Every team needs a back-up goalie, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a solid one in Curtis McElhinney.
While everyone talked about what a season Frederik Andersen had for the Toronto Maple Leafs last year, it’s important to remember the work Curtis McElhinney did in net when called upon. Only appearing in 18 games, he provided 3 shutouts and an able glove, providing extra security in net for the Leafs
With the goalie depth in the Maple Leafs organization (Calvin Pickard, Garret Sparks, Kasimir Kaskisuo) there are plenty of choices to back up Andersen, but McElhinney should be the man the Leafs choose to give Andersen a rest when he needs it.
Taking the time to look back on McElhinney’s career shows quite the interesting path before he joined the Maple Leafs in 2017.
Player Profile: Curtis McElhinney
Drafted in the 6th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, McElhinney played for 5 other teams before making his first appearance in Toronto. McElhinney was in net for the Flames (4-12-1, 3.23 GAA, .889 SV%), the Anaheim Ducks (11-10-3, 3.20 GAA, .899 SV%), the Ottawa Senators (3-4-0, 2.56 GAA, .917 SV%) the Phoenix, now Arizona Coyotes (1-0-0, 1.67 GAA, .944 SV%), and the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-33-8, 2.86 GAA, .909 SV%).
Most of his numbers are decent, especially after his time in Anaheim, but he never had the statistics that would make him a starter for an NHL team, which brings us to the Leafs claiming McElhinney off waivers from Columbus in January of 2017.
2016-2017
McElhinney joined the Leafs midway through the season where the team made the playoffs after finishing last the year prior. After Jhonas Enroth was traded to Columbus, McElhinney sprang into action, appearing in 14 games in the back half of the season. While he had some solid outings, McElhinney finished 6-7-0, with a .914 SV% and 2.85 GAA. Stat line aside, he did his job in giving Frederik Andersen the occasional night off.
The following offseason, the Leafs signed McElhinney to a 2-year, $1.7 million contract to continue to back up Andersen.
2017-2018
With a new contract, McElhinney was named backup for the 2017-2018 season over the other goalies in the organization and even Calvin Pickard, who was claimed off waivers from the Vegas Golden Nights. This was a decision the Leafs would come to appreciate once the season began.
Last year was arguably McElhinney’s best as a backup in the NHL. 11-5-1, with a 2.14 GAA and a .934 SV%, along with 3 shutouts, including a memorable 41 save performance against the Edmonton Oilers.
McElhinney even saw time in the crease during the playoffs. Unfortunately, it was in relief of Frederik Andersen after he gave up 3 goals in the first period of game 2 against the Boston Bruins. McElhinney would go on to allow 4 goals and earn the loss in a 7-3 result.
2018-2019?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of choices for backup goalie, but Curtis McElhinney should be the choice they go with. It gives the younger goalies more time to mature in the AHL, makes Calvin Pickard a potential trade chip, and means the Leafs will have an assured NHL backup to help the team on grueling road trips and the 12 back-to-backs the team is going to face this year. If McElhinney performs poorly, the Leafs have plenty of options to replace him, until then, keep #35 in net whenever Frederik Andersen needs rest.
Statistics and game logs courtesy of hockeyreference.com
Salary figures courtesy of capfriendly.com