Islanders @ Leafs - Dec. 29th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[OldTimeHockey]

I've watched him at the NHL level and have never seen him as anything to get attached to. I also watched Domingue in the NHL, the most attractive part of either's game is their Cap hit. If I has a game I needed to win today  I would choose Mcbackup over either of them.

If winning is your priority(as it should be), Sparks is 6-2-1. Also, hindsight and all that stuff.

 

[Zee]

I still remember Sparks crying when he was told he was the first Leafs goalie to earn a shutout in his nhl debut and I've had a soft spot for him ever since. Cause I'm a softie.

 

[Bates]

I've watched him at the NHL level and have never seen him as anything to get attached to. I also watched Domingue in the NHL, the most attractive part of either's game is their Cap hit. If I has a game I needed to win today  I would choose Mcbackup over either of them.

If winning is your priority(as it should be), Sparks is 6-2-1. Also, hindsight and all that stuff.

Tell me what about Sparks had him winning the job this season? And what about his play has you comfortable when he is in the net?

 

[Frank E]

I've watched him at the NHL level and have never seen him as anything to get attached to. I also watched Domingue in the NHL, the most attractive part of either's game is their Cap hit. If I has a game I needed to win today  I would choose Mcbackup over either of them.

If winning is your priority(as it should be), Sparks is 6-2-1. Also, hindsight and all that stuff.

Tell me what about Sparks had him winning the job this season? And what about his play has you comfortable when he is in the net?

He's played like 10-15 NHL games.  I don't think anyone is comfortable yet, but good or bad after 15 games, we probably shouldn't be.  I think he's earned some patience given his AHL numbers.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I think he's earned some patience given his AHL numbers.

I think that's the key. The good thing about Sparks is that we haven't established his ceiling yet, whereas with a lot of other established backups, they've played enough games to know that's where they'll likely max out.

 

[Arn]

We get to suck on that sour lollipop for the next four days.

And then it's Kiddie Day or whatever they call it on Thursday freaking afternoon.

Finally I get to watch a Leafs game at 7pm, just as the good lord intended ;D

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I've watched him at the NHL level and have never seen him as anything to get attached to. I also watched Domingue in the NHL, the most attractive part of either's game is their Cap hit. If I has a game I needed to win today  I would choose Mcbackup over either of them.

If winning is your priority(as it should be), Sparks is 6-2-1. Also, hindsight and all that stuff.

Tell me what about Sparks had him winning the job this season? And what about his play has you comfortable when he is in the net?

He won the job because management looked past this season when making their decision. As has been said, he's 10-15 games into his NHL career. That's a very small sample size.

I was a goalie for 35 years. I've been coaching goalies for the past 20. He is playing overly aggressive and has poor rebound control..right now...Several other goalies have come out of Junior or the AHL with the same issues. Some have learned to correct these tendancies. Some haven't. I can tell you that if he can calm the aggressive play, his rebound control will also be better. The more aggressive you are as a goalie, the worse your rebound control is going to appear. Its a simple case of angles. Remember, even Andersen was playing overly aggressive when he first came over to the Leafs. Now he's applauded for how calm he is in the crease. I am willing to wait a little longer than 10 games before calling him a bust. It's kind of how I feel about Gauthier on the 4th line.

 

[herman]

He won the job because management looked past this season when making their decision. As has been said, he's 10-15 games into his NHL career. That's a very small sample size.

I was a goalie for 35 years. I've been coaching goalies for the past 20. He is playing overly aggressive and has poor rebound control..right now...Several other goalies have come out of Junior or the AHL with the same issues. Some have learned to correct these tendancies. Some haven't. I can tell you that if he can calm the aggressive play, his rebound control will also be better. The more aggressive you are as a goalie, the worse your rebound control is going to appear. Its a simple case of angles. Remember, even Andersen was playing overly aggressive when he first came over to the Leafs. Now he's applauded for how calm he is in the crease. I am willing to wait a little longer than 10 games before calling him a bust. It's kind of how I feel about Gauthier on the 4th line.

+1

 

[hockeyfan1]

Found this relating to this (played) game.  Thought I?d post it:

[tweet]1079171526929330176[/tweet]