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With training camp fast approaching, the Toronto Maple Leafs may be trying to get some of their roster quandaries cleared up and no area is more problematic than the trio set to battle for the backup goalie job behind Frederik Andersen.
Andersen played 66 games last season and showed some signs of fatigue in the final six weeks (3.50 GAA and under .900 save percentage in March and April) and in the first round vs. Boston, which could result in head coach Mike Babcock lightening up on his starter slightly and using his backup more than in just the second of back-to-back games.
Veteran Curtis McElhinney, Calder Cup winners Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard are all capable of filling the #2 job, but the Leafs risk losing one or more of them at the end of training camp.
McElhinney had the best statistics of any backup last season, with a 2.14 GAA, 11 wins and a .934 save percentage in just 18 games, Sparks went 31-9-2, with a 1.79 GAA and .936 save percentage with the Toronto Marlies and led them to their first Calder Cup title, and Pickard went 21-9-2 in 33 games for Toronto (2.31 GAA, .918 save %) after being acquired from Vegas in early October.
The dilemma facing GM Kyle Dubas is that all three goalies have to clear waivers to be sent down to the American Hockey League and based on their performances last season, each are at risk at being claimed by another NHL club.
According to James Mirtle of The Athletic , the Leafs are offering Pickard around the league to teams that need a backup, but moving him may be a difficult task.
Barring a dramatic decline or a poor performance in camp, McElhinney likely has the inside track, based on Babcock’s penchant for relying on veterans and Andersen’s comfort level with the 35-year-old as a tandem partner.
Each netminder has one-way NHL contract under $1 Million (McElhinney - $850,000 & UFA in 2019, Pickard - $800,000 & UFA in 2019, Sparks - $675,000 & RFA in 2019), which makes them an inexpensive waiver claim if the Leafs tried to get them down to the AHL, but even if Dubas is able to deal one of the goaltenders before the final cut to 23, Toronto may be in the unenviable position of having to keep three goalies on the roster, which takes away the club’s flexibility to carry reserves in other areas.
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