Even Reimer made the NHL jump earlier than Sparks on some pretty bad teams.

Goalies come from all over the place but Sparks just doesn't seem that impressive and for what the Leafs need right now (guaranteed 25-30 games) from their back-up, they're better off getting a more proven goalie.
- Unholy_Goalie

What are you not impressed by? His brief stint backstopping a historically bad team that finished 30th overall? Everything else he's done, numbers-wise, character-wise is damned impressive.

I just don't see how you couldn't.

If it was Bibeau or whatever, sure, but Sparks has put up historically-good numbers in the AHL; I don't get why you wouldn't let him backup Andersen for at least part of the season and go from there.

He's played over 450 NHL games so yeah, he is an NHL goalie.

And with his NHL career on the line, that's not necessarily true.
- Unholy_Goalie

He was a NHL goalie. He can't get by on his talent alone anymore...he's not the first to flame out. And yeah...he didn't play ball hockey this summer. .but the damage has been done

Can't get a certain Trooper song out of my head for some reason.
- Woderwick

I got a dead or alive song going...

[quote=Unholy_Goalie]The Leafs don't need him to be a starter nor do they need him to play 37 or more games. 25-30 games would do just fine.

Because it proves they're NHL goalies. Ryan Miller was a starter for years, last year he was a very effective back-up. These guys can't be starters anymore but they can be back-ups.

But you are using their starter career numbers to justify they are better, but they aren't going to be starters so why use their starter numbers? And some NHL starters can't be backups, look at Mason, looked (frank)ing terrible in Winnipeg last year as a backup.

He keeps making a fool out of himself. Tis funny.
- Steven_Seagull

This has all been very entertaining.

What are you not impressed by? His brief stint backstopping a historically bad team that finished 30th overall? Everything else he's done, numbers-wise, character-wise is damned impressive.

I just don't see how you couldn't.

If it was Bibeau or whatever, sure, but Sparks has put up historically-good numbers in the AHL; I don't get why you wouldn't let him backup Andersen for at least part of the season and go from there.
- gravyface

Because his lack of experience in the NHL leaves the chance that the Leafs have another season that Andersen has to face too many shots again. If they were still a lottery team, sure, give him the chance, but they need a guy with more proven results.

I got a dead or alive song going...
- burn

Yes...yes...that one works too.

But you are using their starter career numbers to justify they are better, but they aren't going to be starters so why use their starter numbers? And some NHL starters can't be backups, look at Mason, looked (frank)ing terrible in Winnipeg last year as a backup.
- harps43

Again, Lehtonen played 37 games effectively last year. Ryan Miller was a starter for years and was even more effective as a back-up in Anaheim than he was as a starter in Vancouver. It's not that big a leap for a former starter to become a good back-up. They're just playing fewer games against weaker teams but they still understand how the game works at the NHL level, the speed, the tempo, the shots etc. much more than a rookie who has been facing AHL level competition.

The Leafs don't need him to be a starter nor do they need him to play 37 or more games. 25-30 games would do just fine.

Because it proves they're NHL goalies. Ryan Miller was a starter for years, last year he was a very effective back-up. These guys can't be starters anymore but they can be back-ups.



Lehner was better and won more at a younger age, made the NHL jump younger and has been better the whole time.



Because they should get rid of McElhinney and Sparks and sign one of them so they can give themselves a more guaranteed option behind Andersen instead of a couple of question marks and risk Andersen being overworked again like he was last year.
- Unholy_Goalie

Has nothing to do with who is better suited for it now.

This has all been very entertaining.
- bullethead7

So, UG didn't say Lehtonen stole the net back in Dallas? I guess, he's saying that Lehtonen stole the net back when Bishop was injured and because they had no other goalie, Lehtonen stole the net by default.

So, UG didn't say Lehtonen stole the net back in Dallas? I guess, he's saying that Lehtonen stole the net back when Bishop was injured and because they had no other goalie, Lehtonen stole the net by default.
- PatC80

Lehtonen stole Uggies heart.

So, UG didn't say Lehtonen stole the net back in Dallas? I guess, he's saying that Lehtonen stole the net back when Bishop was injured and because they had no other goalie, Lehtonen stole the net by default.
- PatC80

Didn't say it,typed it... In black and white. But will continue to deny.

Lehtonen stole Uggies heart.
- Woderwick

Vermette weeps

Vermette weeps
- Steven_Seagull

Someone should check on Erik Karlsson.

Didn't say it,typed it... In black and white. But will continue to deny.
- burn

Good point.. I was wrong. I'll show myself out.

Someone should check on Erik Karlsson.
- PatC80

Just don’t ask Hoffman.

Vermette weeps
- Steven_Seagull

Karlsson's checking his rearview mirror and making sure all his doors are locked.

Just don’t ask Hoffman.
- Steven_Seagull

Hoffman needs to get Marchanded

Sparks is a weirdo...

Watch some of his interviews he's had on Leafs TV with the Marlies and you kinda get a off vibe with him. They asked him whats the biggest adjustment to life in pro hockey and he said getting up early, and how he used to show up late (with a laugh) . He also goes on to explain how goalies are different and get different treatment.. He just didnt seem real serious about being an NHL goalie. My guess is that Pickard steals the job.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Only way I see that happening is if Sparks is traded. He'll fetch more on the market than Pickard would.

Borje, age 65

- 21peter

He's a (frank)ing animal.

Anyone who thinks Let-It-In is in anyway a good choice to bring in as a backup has not watched him hockey.

He's (frank)ing atrocious. Don't give a (frank) what the numbers say (They say he's decent. He's not). Watch him. He's arguably the worst goalie in hockey.

Anyone who thinks Let-It-In is in anyway a good choice to bring in as a backup has not watched him hockey.

He's (frank)ing atrocious. Don't give a (frank) what the numbers say (They say he's decent. He's not). Watch him. He's arguably the worst goalie in hockey.
- GreatGigInTheSky

And yet, still better than all 3 of the back-up options they have. He didn't play 600+ games by accident.

Here it is, folks:

https://www.hhof.com/Lege...chPlayer.jsp?player=21445

Robbie Earl's Hockey Hall of Fame page.

25-30 games is easier on their bodies than 55+ games. Nobody in the system is as proven as those two.
- Unholy_Goalie

so just to be clear here... you're saying that Sparks (for example) hasn't played enough games...

how many AHL games did he play this past season... I simply asking because while the AHL isn't as fast as the NHL, the games are essentially the same duration.

the only thing that could have made sense would be if Mason were still a member of the Jets and they(the jets) would be willing to pay to have another team take his contract.

And yet, still better than all 3 of the back-up options they have. He didn't play 600+ games by accident.
- Unholy_Goalie

Career GAA, and SV%

Lehtonen: 2.71 - .912

Pickard: 2.78 - .913