In a surprising move within the NHL, Dryden McKay, a promising goaltender, has exited the Toronto Maple Leafs' system, signing with the LA Kings organization.
The Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Kings, heralded McKay's acquisition on Friday, signaling fresh beginnings for the 2024-25 season.
At 26 years old, McKay's journey has been nothing short of a grind. The Illinois-born goalie, who clinched the Hobey Baker Award back in the 2020-21 season, has predominantly showcased his skills with the Maple Leafs' now-defunct ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers. Over the last season, McKay notched 8 wins and posted a save percentage of .897 and a goals-against average of 3.38 across 35 games. His limited stint with the Toronto Marlies, where he appeared in just two games during the 2022-2023 season, adds another layer to his professional narrative.
The move to the Kings might be seen as a pivotal moment in McKay's career, especially considering the backdrop of NHL goalies, like former Maple Leaf Jack Campbell, who carved paths through the ECHL before hitting their stride in the major league. Campbell's own journey saw him spend a season in the ECHL during 2014-15, only to rise as an NHL mainstay four years later.
This transaction prompts a reflective look at the potential lingering within McKay. Having already captured one of college hockey's highest honors, his track record suggests there may be untapped talent waiting to emerge. The Kings appear ready to provide the platform McKay needs to unlock this potential, possibly turning him into the diamond in the rough that the Maple Leafs might regret letting slip away.
As the Kings bolster their goaltending cadre, the NHL community will be watching to see if this shift is the catalyst McKay needs to elevate his game to the heights many believe he is capable of reaching.
