Speculation: Goaltending Conundrum next season

Brown Dog

Registered User
Jun 23, 2007
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McElhinney couldn't have done a better job in his role last year and comes cheap.

That said, he may be the victim of circumstances. Sparks would be unlikely to clear waivers and had a fantastic season for the Marlies. Time to see if he can translate his game at the NHL level.

I also feel like it wouldn't hurt to have a guy wearing the ballcap who could (at least theoretically) push Andersen for a share of the starter's job. He hasn't had that yet.

I'm not convinced Pickard and McElhinney wouldn't both clear waivers and end up as 1 and 2 for the Marlies.
 

Community

44 is Rielly good
Oct 30, 2010
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The Darkest Timeline
You do what Washington is going to do. Trade the older backup that has some value and bring in the higher upside prospect. Grubauer and Samsonov are brtter than the Leafs duo, but the scenario is the same.


BTW I dont see Sparks as a starter, too inconsistent so far in his career... Howevee he obviously has potential whereas McBackup is nevee gonna be more than he is now.

Try to trade Pickard or make him our AHL goalie (Unless Woll goes to the AHL next year)
 

A1LeafNation

Obsession beats talent everytime!!
Oct 17, 2010
27,284
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No ones trading for a back up goalie at the draft. They only get traded at the beginning of the season when injuries happen.

Best bet is to sneak them on waivers early because most teams are committed to their own duo.

Andersen
Sparks

Mcelhinney
Pickard
 

lifelonghockeyfan

Registered User
Dec 18, 2015
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Lake Huron
It's obvious that back up goalies don't get much of a return in a trade. Look at Pickard he actually cleared waivers last year. If any of the goalies were put on waivers and claimed, those goalies would have to play on the NHL roster of else the Leafs could claim that back.
IMO,Sparks has to given a shot to see if he an NHL goalie. Curtis is waived to the Marlies. Pickard stays a Marlie. cause I don't think he would be claimed. If Holl joins the Leafs from the NCAA, maybe Pickard isn't offered a contract.
 

glucker

Registered User
Aug 22, 2008
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London, ON
Can’t the Leafs carry 3 guys, and send one of them down for occasional conditioning stints, if he doesn’t play enough?
 

Menzinger

Kessel4LadyByng
Apr 24, 2014
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St. Paul, MN
It’s not overly difficult: McBackup just had a career year that he’s unlikely to repeat. Also means his value is at an all time high. Trade him for a pick and then call up the best of the younger guys.

Sparks in think likely wins the job based on his play this season.
 
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MR4

Registered User
Oct 20, 2014
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The Leafs gave Pickard a game this year, but not Sparks despite what the stats show. I could see Sparks having more trade value, while Pickard has past NHL experience. My guess is Pickard.

Andersen
Pickard

Kaskisuo
Euro Signing

Heeter
Skapsi
Sparks was injured or else he would've got it, but that's essentially what I'd go with just letting Sparks & Pickard battle it out for the back up position in preseason and trade the other, while McBackup is traded in offseason
We have a #1 and a #2, and good depth in AHL. There is no conundrum.

So goodbye, whats the deal.

Every team has 3 goalies that will never be better than backup at their best. We'll manage

After this trio of posts I gotta say don't go into sports management lmao
 
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HamiltonNHL

Parity era hockey is just puck luck + draft luck
Jan 4, 2012
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It's obvious that back up goalies don't get much of a return in a trade. Look at Pickard he actually cleared waivers last year. If any of the goalies were put on waivers and claimed, those goalies would have to play on the NHL roster of else the Leafs could claim that back.
IMO,Sparks has to given a shot to see if he an NHL goalie. Curtis is waived to the Marlies. Pickard stays a Marlie. cause I don't think he would be claimed. If Holl joins the Leafs from the NCAA, maybe Pickard isn't offered a contract.
This.
It’s not overly difficult: McBackup just had a career year that he’s unlikely to repeat. Also means his value is at an all time high. Trade him for a pick and then call up the best of the younger guys.

Sparks in think likely wins the job based on his play this season.
and This.

