHL with Orlando for most of the season.
Splitting time with Ryan Massa, Kaskisuo struggled for most of his debut year. He failed to find his footing throughout the ECHL season, faltering to a 3.45 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage over 32 games. Although the ECHL is not friendly to goaltenders, as a .910 SV% would land you in the top 10 with 30+ games played, Kaskisuo’s stats are still not great.
For comparison, Massa appeared in more games for the Solar Bears, playing 41 games over the season. He would post a 3.09 GAA and a .912 SV% in that time, putting himself among the top 10 goaltenders in the league who played over 30 games.
Called Up to the Marlies
Things abruptly changed for Kaskisuo in March, however, when Garret Sparks went down with an injury. Called up to the Marlies on March 16, Kaskisuo quickly stole the net from the struggling Antoine Bibeau. In seven games with the Toronto Marlies, Kaskisuo posted an impressive 1.84 GAA and a .934 SV%, a significant improvement over his ECHL numbers.
This success continued into the Calder Cup Playoffs, where the Finnish netminder would play in 10 games for the Marlies. Against tough competition in two series, Kaskisuo had a 2.66 GAA and a .892 SV%. Bibeau rarely saw the net after Kaskisuo’s call up, while the recovering Sparks was sheltered in the minutes he received.
Profile (via EliteProspects)
Age: 23
Position: G
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 201 lbs
NHL Draft: Undrafted, Signed on March 28, 2016, by Toronto
Contract (via CapFriendly)
As an undrafted collegiate free agent, Kasimir Kaskisuo was able to garner Schedule A bonuses from the Toronto Maple Leafs in March of 2016.
With a signing bonus of $92,500, as well as a potential $850,000 in performance bonuses, Kaskisuo’s cap hit comes in at the maximum of $925,000. Entering the second year of his two-year entry level deal, he will make $70,000 in the minors. Kaskisuo will be a restricted free agent next summer.
2017-18 Season
2017-18 will be a big “prove it” year for the soon to be 24-year old Finnish netminder. Coming off of a disappointing debut season in the ECHL, Kaskisuo is the de facto backup this year for the Marlies.
With Antoine Bibeau unqualified and gone to San Jose, the net is Garret Sparks at the Ricoh Coliseum. The backup job goes to Kaskisuo, who will look to continue his late-season success into 2017-18.
It doesn’t go without competition, however. The Marlies signed journeyman netminder Cal Heeter last week on a one-year AHL contract to help provide depth, likely in the case of injury. With very solid numbers in 2016-17, Heeter could pressure Kaskisuo for minutes with the Marlies if the young Finnish goaltender falters once again.
As standard player contract spots become more and more valuable in the Leafs organization, Kaskisuo will need a big year to retain a position in the organization. At nearly 24, his time to prove himself as a legitimate NHL prospect is quickly running out.
The Leafs have Joseph Woll and recently drafted Ian Scott waiting in the wings as well. Scott must be signed by June 1, 2019, while Woll doesn’t need to be signed until August 15, 2020. Another poor season from Kaskisuo and his time in Toronto could be up.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
