Leafs goalie Jack Campbell is turning the conversation to a possible extension with another hot start.

Jack Campbell has certainly changed the discussion about him. He has put aside the question of whether he can handle the role of number one goalkeeper with the Maple Leafs, and raised another: How much is he worth?

Campbell was 5-2-1 to start the season, sixth in the league through Thursday’s games with 1.86 goals against average, and ninth with a .932 save percentage. He has been one of the key figures in the Leafs’ current four-game winning streak.

And with unrestricted free agency on the horizon for Campbell this summer, there is talk of what a contract extension would look like. With seven Leafs in contract years this season and just over $ 75 million (US) pledged in player salaries next season, Campbell’s potential extension will be interesting for GM Kyle Dubas and his staff to navigate.

Campbell’s agent, Kurt Overhardt, has said that talks with the Leafs have yet to open and has reportedly indicated that the two sides are unlikely to begin negotiating a deal this early in the season.

The goalkeeper is in the final year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $ 1.65 million. The 29-year-old has just over $ 4 million in career earnings since he was selected by Dallas in the 2010 draft and is in line for the biggest payday of his career, perhaps similar to the three-year deal and $ 15 million that the Los Angeles Kings gave to Calvin Petersen in September.

The Leafs will have to take into account the presence of goalkeeper Petr Mrazek, who is signed for two more years at an average of $ 3.8 million, and the remaining players who play on contracts: forwards Ilya Mikheyev and Jason Spezza will be unrestricted free agents. in the end. of the season, defenders Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren and forwards Pierre Engvall and Ondrej Kaše will be restricted free agents. The last four are making less than $ 4.3 million combined this season.

Campbell’s potential extension will almost certainly dictate whether the Leafs can keep Engvall and Kaše, or if they have to turn to more affordable options. The team, according to Cap Friendly, has $ 75.2 million committed for player contacts for next season, not including Campbell or any of the other potential free agents. According to reports, the NHL salary cap could rise by $ 1 million to $ 82.5 million next season. .

While the Leafs entertain more international gymnastics, Campbell has only improved his value and fit with the team since he came to a trade with the Kings in 2020. He is 25-7-4 with a .923 savings percentage in Toronto, and had a 1.81 goals against average and a .934 save percentage in seven playoff games last spring.

Always positive and supportive of his teammates, Campbell said this week that he “loves it” in Toronto and feels like his teammates have embraced him “like I’ve been here my entire career.”

“Special group, special city,” he said. “The fans are incredible.”

Head coach Sheldon Keefe has been impressed by how Campbell has handled the ups and downs of the Leafs’ start this season.

“It hasn’t changed one bit,” Keefe said. “He keeps working, he keeps asking questions and he wants information. He is committed to everything we do and his personality remains the same. “

The Leafs would probably do well to sign it before the price goes up. He could be attractive in the free-agent market as one of the youngest goalkeepers in a group that could include Darcy Kuemper, Marc-André Fleury, Braden Holtby and Joonas Korpisalo. It looks like both Campbell and the Leafs are in good positions to make a deal.