So if Anderson played the same amount games but face fewer shots per games than he should be not so tired for the playoff
- dmnted

It would be fine to play the same amount of games with fewer shots per game against like Brodeur use to do but given that the Leafs D is relatively the same, that's unlikely to happen. You'd have better odds of just getting a capable back-up and playing him 25-30 games. Consider it an insurance policy.

That's the key is to find someone that Babcocks trust to do the job.

I agree but if you put McElhinney, Sparks, Pickard, Lehtonen and Mason, all side by side, odds are Lehtonen and Mason give him more to trust than the Leafs current options.

Unless they would accept 1mil or below it's a hard pass for me.

If it's a 1 year deal, why care? The Leafs have plenty of cap space and it's not like Andersen is making 10 million a year. Even if they went crazy and spent 3 million on a back-up, it's still less than what some teams pay just for their starting goalie.

If it costs an extra million or two to give Andersen more rest, it's worth it. You want him at his best when the games matter the most.

Well
- Unholy-Goalie

- Steven_Seagull

It would be fine to play the same amount of games with fewer shots per game against like Brodeur use to do but given that the Leafs D is relatively the same, that's unlikely to happen. You'd have better odds of just getting a capable back-up and playing him 25-30 games. Consider it an insurance policy.



I agree but if you put McElhinney, Sparks, Pickard, Lehtonen and Mason, all side by side, odds are Lehtonen and Mason give him more to trust than the Leafs current options.



If it's a 1 year deal, why care? The Leafs have plenty of cap space and it's not like Andersen is making 10 million a year. Even if they went crazy and spent 3 million on a back-up, it's still less than what some teams pay just for their starting goalie.

If it costs an extra million or two to give Andersen more rest, it's worth it. You want him at his best when the games matter the most.
- Unholy_Goalie

it probably wouldn't hurt much to bring in a guy on a pto. see what they have on the ice. might be a little crowded for ice time, but whatever.

ugh... too much reading..

Leafs get Panarin yet?

#AllInForPanarin

It would be fine to play the same amount of games with fewer shots per game against like Brodeur use to do but given that the Leafs D is relatively the same, that's unlikely to happen. You'd have better odds of just getting a capable back-up and playing him 25-30 games. Consider it an insurance policy.



I agree but if you put McElhinney, Sparks, Pickard, Lehtonen and Mason, all side by side, odds are Lehtonen and Mason give him more to trust than the Leafs current options.



If it's a 1 year deal, why care? The Leafs have plenty of cap space and it's not like Andersen is making 10 million a year. Even if they went crazy and spent 3 million on a back-up, it's still less than what some teams pay just for their starting goalie.

If it costs an extra million or two to give Andersen more rest, it's worth it. You want him at his best when the games matter the most.
- Unholy_Goalie

Ideally, we'd get a backup goalie that can take some pressure off Andersen and is someone Babcock can trust

Ideally, we'd get a backup goalie that can take some pressure off Andersen and is someone Babcock can trust
- PatC80

We have so many backup goalies already, is there a reason why we don't have one in the system?

Ideally, we'd get a backup goalie that can take some pressure off Andersen and is someone Babcock can trust
- PatC80

So.... Bring Brodeur out of retirement?

We have so many backup goalies already, is there a reason why we don't have one in the system?
- TrashPanda

you should always be looking to get better.

it's a no risk proposition to bring in an additional guy on a pto.

We have so many backup goalies already, is there a reason why we don't have one in the system?
- TrashPanda

quantity vs quality

quality > quantity.

no one Babs trust that's a good pro.

We have so many backup goalies already, is there a reason why we don't have one in the system?
- TrashPanda

Yeah, Leafs are going to be doing all the scoring this year so no need to worry about goaltending.

you should always be looking to get better.

it's a no risk proposition to bring in an additional guy on a pto.
- Tumbleweed

It's also a risk to pick guys up off of the end of summer trash heap because it alienates the guys you already have.

We have 4 backups right now? One of them has to fit. McBackup wasn't terrible, Sparks might be worth a shot and there's always Pickard.

It's also a risk to pick guys up off of the end of summer trash heap because it alienates the guys you already have.

We have 4 backups right now? One of them has to fit. McBackup wasn't terrible, Sparks might be worth a shot and there's always Pickard.
- TrashPanda

there are no free passes. guys need to earn roster spots. roster spots are earned through real competition of beating out other players.

if guys are butthurt about extra competition, they shouldn't be leafs.

Clune tank
- burn

Heard that both Panarin and Karlsson gonna be Rangers in '19

It's also a risk to pick guys up off of the end of summer trash heap because it alienates the guys you already have.

We have 4 backups right now? One of them has to fit. McBackup wasn't terrible, Sparks might be worth a shot and there's always Pickard.
- TrashPanda

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.

Heard that both Panarin and Karlsson gonna be Rangers in '19
- 21peter

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

Pro athletes aren't the most well adjusted people you've ever met. All of them have wierd little quirks, but then again, don't we all?

The Leafs need an upgrade at the back-up position. Andersen faced way too many shots last year (most in the NHL) and played too many games with a high average of shots against. The defense is relatively unchanged so that's probably not going to change much either. The quickest, easiest solution to keeping Andersen rested is to get a back-up who can play more frequently and still give you good results.

McElhinney only played 18 games last year. And had a career year. And Babcock still didn't trust him enough to give him more games, more often. His career numbers are not impressive. And he has no future with this team. Even though you'd get very little for him, they're better off trading McElhinney.

Sparks played great in the AHL last year but his NHL experience is limited and unknown. They could take the gamble and give him the back-up spot but there's no guarantee he can play 25-30 games effectively.

Pickard, to me, is the wildcard. Given his age and past stints in the NHL, there is a fair chance he could be a decent back-up going forward. That being said, he was also an AHL back-up last year so he could also be on the decline. Like the other two goalies, there's a level of uncertainty whether or not he can play 25-30 games effectively.

On the UFA market, it's between Mason and Lehtonen. Looking at their numbers, Lehtonen is the better pick. On a 1 year deal, Lehtonen can provide the Leafs with 25-30 games of solid back-up goaltending. Last year he played 37 games with a .912 SV% (career average too). He's not a long term solution but probably better than what the Leafs currently have.

Mason may also be an upgrade over who they have now as well. Mason may not be a good starter but he may prove to be a good back-up and has way more experience than anybody the Leafs currently have with a career .911 SV% in 476 career games.
- Unholy_Goalie

no they don't... they'll sign Karlsson and he'll have the puck 1/2 of the game... therefore no shots against.

Karlsson fixes everything....

or at least that is what I thought you said in a previous diatribe

Heard that both Panarin and Karlsson gonna be Rangers in '19
- 21peter

For the 2019-2020 season, maybe. They both will be Leafs for the 2018-2019 season.

Pro athletes aren't the most well adjusted people you've ever met. All of them have wierd little quirks, but then again, don't we all?
- TrashPanda

Im weird as poop...

But if i played pro hockey i'd be super boring on camera..

For the 2019-2020 season, maybe. They both will be Leafs for the 2018-2019 season.
- Steven_Seagull

no they don't... they'll sign Karlsson and he'll have the puck 1/2 of the game... therefore no shots against.

Karlsson fixes everything....

or at least that is what I thought you said in a previous diatribe

- BorjeFan4Ever

Borje, age 65

Backup goalies a non topic...McBackup is just fine. If the coach doesn’t play him it doesn’t matter who it is. Goalching was just fine last year....

Borje, age 65

- 21peter

Is he worth a PTO? You never know, he might be better than what we have.

Borje, age 65

- 21peter

Still tougher in the corner the Gards 😜