Code:
Curtis McElhinney
Goalie
Born May 23 1983  -- London, ONT
Height 6.02 -- Weight 200 -- Shoots L


Selected by Calgary Flames round 6 #176 overall 2002 NHL Entry Draft

Season   Team                        Lge    GP   Min   GA  EN SO   GAA   W   L   T   Svs    Pct
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001-02  Colorado College            WCHA    9   441   15   0  1  2.04   6   0   1   169  0.918
2002-03  Colorado College            WCHA   37  2147   85   0  4  2.37  25   6   5   822  0.906
2003-04  Colorado College            WCHA   19  1015   41   0  2  2.42  10   6   1   396  0.906
2004-05  Colorado College            WCHA   25  1490   52   0  2  2.09  21   3   1   659  0.927
2005-06  Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights    AHL    33  1619   68   0  3  2.52   9  14   2   705  0.912
2006-07  Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights    AHL    57  3181  113   3  7  2.13  35  17   1  1255  0.917
2007-08  Calgary Flames              NHL     5   150    5   1  0  2.00   0   2   0    46  0.902
2007-08  Quad City Flames            AHL    41  2320   88   6  3  2.28  20  18   2   899  0.911
2008-09  Calgary Flames              NHL    14   518   31   3  0  3.59   1   6   1   249  0.889
2009-10  Calgary Flames              NHL    10   502   27   1  0  3.22   3   4   0   208  0.885
2009-10  Anaheim Ducks               NHL    10   521   24   0  0  2.76   5   1   2   264  0.917
2010-11  Ottawa Senators             NHL     7   399   17   1  0  2.56   3   4   0   188  0.917
2010-11  Anaheim Ducks               NHL    21   996   57   0  2  3.43   6   9   1   459  0.890
2011-12  Phoenix Coyotes             NHL     2    72    2   0  0  1.67   1   0   0    34  0.944
2011-12  Portland Pirates            AHL    25  1379   70   3  0  3.04  10  13   0   685  0.907
2012-13  Springfield Falcons         AHL    49  2926  113   1  9  2.32  29  16   3  1349  0.923
2013-14  Columbus Blue Jackets       NHL    28  1423   64   0  2  2.70  10  11   1   639  0.909
2014-15  Columbus Blue Jackets       NHL    32  1710   82   5  0  2.88  12  14   2   867  0.914
2015-16  Columbus Blue Jackets       NHL    18   831   46   5  0  3.30   2   7   3   371  0.890
2016-17  Columbus Blue Jackets       NHL     7   379   15   0  0  2.39   2   1   2   183  0.924
2016-17  Toronto Maple Leafs         NHL    14   763   36   0  1  2.85   6   7   0   382  0.914
2017-18  Toronto Maple Leafs         NHL    18   979   35   0  3  2.14  11   5   1   493  0.934
2017-18p Toronto Maple Leafs         NHL     1    47    4   0  0  5.07   0   1   0    19  0.826

He's 34.
Sparks gets his chance next year.
 

Walshy7

Registered User
Sep 18, 2016
25,326
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Toronto
So where’s the AHL depth you mentioned?

Kaskisuo wont be loaned out, just put up .914% in 28 games and is Woll about ready to leave NCAA? i dont know about woll he could be if not sign a ahl vet. This really isnt that big of a deal. Sparks and pickard ceilings are backups keep one let the other go but preferably trade the odd one out (and mac)
 

lifelonghockeyfan

Registered User
Dec 18, 2015
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Lake Huron
Kaskisuo wont be loaned out, just put up .914% in 28 games and is Woll about ready to leave NCAA? i dont know about woll he could be if not sign a ahl vet. This really isnt that big of a deal. Sparks and pickard ceilings are backups keep one let the other go but preferably trade the odd one out (and mac)

Agree with you. Leafs have "lots" of AHL goalie available. It's finding that next backup on the Leafs that is the question. Sparks (cross your fingers) seems the likely candidate. Of course a NHL backup isn't a backup when he actually playing in the game....he has to be NHL good.
 

JEI

Jericho
Jun 7, 2004
11,561
494
If you don't give Sparks an NHL shot, I don't know what other goalie deserves one. He's earned it - be it with the Leafs or another team.
 

tom leafers

Registered User
Jan 25, 2017
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Toronto
I think Sparks deserves an opportunity as a backup somewhere in the NHL. His first tour of duty may not have been the greatest, but goalies take longer to develop and he's been nothing short of amazing this year. I don't think he gets a shot with us, McBackup earned his spot this year.

That was a god awful leafs team though.

Sparks was important to out tank
 

lifelonghockeyfan

Registered User
Dec 18, 2015
6,283
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Lake Huron
Read the post, both those guys need waivers...you could lose one or both.

You could lose them but a team that claims on waivers has to keep the player on the NHL roster or else he is returned to his original team. Pickard...a true NHL backup went through waivers last year. Just saying Pickard or Sparks are unlikely to be claimed.
My preference is have Sparks make the Leafs in October...and Curtis is waived, and hopefully isn't claimed.
 

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