Claimed off Waivers: Canes claim Curtis McElhinney

[bukwas]

I for one really appreciated McElhinney and would have loved to keep him for this season.
Very reliable backup. Hope he does well in Carolina.

 

[Nizdizzle]

 

[Drytoast]

Ironically, Spark's career would have been better served playing behind a team with better defense like Carolina, then one who gives up a ton of high quality chances each night.

 

[LeafGrief]

Dang.

Hope he plays well for the Canes. He's been a good role-player for the Leafs and a great teammate. I'm pretty sad to see him go.

Hope Sparks is up to the task because there ain't any safety net anymore lol

 

[Holymakinaw]

Expected but this had to happen. There was no way he should've been chose over both Pickard and Sparks.

Well the Leafs invested 7 years in Sparks, who had an amazing year and Calder win last year. And he's 10 years younger. No way were they going to just let him go.

 

[Schenn]

Well this sucks

 

[Spectra]

Good, hope he lights it up.

 

[Critical13]

Sad to see him go, hope he steals the starter job for a year and carries them to a playoff series vs the Leafs. He would get a great reception!

 

[Commander Clueless]

Well, that sucks.

Good luck to McElhinney. He's a good dude.

so just like that, TO doesn't have a Plan C for goaltending

Waivers, what a pain.

 

[Pi]

Good luck to McElhinney! He was amazing in the two years he was with us. I am happy the Leafs chose Sparks over McElhinney but it's tough to ignore how well he played for the Leafs nearly every time he was counted upon.

His save on Crosby to secure the Leafs a playoff spot will always be a fond memory.

 

[Randy Randerson]

fwiw, McBackup was much better than expected in Toronto, good for him for sticking in the league

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Knew he was going to Carolina after Darling got hurt.

It's actually a pretty nice opportunity for McBackup. Outplay Mrazek to start the season and he might end up as the #1 for some time.

 

[The List Of Jericho]

so just like that, TO doesn't have a Plan C for goaltending

To be fair, both Pickard and Mc were both on waivers the last few years. Backup goalies are easily had

 

[CupInSIX]

Not surprising with Darling out.

 

[izzy]

new cam ward

 

[SensFactor]

Great pickup. Hes better than sparks. Leafs messed up.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

The Leafs had 3 goalies playing in the AHL last season.

Kasimir Kaskisuo was loaned to Chicago and had great numbers. I assume he'll be the Marlies starter. Justin Peters was in Marlies camp on a PTO. I assume he'll be signed as the Marlies backup unless something else comes up.

Regardless, not the end of the world.

nobody said it's the end of the world

and people should sometimes understand that a comment that might be seen negatively is not necessarily a jab at your organization, i have no quarrels with the leafs

it was an interesting moment where 2 backups got claimed and that's it

 

[nturn06]

I'm actually surprised that the Leafs didn't carry 3 goalies...If Andersen or Sparks go down, who is gonna be their backup? Scott Foster?

 

[WHISTLERNATE]

The Leafs had 3 goalies playing in the AHL last season.

Kasimir Kaskisuo was loaned to Chicago and had great numbers. I assume he'll be the Marlies starter. Justin Peters was in Marlies camp on a PTO. I assume he'll be signed as the Marlies backup unless something else comes up.

Regardless, not the end of the world.

If Andersen gets hurt, which of those 2 would you have be the back up?

Or would you make a trade?

 

[LeafsNation75]

I would not be surprised if that happens and if both are eventually put back on waivers, isn't there some rule which says the Leafs have the first chance to claim either one?

 

[LeafsNation75]

I'm actually surprised that the Leafs didn't carry 3 goalies...If Andersen or Sparks go down, who is gonna be their backup? Scott Foster?

The problem with that is it means an extra roster spot would have been taken up by one of them, so it couldn't have gone to a different forward or defenseman.

 

[Stickpucker]

Maybe Sparks stinks and Carolina carries 3 goalies hoping for a late pick instead of waiving him.

 

[Nizdizzle]

If Andersen gets hurt, which of those 2 would you have be the back up?

Or would you make a trade?

Make a trade or grab someone off waivers if they really need a backup backup. Goalies are cheap, and they don't need a world-beater in the case that Andersen/Sparks go down.

 

[TOG26]

If Sparks struggles bet we see Lehtonen get a contract. Which isn't a bad option. Also still have Mason out there as well that could be suited for a backup role.

 

[HOCKEYGOON]

Canes

You're getting a sturdy backup and a great teammate... Mac knows his role and plays it well.