Toronto Maple Leafs: Give Andersen Some Rest and Call Up Pickard

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ goaltending has looked horrendous.

Mike Babcock should consider changing his backup goaltender to provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with a solid plan B when Frederik Andersen needs his rest. Andersen and the Leafs have allowed 28 goals in 7 games. These are atrocious numbers.

In terms of goaltending, the Leafs have consistently put Andersen in net game after game this season without breaks. Andersen has played in 13 games this season and Curtis McElhinney, the backup goaltender has started in 2 games.

Can You Trust McElhinney?

I think the big issue with the Leafs right now is that they simply don’t believe in McElhinney.

I know that some of my readers might stop at this point and complain that I’m about to vent about backup goaltending. But who knows what’s in store for the Leafs down the road. Anything can happen. Goaltenders have strings of off nights and/or get hurt midway through the season.

Anyone remember what happened to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2015-2016 season?

For those who don’t recall, Carey Price started in net for the Habs in twelve games before his season cut short with an MCL sprain.

So, it’s best for the Leafs to be prepared in case something drastic happens to Andersen.

Now, I’m knocking on wood and hoping nothing happens to Andersen’s health.

Or maybe you’re upset that I’m complaining about McElhinney because of his amazing save on Sidney Crosby in April of last year to ensure the Leafs’ playoff bid.

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But, just take two minutes of your time and look at McElhinney’s statistics. Currently, he has a goals against average (GAA) of 4.10 and a save percentage (SV%) of 0.869.

You might argue that its a small sample size since he’s only been in net for two games this season for the Leafs. But, he’s put up high GAA in previous seasons. Especially in the 2015-2016 season when his GAA was 3.31 in Columbus.

It’s time to call up Calvin Pickard and have him backup Andersen.

Pickard Time

For those who may have forgotten, Pickard was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft.

In early October, George McPhee, general manager of the Golden Knights decided to part ways with Pickard after claiming former Boston Bruin prospect, Malcolm Subban from waivers. McPhee then dealt Pickard to the Leafs for prospect, Tobias Lindberg and a sixth round pick in the 2018 entry-level draft.

This season, Pickard has been a solid netminder for the Toronto Marlies. He has a GAA of 2.82 and solid SV% of 0.915 in four starts for the Marlies.

Yes, you might google Pickard’s stats from last season when he was the starting goalie with the Colorado Avalanche and be highly unimpressed. But, let me remind you that the Avalanche were abysmal last season. Additionally, their defensive core didn’t provide Pickard with strong defense in front of the net.

However in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, Pickard provided the Avalanche with amazing goaltending when Semyon Varlamov was out of the lineup.

I believe that if Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello give Pickard the ice time, he’ll do well in net.

Worst Case Scenario

Worst case if I’m wrong, the Leafs can always call McElhinney back up from the Marlies. If Lamoriello decides to send McElhinney down to the Marlies, I doubt any team will attempt to claim him.

Or the Leafs could look to acquire another goalie by trade. The Leafs could make a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers for Michal Neuvirth or the Anaheim Ducks for Ryan Miller.

Neuvirth and Miller are just a couple of examples. If the Flyers and Ducks are in the playoff hunt then Lamoriello will identify other trade partners.

Next: Leafs Continue to Make Confusing Roster Decisions

If the Ducks and Flyers are out of the playoff hunt, Neuvirth and Miller would give the Leafs a solid security blanket.