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

We have a lot of young guys. I personally hope that Pickard can be the guy.

quantity vs quality

quality > quantity.

no one Babs trust that's a good pro.
- dmnted

That's exactly it.
Between McElhinny, Sparks, Pickard, McAdam which one do you trust?
Pickard seems like most logical option, but he was on a really bad Avalanche team.

Still tougher in the corner the Gards 😜
- Garnie

That's pure evil 😁

Borje, age 65

- 21peter

okay... forget Karlsson, bring this guy back

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

Hard on Gardiner with an odd giveaway...

Hard on Sparks because he said he likes to sleep in in a pointless hockey interview....

Hard on Gardiner with an odd giveaway...

Hard on Sparks because he said he likes to sleep in in a pointless hockey interview....
- Santo_44

I hope both players can find it in their hearts to forgive me...

I hope both players can find it in their hearts to forgive me...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I just have a hard time grasping how Sparks making a joke in an interview makes him incapable of being an NHL player and not taking his job serious enough....

I know Kadri through a close friend that used to "hangout" with him quite a bit...and I can tell you a lot of things that would make him seem like he dosnt give a (frank)

You'd be surprised what a lot of NHL players do in their off time...it would make making a joke in an interview look like...well making a joke in an interview

We have a lot of young guys. I personally hope that Pickard can be the guy.
- PatC80

Picard was a really good backup for Colorado and then was asked to play behind a historically bad avs team. Sparks just had a much better season than him in ahl and our current backup played great. Were good. We don't need to worry about back up goaltending. Also think Picard is the guy.

I just have a hard time grasping how Sparks making a joke in an interview makes him incapable of being an NHL player and not taking his job serious enough....

I know Kadri through a close friend that used to "hangout" with him quite a bit...and I can tell you a lot of things that would make him seem like he dosnt give a (frank)

You'd be surprised what a lot of NHL players do in their off time...it would make making a joke in an interview look like...well making a joke in an interview
- Santo_44

Not just one interview.. I also think i heard somewhere that management isnt super high on him. But he just won the Calder Cup lol.. So he must not be that bad..

Picard was a really good backup for Colorado and then was asked to play behind a historically bad avs team. Sparks just had a much better season than him in ahl and our current backup played great. Were good. We don't need to worry about back up goaltending. Also think Picard is the guy.
- HealthyScratch6

You are probably right, but I don't think Babcock trusts McElhinny. So I hope Pickard can earn the trust of Babs

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.
- Tumbleweed

Or just sign one of the two UFAs who have better numbers and more experience.

Picard was a really good backup for Colorado and then was asked to play behind a historically bad avs team. Sparks just had a much better season than him in ahl and our current backup played great. Were good. We don't need to worry about back up goaltending. Also think Picard is the guy.
- HealthyScratch6

But didn't play 25-30 games either. Played 20 or less. Then, with more games, had worse numbers.

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

Lehtonen or Mason. Both with plenty of experience and better career numbers than who they have now.

You are probably right, but I don't think Babcock trusts McElhinny. So I hope Pickard can earn the trust of Babs
- PatC80

I don't think he does either.

Lehtonen or Mason. Both with plenty of experience and better career numbers than who they have now.
- Unholy_Goalie

Lehtonen is not very good tho.

Lehtonen is not very good tho.
- PatC80

37 games last year, .912 SV%, plenty of experience. Still better than what they currently have.

37 games last year, .912 SV%, plenty of experience. Still better than what they currently have.
- Unholy_Goalie

yet you were the guy that only a few months ago advocated to bring in some mid quality khl goalies as backup options.

nice contradiction!!

37 games last year, .912 SV%, plenty of experience. Still better than what they currently have.
- Unholy_Goalie

Wonder what New Jersey does with Schneider/Kinkaid.
I think Kinkaid would be great here behind Andersen.

yet you were the guy that only a few months ago advocated to bring in some mid quality khl goalies as backup options.

nice contradiction!!
- plantheparade

Think he was just trying to explore all options.

yet you were the guy that only a few months ago advocated to bring in some mid quality khl goalies as backup options.

nice contradiction!!
- plantheparade

Top quality KHL goalies. And not a contradiction at all because the point was exactly the same then as it is now; upgrade the back-up goalie.

Try again Max.

Top quality KHL goalies. And not a contradiction at all because the point was exactly the same then as it is now; upgrade the back-up goalie.

Try again Max.
- Unholy_Goalie

r u blazed

That's exactly it.
Between McElhinny, Sparks, Pickard, McAdam which one do you trust?
Pickard seems like most logical option, but he was on a really bad Avalanche team.
- PatC80

McAdams...he's the Penn State kid right? Pretty sure he is from Montgomery County in PA.

Or just sign one of the two UFAs who have better numbers and more experience.
- Unholy_Goalie

Mason doesn't deserve a contract after last year. Needs to earn it.

Expecting it to be an in house cheap solution. We are not paying someone to come in, take yet another contract space, and overpay for a washed up vet backup. Either McBackUp is back or Sparks/Pickard will take the spot and expect the other to either get loaned out in the AHL or picked up off waivers. That's assuming one doesn't get moved in a package trade.

All three are capable backups and cheap, something the Leafs will want.

Mason doesn't deserve a contract after last year. Needs to earn it.
- Tumbleweed

Last year was mostly due to injuries. If he's healthy, he can be effective. And if he's expected to play 25-30 games, it should be easier on him than the usual 55+ he was expected to play as a starter.