Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] Michael Hutchinson signs extension (1 year, $700K)

[Martin Skoula]

So the Leafs are going to carry three goalies next year?

Sparks is probably done in Toronto.

 

[Ciao]

Good deal for the Leafs. He's as good as any other backup they've had, and is probably a good enough placeholder until they find a real goalie to fill that role.

 

[93gilmour93]

So the Leafs are going to carry three goalies next year?

Sparks will either be moved or play on the Marlies

 

[Langdon Alger]

Sparks will either be moved or play on the Marlies

Ahh ok, thanks.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Sparks is probably done in Toronto.

They can risk him on waivers at least.

 

[Ciao]

Sparks is probably done in Toronto.

Not probably -- Sparks is done. He will get a fresh start elsewhere.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Not probably -- Sparks is done. He will get a fresh start elsewhere.

Was he that bad?

 

[Martin Skoula]

Was he that bad?

He might be ok in a small market with a strong defense. Doesn't face pressure well and not technically skilled enough to fight through that. When he's on his game, he's just pretty ok.

 

[Rude Dog]

I like it. Anyone but Sparks. If someone better comes around the Leafs would have no problem paying him 750 to play for the Marlies

 

[Ciao]

Was he that bad?

I don't know.

I was a big Sparks supporter at training camp. I watched almost all the Leafs games on TV. He lost me when he couldn't catch unscreened shots from the point.

I reached the lay conclusion that he's a nice young man who has worked hard, accomplished a lot and made the most of his abilities but just does not have the skill and natural abilities to oplay at the NHL level.

There's no shame in that -- there's lots of other places for a good pro goalie to play, and he is a good pro even if not an NHL-calibre goaltender.

Just my opinion, but I have a pretty strong hunch that Mike Babcock is thinking along the same lines, and that's what counts.

He is a goner here.

 

[SotasicA]

Nice to see he is still making good money, long after quitting as the lead singer of INXS.

 

[Pyrophorus]

I'm not convinced of that, somebody has to start for the Marlies

Kaskisuo, Woll, Scott, Bouthillier

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Kaskisuo, Woll, Scott, Bouthillier

K2 is garbage and what is a Bouthillier?

 

[Gizmo Tkachuk]

Hutchinson is a goalie...

Not anymore

 

[jetsforever]

Good to see Hutch sticking around in the NHL

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

I don't know.

I was a big Sparks supporter at training camp. I watched almost all the Leafs games on TV. He lost me when he couldn't catch unscreened shots from the point.

I reached the lay conclusion that he's a nice young man who has worked hard, accomplished a lot and made the most of his abilities but just does not have the skill and natural abilities to oplay at the NHL level.

There's no shame in that -- there's lots of other places for a good pro goalie to play, and he is a good pro even if not an NHL-calibre goaltender.

Just my opinion, but I have a pretty strong hunch that Mike Babcock is thinking along the same lines, and that's what counts.

He is a goner here.

I somehow get the impression that Babcock spends exactly 0 time thinking about goalies.

 

[justafan22]

I somehow get the impression that Babcock spends exactly 0 time thinking about goalies.

Andersen has been worn out.

He needs to be wary of this in the future.

 

[AK87]

Do you think they regret waiving McBackup? Or is this still the best route for the team

 

[Jozay]

Do you think they regret waiving McBackup? Or is this still the best route for the team

They wouldnt be able to afford Mcbackup. Definitely regret not having him last year though.

 

[ottomaddox]

This might be the saddest thread on HF. Dubas really needs to have something more tangible to present to his bosses. Hutch, Marleau, Mango, and Kap just isn't enough.

TOR's gaping holes are still there.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Andersen has been worn out.

He needs to be wary of this in the future.

That's the thing, I don't think he even makes that decision. I think it's a goalie coach, and Babcock doesn't seem to spend any time thinking about goalies what-so-ever.

 

[justafan22]

That's the thing, I don't think he even makes that decision. I think it's a goalie coach, and Babcock doesn't seem to spend any time thinking about goalies what-so-ever.

what a joke