Recalled/Assigned: Calvin Pickard

[Drytoast]

Well...this will hopefully shut everyone up about the "trade mcbackup" crap everytime the poor bastard lets in a goal.

 

[BayStreetBully]

It could be the injury to Sparks, but there's been quite a few indications that the team doesn't really think that highly of Sparks as an NHL goalie.

I’m probably missing something here. What indications? And any indications from this year?

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I feel like Sparks gets a lot of flack for his NHL stint, which wasn't great but that Horachek squad was beyond awful.. He's been excellent the last few seasons in the A and if 100% healthy he should have been the go too option.

 

[BayStreetBully]

I feel like Sparks gets a lot of flack for his NHL stint, which wasn't great but that Horachek squad was beyond awful.. He's been excellent the last few seasons in the A and if 100% healthy he should have been the go too option.

I see no reason why he won’t get another shot if he keeps up his play. His numbers have been very solid and very consistent ever since he went back to the Marlies two years ago.

 

[Walshy7]

As a few others mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if playing the Avs played into the decision to call up Pickard.

No id almost guarantee they called up the guy that they think will give us the best chance to win. This could be due to sparks being injured of course, but I highly doubt there was a "oh we are playing colarado lets call pickard"

 

[Drew311]

Lots of need for a short term goalie around the league. Maybe there is more interest in Pickard and that had some influence in the call up decision.

 

[FlareKnight]

I'm not sure it matters much either way. Both guys have played well. Sparks has better numbers in the AHL right now, but there are probably more factors involved then just looking at their stats and calling up a guy based on that.

Maybe they feel that playing him against his old team will be effective or that he'll be more capable of flying out to Colorado on short notice and putting up a good performance. It isn't just calling up a guy but potentially playing him upon arrival. And Denver as a city is pretty elevated. Might be harder on Sparks to suddenly fly out there and be thrown out for a game.

In the end I don't see the problem. Pickard has some skills, let's see what he can do.

 

[tokyoite]

Pickard is a former Avs goalie.

 

[Leafidelity]

Good to finally see what we have with Pickard. I'm sure he's more than fired up to show his stuff., especially against the team that let him go.

 

[Walshy7]

Justin Bourne, Marlies video analyst from 2015-2017 and now Athletic NHL columnist, also agrees that Sparks should have been called up. The only reason why he wasn't was probably because of his recent injury and probably isn't 100% quite yet despite being able to play.

Appealing to authority means literally nothing. I can make my own opinions on the matter. Pro scouts and management teams also thought that waiving Malcom Subban was a good idea.

Its not really appealing to authority they are nearly identical level goaltenders one has a better more extensive NHL resume. It is for a couple of games at most, why bring up sparks and hope when numbers suggest at the NHL level pickard can do a better job for us?

 

[Walshy7]

Lots of need for a short term goalie around the league. Maybe there is more interest in Pickard and that had some influence in the call up decision.

how much do you think either player is going to add to their value by playing 1 game maybe 2? when is our next back to back?. they are both worth a 3rd at absolute most, low level backups. Also if their is more interest in Pickard then he would likely be the better goaltender then we should keep him and trade sparks or neither and keep our depth instead of a 3rd or more likely 4th round pick

 

[SprDaVE]

Its not really appealing to authority they are nearly identical level goaltenders one has a better more extensive NHL resume. It is for a couple of games at most, why bring up sparks and hope when numbers suggest at the NHL level pickard can do a better job for us?

Because I think he deserves the call up more based on recent results. It's not a big deal and Pickard likely will do just fine.

 

[DarkKnight]

It could be the injury to Sparks, but there's been quite a few indications that the team doesn't really think that highly of Sparks as an NHL goalie.

Up unti, this season, he was really just a placeholder, due to our lack of depth at the position. I'll say this, Sparks has been very impressive this year, but I agree the organization really wasn't that high on him (and for good reason, he didn't look like anything more than a backup at best).

 

[Walshy7]

Because I think he deserves the call up more based on recent results. It's not a big deal and Pickard likely will do just fine.

it really isn't,

anyway lets hope for a shutout tonight
enjoy one free virtual beer on me

 

[Clark4Ever]

Perfect timing for him against his former club.

 

[54thecup]

I predict (as I did earlier in the week) that Andy will play again tonite and also in Vegas ( if he has a good game tonite).

Pickard played poorly Weds so Sparks goes tonite. Dont think it would be fair to start Calvin after a long flight, especially when there are 2 points to be had. Our offense has it mojo back, Vegas still has us as -120 to -140 favorites.

I believe Pickard has to clear waivers if he is sent back to the AHL so I would think there is a deal in the wind including him.

 

[SprDaVE]

I predict (as I did earlier in the week) that Andy will play again tonite and also in Vegas ( if he has a good game tonite).

Pickard played poorly Weds so Sparks goes tonite. Dont think it would be fair to start Calvin after a long flight, especially when there are 2 points to be had. Our offense has it mojo back, Vegas still has us as -120 to -140 favorites.

I believe Pickard has to clear waivers if he is sent back to the AHL so I would think there is a deal in the wind including him.

 

[nuck]

I think they are open to keeping one of Pickard or Sparks as McE's replacement going forward. Both need game time with the big club to prove themselves so it doesn't matter who comes up first. Also CP has the NHL experience so with any kind of a showing as a call up he has trade value which Sparks doesn't have. Agree Sparks has been the more dominant but I wouldn't want to give up on one without being certain I was keeping the right guy. Looking forward to seeing if Pickard is an NHL goalie or not. McE could get Wally Pipped for sure, but 2.78 and .916 is not bad for a backup so I would guess Pickard would need to really rock it for that to happen.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Time for us non-McElhinney fans to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak.
I hope he plays well.

I'm curious about the conditions. Is it 10 games, or 30 days, which ever comes first or last?

 

[Suntouchable13]

Considering he hasn't had a single call up since, I would say it's been quite a bit of a questionable way of treating him but he's also had some injuries along the way which probably hasn't helped.

Didn't he make some questionable comment on Twitter or Instagram some time ago? Could that be one reason why?

 

[Pi]

Didn't he make some questionable comment on Twitter or Instagram some time ago? Could that be one reason why?

IIRC, he was defending a disabled person but said "you sound like a 13 year old girl" at the end of his message which got him in trouble with the Leafs.

 

[TorontoTrades]

Hope he plays well and thus allowing us to flip McBackup. He's been great but if Pickard shows he's an NHL back up caliber goalie then we might as get assets back.

 

[Menzinger]

Didn't he make some questionable comment on Twitter or Instagram some time ago? Could that be one reason why?

They signed him to a new contract since that incident, so I doubt he’s in the doghouse.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Good call up,

 

[Northernguy10]

Sparks has only played one game since December 16th and that was 2 days ago when he gave up 5 goals. I'm sure he'd have got the call if he had been playing regularly. Pickard played the 4 games from the 17th to the 26th so is more game ready. I think it's that simple.