Toronto Maple Leafs: Make Garret Sparks the Backup

The Toronto Maple Leafs have solid goaltending heading into this season, but there are still some decisions to be made.

With Calvin Pickard reportedly on the trade block, all that remains is the battle for backup behind Frederik Andersen between two goalies Curtis McElhinney and Garret Sparks. Between these two, Sparks is the better option for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Let’s get this out of the way:  McElhinney has been great for the Leafs as a backup. Sure, he might flip flop around the net, but his numbers are excellent.  With a .934 save percentage and 2.14 GAA in 17 games, it’s easy to see why. For a 35 year old, he’s played admirably. He’s still under contract for another year for peanuts, too.

It’s not likely he’ll repeat that or keep it very long considering his age and career stats. I like the guy a lot but will gladly take a pick if someone wants him.

That’s where it ends with McElhinney. We now turn our attention to Garret Sparks.

The time is now…

Sparks had a heck of a year in the AHL, capturing the Toronto Marlies first ever Calder Cup. He was excellent all season long, with a .936 save percentage and 31 wins  in 42 games, along with six shutouts.

Yeah, it’s the AHL but there is nothing else for Sparks to do at the minor level. He’s 25 now, a full decade younger than McElhinney. He won’t have a higher cap hit than McElhinney either, which is only $850,000 to begin with. There’s a great opportunity to have Sparks as the backup beyond this season whereas McElhinney has just a year left.

Sparks also mentioned during an interview on Sportsnet that he ‘expects to be in the NHL.’ Who can blame him?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been very patient with Sparks and he looks like one of the only bright spots we have from the 2011 draft (you know, the Tyler Biggs one…). I’d have to think if the Leafs planned on moving him they would have done so already.

Sparks is 6’3 just like McElhinney, has toiled away for years in the minors and has done all that could be asked of him to become a top goalie in the AHL. Sure, we don’t know how good he will be in the NHL, but there’s only one way to find out. Don’t forget that Andersen played a ton this year and will likely be getting more rest during the regular season.

In closing…

I’m more comfortable with taking that gamble then gambling on McElhinney having another great year at his age. Seeing Sparks graduate in our organization after these seven years is a nice story. Kind of like this one.

Time to let him play.

stats from hockeydb.com