|
Leafs battle zones: Part I - Backup goaltender; Clune signed to AHL deal |
|
|
|
|
|
For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
There still could be some changes between now and the start of the regular season, but as things stand currently, there will be a few battles for position on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster that might be determined in training camp, but could last well into the 2018-19 campaign.
Last season, we saw examples of this on the bottom defensive pairing and the fourth line, where Swedish rookies Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen rotated with Connor Carrick and the recovering Roman Polak until the veteran was able to handle playing every game midway through the season, and where Dominic Moore fought off the challenges of Eric Fehr and Frederik Gauthier before losing his spot to deadline acquisition Tomas Plekanec.
For the upcoming season, the backup to starting goalie Frederik Andersen is likely to be a focal point, with veteran Curtis McElhinney trying to fend off Calder Cup winners Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard.
Andersen in his two years with Toronto has put concerns of durability to rest, starting 66 games in consecutive years and faced the most shots in 2017-18 (2211), but a tailing off at the end of last season (3.50 GAA and under .900 save percentage in March and April) might be an indicator that whoever the backup is will have to play more than just the second of back-to-back games.
McElhinney had a remarkable year with a 2.14 GAA, 11 wins and a .934 save percentage in just 18 games, which is impressive when you consider that the 35-year-old went long stretches without starting.
Sparks won the Baz Bastien Award with a 31-9-2 record, 1.79 GAA and .936 save % and went 14-5 with the Marlies during the Calder Cup Playoffs, but the question of whether the 25-year-old can handle playing once every couple weeks and not getting regular action.
Pickard went 21-9-2 in 33 games for Toronto (2.31 GAA, .918 save %) and has 87 games of NHL experience as a backup and starter with Colorado.
All three backup candidates would have to clear waivers to be sent to the American Hockey League and have one-way NHL contracts under $1 Million, which would make them attractive and inexpensive claims if the Leafs tried to get them down to the Marlies before the start of the season.
Confidence and trust are big factors when it comes to Leafs coach Mike Babcock and McElhinney has earned that in his time with Toronto, so it would take a head-standing performance by Sparks or Pickard to unseat him as Andersen’s backup.
There were indications last month at the NHL Draft that Toronto was looking at moving one of their goaltenders, but teams like Carolina and the New York Islanders have signed Petr Mrazek and Robin Lehner to fill their backup needs.
It is still possible that a team may value Sparks or Pickard as part of a package deal or in case of injury, but GM Kyle Dubas may be forced into another Josh Leivo situation and keeping a third goalie on the NHL roster for fear of losing him for nothing.
*******
Rich Clune said at the Toronto Marlies Calder Cup celebration that he would be back next season and that statement came to pass, as the veteran winger signed to a two-year AHL contract on Monday.
The 31-year-old veteran has played three seasons with the Marlies and saw a reduced role last season, scoring four points (3 goals and 1 assist) and 75 penalty minutes in 47 games, but with the departure of team captain Ben Smith, the club brought back the Toronto native (who served as an alternate captain last season) for his experience and leadership qualities.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»