Confirmed with Link: Leafs acquire Pickard

[garce]

Sparks isn't going to like it, how does a team let a guy go through waivers and then pay a draft pick and a prospect the next day.

Sparks isn’t in a position to like or dislike anything, he can play his way into contention for a top 4 in the organization or he can go into the minor league goaltender matrix. He hasn’t done enough to nail down a comfortable position.

 

[hockeywiz542]

The Pickard trade hints at more to come. While it’s believed the Leafs were only willing to complete the transaction after the 25-year-old cleared waivers – giving them the ability to send him directly to the AHL Marlies – he doesn’t look like a candidate to stay in the minors for long.

Not only is Pickard nine years younger than McElhinney, he’s already had two seasons as a NHL backup that were statistically stronger than anything the 34-year-old has previously managed during his career.

It would be unwise to write him off as a No. 3 following a short stay with the Golden Knights and a difficult stretch playing behind an historically inept Colorado Avalanche team last season. Between that, he won a silver medal as the goalie of record for Canada at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May.

A career .914 save percentage in 86 appearances certainly suggests that Pickard is a viable NHL option behind Frederik Andersen.

McElhinney made some big starts down the stretch for the Leafs in 2016-17, including the win over Pittsburgh that secured a playoff berth on the final weekend of the season, and signed a $1.7-million, two-year extension on July 1.

Now McElhinney is facing the possibility of being bumped from a NHL job without even playing a meaningful game since the ink dried.

 

[EXPECT THE LEAFS]

As a starter I would agree but as a backup? Not so sure. 2 different things starter vs backup. Some starters couldn't do the Backup gig mentally don't know enough about Pickard at this point to say either or. Reimer sucked as backup big time but as a starter he was passable even really good at times as Leaf just as an example.

Pickard is definitely better than what is on the Marlies and the only reason why this trade happens is because he cleared wavers so they could keep him as injury depth in case of injury. They didn't trade for him to replace McBackup

Reimer was way too chaotic in net to be considered a legit starter. Even when he was good it wasn't a finesse game he employed.

 

[Eb]

Sparks isn't going to like it, how does a team let a guy go through waivers and then pay a draft pick and a prospect the next day.

Easy. Because a roster spot is more valuable than a prospect like Lindberg and a sixth rounder.

 

[Belieber]

Nice to add NHL capable goaltending depth. Solid move.

 

[cupcrazyman]

The Marlies used 6 goalies last season & Sparks only played 31 games.Bibeau wasn't the answer with 3.08gaa & a 89.4 SV %
Great depth move even if he stays in the AHL for a while.

 

[jaric1862]

Absolutely 100% love this move. Gives our organization much needed goaltending depth. Also pushes Mcelhienny to perform better for his starts, as Calvin Pickard will be chomping at the bit in the A, hoping to take his spot. Gives us that much needed insurance in that position if Andersen gets hurt or if Mcelhienny does not perform. We did all of this for close to nothing. Good job Leafs Brass!

 

[colchar]

a 6th round pick got the player in your avatar, Connor Brown.

And how often does that happen? The percentage of 6th rounders who become solid players must be minuscule.

 

[TMLeafs17]

And how often does that happen? The percentage of 6th rounders who become solid players must be minuscule.

Can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket

I'd much rather our management fills holes in our roster with a late pick at this stage than tries for the tiny percentage of getting a player late

 

[Brownbeard]

I was hoping we'd pick him up on waivers, and am happy that we got him this way at the end of the day. The Leafs were lacking in goaltending depth (and could still use some more) so this is a helpful move. They brought in a goalie who struggled on a bad team, but was good in the World Championship and could end up being better than McBackup while also being younger.

At the very least, he provides depth.

 

[blueberrie]

Can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket

Brown didn't make an NHL impact until last year. Are you really upset with losing the probability of a Brown level player (absolute best case scenario) who likely won't make an NHL impact until 2021?

 

[TMLeafs17]

Brown didn't make an NHL impact until last year. Are you really upset with losing the probability of a Brown level player (absolute best case scenario) who likely won't make an NHL impact until 2021?

Not in the slightest, read what I quoted... Why so serious?

I’ve said like 3 times in other threads how much I like this trade, sorry you can’t see my winky face?

 

[paulhiggins]

Liking almost every move this regime makes, unlike the Burke/Nonis years in which I hated almost every move they made.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

I have been saying for months if they truly wanted Mcbackup they wouldn't have gone after anyone else in the off season I told I was wrong I waas told I didn't know what I was talking about.

Today I was proven right if they truly wanted Mcbackup they wouldn't have made this trade

If they wanted Pickard instead of McBackup they would have claimed Pickard on waivers.

 

[The Podium]

If they wanted Pickard instead of McBackup they would have claimed Pickard on waivers.

Perhaps they do but just prefer the contract dump and added flexibility of the trade route?

 

[Brownbeard]

I assume they just wanted the flexibility, and wanted to see how McBackup will do.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Perhaps they do but just prefer the contract dump and added flexibility of the trade route?

Yea could be. If Leafs do want Pickard over McElhinney, I guess this trade was really:

6th + Lindberg for Pickard + the risk of losing a back-up for nothing to waivers

That said, I still think this is a depth and internal competition move and not so much a "we want Pickard over McElhinney" move.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Pickard is a NHL goalie while Lindberg likely never makes an impact in the NHL. Seems like a good trade to me

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Really like this move. Get a solid young-ish backup goalie for a 6th and not lose a contract spot? Great deal.

 

[Keon1963]

Basically we got Pickard for a 6th round pick. Fantastic move. Lou is a boss. Lou has connections in Vegas; "I gotta trade yu can't refuse."

 

[Northern Dancer]

No but Moore can

I was responding to YOU who wanted Leivo in over Fehr in game one. I am fully aware of who the centres/wingers are.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I was responding to YOU who wanted Leivo in over Fehr in game one. I am fully aware of who the centres/wingers are.

errrr okkkk

All I'm saying is Fehr isn't part of the future here. Leivo could be. But I guess we'll never know

But not to derail the thread......

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Tobias Lindberg is a solid player. Just no chance with us.

He should possibly get NHL time at some point with Vegas though.

That said... Andersen, McBackup, Pickard, Sparks. Our goalie depth isn't really an issue anymore

It was good trade for us. We needed more insurance in nets in case Andersen went down.

Some will crap on Lindberg, but he may be able to do something in LVGK organization.

 

[4thline]

Can’t win if you don’t buy a ticket

in terms of tickets this is like trading two roll up to win cups for a crossword that's already won $5000 and has a bunch of letters left