Claimed off Waivers: Canes claim Curtis McElhinney

[member 262271]

nooooooooo whyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Please play McBackup for the first game against Toronto in Toronto, so he can get the warm reception from Leafs fans that he deserves.

Guy did everything he was asked to do, great attitude and teammate, and when you hear his hockey journey story, you can’t help but cheer him on.

Wishing him only the best....

The first, and only, Canes game against Toronto in Toronto is the 3rd to last game of the season, April 2nd. Not sure McBackup will still be with Carolina by then.

 

[TexanGuy]

will never forget his save on Crosby that put us in play offs in 2017. Biggest save in last few years that i can remember..

 

[NotOpie]

Once Darling is healthy again, how about a McBackup for Nylander trade

 

[LeafsNation75]

will never forget his save on Crosby that put us in play offs in 2017. Biggest save in last few years that i can remember..

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

Poor asset management on the part of the Leafs. Seems like there was interest in both goalies they waived. Should have traded them for picks instead of losing for nothing!

Pickard and McElhinney were worthless assets. I'm sure Dubas saw this situation coming a mile away and tried to get something for them. Unfortunately for the Leafs, there wasn't going to be much demand for established, pure backups of this ilk. If a GM wanted either, all he would have to do is wait it out until this moment; there wasn't going to be much competition. If not for injuries, do either get claimed? Dubas had no leverage here whatsoever.

Toronto media needs to stop making such a big deal out of backup goalies and healthy scratches. The attention gives the false impression that Toronto's marginal assets are actually worth something more than they would be in another organization.

 

[LakeLivin]

Put him on waivers with 3 more years left at 4 million per? Dont see it, McBackup and Pickard are likely to be re waived.

Others have listed some of the issues with Darling last year and what he's done to try to overcome them. Who knows what he'll do this year, but he did look a lot better this preseason than last season. Here's hoping.

Dundon hates losing. He has specifically said he'll pay an NHL salary to have someone play in Charlotte if that will help the team win. We might get a chance to see if he lives up to that this season, with either PDG (once Rask comes back) or Darling (a long shot @ $4m but if he plays like he did last year, who knows).

 

[ShelbyZ]

Others have listed some of the issues with Darling last year and what he's done to try to overcome them. Who knows what he'll do this year, but he did look a lot better this preseason than last season. Here's hoping.

Dundon hates losing. He has specifically said he'll pay an NHL salary to have someone play in Charlotte if that will help the team win. We might get a chance to see if he lives up to that this season, with either PDG (once Rask comes back) or Darling (a long shot @ $4m but if he plays like he did last year, who knows).

Put Mrazek on that list too.

 

[connormcmuffin]

Never had confidence in him, still don't, he was a pleasant surprise in nearly each start, good luck to him.

 

[REALTALK81]

McBackup played solid for us. It's a shame that he was put on waivers. Good pickup by the Canes.

 

[Slyfox]

Carolina can just move darling to the AHL after he clears and keep mcbackup. Darling can play more and prove he can play at a high level.

 

[uncleben]

For those interested, this cost Carolina $3,375, paid to Toronto and not counted against the cap.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Sparks getting 20 games this year.

Ninja edit...

Bravo !

 

[Kelly]

Good Luck to McBackup. Dude is basically the hockey reincarnation of William Wallace.

 

[Mr Tadakichi]

Weird, is Sparks really better? Why not waive him, or am I missing something?

 

[LakeLivin]

For those interested, this cost Carolina $3,375, paid to Toronto and not counted against the cap.

Surprised the Canes did this. You know, because Dundon is so cheap.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

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?

Nope.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

That's a rough contract but McElhinney's save percent was like 40 points higher than Darling's. If McElhinney plays well, waiving him would be a really tough decision.

To put this in proper perspective, for the same number of shots, Darling gave up 69.7% more goals than McBackup.

 

[FalcorMulch]

Weird, is Sparks really better? Why not waive him, or am I missing something?

Rough start in the NHL in 2015-16 on a last place team (actually he started alright and then got injured, then played poorly after another call-up later in the season). Consistently great in the AHL capped off with an elite season last year. Goalie of the year, Calder cup. They're giving him a shot to show them what he can do in the NHL.

 

[Clark4Ever]

McBackup was a legend in his time here.

Good luck to him.

 

[Canes]

Surprised the Canes did this. You know, because Dundon is so cheap.

Dundon fired the longest tenured ticket scanner at PNC Arena to be able to afford this. Poor grandma Sue.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Dundon fired the longest tenured ticket scanner at PNC Arena to be able to afford this. Poor grandma Sue.

In fairness, she was the one that was allowing folks to sneak to the lower level. It was a performance based firing, not financial.

 

[Cardiac Jerks]

To put this in proper perspective, for the same number of shots, Darling gave up 69.7% more goals than McBackup.

He also ate 230% more BBQ.

 

[Warden of the North]

will never forget his save on Crosby that put us in play offs in 2017. Biggest save in last few years that i can remember..

Yep.

That save forever endeared him to Leafs fans. Its quite conceivable that if he doesnt make that save that we dont make the playoffs that year.

 

[Warden of the North]

Weird, is Sparks really better? Why not waive him, or am I missing something?

Sparks is 10 years younger and just won AHL goalie of the year. He may yet have a legitimate NHL future as more then a backup.