Mike Augello: Leafs battle zones: Part I - Backup goaltender

Sparks is nothing to fear, unless you cover it in leaves then it becomes a flame.

Sparks is nothing to fear, unless you cover it in leaves then it becomes a flame.
- Glak18

He's easily better than Micheal Noworth.

failing all else... one of the goalies will go to Calgary for one of their surplus young d-men...

or Winnipeg if they need more of a back-up behind Hellofbucks

Mike Augello: Leafs battle zones: Part I - Backup goaltender
- mikeinbuffalo

i don't read your blogs.

Sparks is nothing to fear, unless you cover it in leaves then it becomes a flame.
- Glak18

stfu james gunn

Lehner and Mrazek will be starters for both of those teams.

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.

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

Clune tank

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

Agreed.

stfu james gunn
- The Deal Man

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

I know Leafs fans would toss rocks, beer cans or old autographed Jason Biggs jerseys at me for saying this....but Mason would be a solid back-up signing for you. Depends on money and term of course and whether you can deal with his quirky demands about the lights and ice surface.

I know Leafs fans would toss rocks, beer cans or old autographed Jason Biggs jerseys at me for saying this....but Mason would be a solid back-up signing for you. Depends on money and term of course and whether you can deal with his quirky demands about the lights and ice surface.
- Glak18

At 30 years old, it might be time for Mason to start thinking about establishing himself as a back-up. He's had many chances to prove he's a starter and he was often average at best. The past two years for him haven't been good. But as a back-up, he might be able to thrive.

The Leafs have plenty of cap space this year so I'd have no problem with going as high as 2-3 million on a 1 year deal. If he wants multi-year, 1 million or less AAV.

He's from Oakville so maybe he's got some Leafs bedsheets himself.

At 30 years old, it might be time for Mason to start thinking about establishing himself as a back-up. He's had many chances to prove he's a starter and he was often average at best. The past two years for him haven't been good. But as a back-up, he might be able to thrive.

The Leafs have plenty of cap space this year so I'd have no problem with going as high as 2 or 3 million on a 1 year deal.

He's from Oakville so maybe he's got some Leafs bedsheets himself.
- Unholy_Goalie

Far as I am concerned he did prove he could be a starter in Philly, but if he played anywhere else others would say the same. Now is last chance for a 2nd chance redemption, don't think he could steal the starter job, but he could be a serviceable backup for 20-30 games.

- > _

Far as I am concerned he did prove he could be a starter in Philly, but if he played anywhere else others would say the same. Now is last chance for a 2nd chance redemption, don't think he could steal the starter job, but he could be a serviceable backup for 20-30 games.
- Glak18

I'd say he did too but he was average. Not sure any teams out there would take the chance on him as a starter after the past two years. But as a back-up, I think he'd be an upgrade for the Leafs in terms of being able to play 25-30 games and giving Andersen more nights off.

I'd say he did too but he was average. Not sure any teams out there would take the chance on him as a starter after the past two years. But as a back-up, I think he'd be an upgrade for the Leafs in terms of being able to play 25-30 games and giving Andersen more nights off.
- Unholy_Goalie

I'd say he did too but he was average. Not sure any teams out there would take the chance on him as a starter after the past two years. But as a back-up, I think he'd be an upgrade for the Leafs in terms of being able to play 25-30 games and giving Andersen more nights off.
- Unholy_Goalie

Seems like Glak's got a somewhat calming effect on you - or is it all just early strategy?

Waiting in suspense...

- Glak18

This will be the best off season summer doldrums ever around here.

So will the DECADE OF DOMINANCE start this year? Or has it started already? Do you have to win something for it to be a thing, or just be competitive? Like a dynasty type thingy magiggy?

- > _


- GreatGigInTheSky

Well

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.
- Unholy_Goalie

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

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.
- Unholy_Goalie

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

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.
- Unholy_Goalie

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

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

chie > - > _


- GreatGigInTheSky

Well
- Unholy-Goalie

Oh hi