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Toronto Maple Leafs: Calvin Pickard Is Back For Another Year

By Josh Tessler

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Goaltender Calvin Pickard #30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stands for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Goaltender Calvin Pickard #30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stands for the National Anthem prior to the game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they re-signed Calvin Pickard to a new contract.

Per a tweet from @LeafsPR, Pickard has agreed to a one year contract. He will be paid $800,000 USD to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.

Pickard was a restricted free agent and chose to stick around with the organization. The other option would have been to wait till July 1st and hope that another team would look to sign him.

The decision to keep Pickard was an easy one for Kyle Dubas. Dubas’ predecessor, Lou Lamoriello acquired Pickard in October via a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. Pickard was originally selected in the expansion draft, but the Golden Knights decided to go in a different direction.

After the trade, Pickard joined the Toronto Marlies. While he wasn’t the starting goaltender for the Marlies, he was solid in net. In 33 games played, he registered 21 wins, 1 shutout, a 2.31 GAA and a .918 SV%. Even though he didn’t outshine fellow Marlies goaltender, Garret Sparks, he was still crucial to the team’s success.

Calvin Pickard’s Role For Next Season

Since Sparks was outstanding for the Marlies, the expectation is that Sparks will either be called up or dealt. So it looks as if Pickard could be the starting goaltender for the Calder Cup champions next season.

As I mentioned in a recent post, if I were Kyle Dubas, I would hold onto Sparks and move Curtis McElhinney. McElhinney is towards the end of his career and likely doesn’t have much left in the tank. It’s time to either cash out on him or waive him. If the Maple Leafs leave McElhinney as the backup, then it means that Sparks will likely be moved.

I would avoid moving Sparks. After an outstanding year in the AHL, it’s hard to fathom why you would move him unless the return is substantial. I just love Sparks and feel that he has a tremendous amount of upside.

Once the transaction happens, Pickard will likely be named the starting net-minder for the Marlies. While he should be named the starting net-minder, he’s likely to face some strong competition. He can also provide the Leafs with a decent NHL backup should the need arise.

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His backup in the AHL will likely be Kasimir Kaskisuo, a 24 year old from Vantaa, Finland. Kaskisuo played fairly well last season with the AHL squad, the Chicago Wolves. In 28 games played, he had a 2.38 GAA and a .914 SV%.

Pickard is back for another go-around with the Marlies. Hopefully, Pickard and the Marlies can be as productive as they were this year next year.

stats from theahl.com and eliteprospects.com

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