McElhinney and Pickard both claimed off waivers

[CarltonTheBear]

We need to keep in mind that we could get both back through waivers as the Leafs have first crack at them. Both Carolina and Philly have goaltender injuries right now so....

Right. Carolina has Darling signed for a few years on a big contract and Mrazek signed to a cheap 1-year deal. Darling will be out for a few weeks. If Mrazek falters and McBackup plays well maybe Mrazek finds himself on waivers later, but one of those two will find themselves on waivers later this month.

Philly actually has a lot of goalies in the organization. Elliott, Neuvirth, Lyon, Hart, and Stolarz will all need playing time between the NHL and AHL. Neuvirth and Lyon are hurt, seems like week-to-week things. But once they're healthy Pickard will almost certainly be back on waivers, and Philly probably won't want him in the AHL taking time away from Hart/Lyon. Quite frankly I'm actually surprised Philly made this move.

 

[Highlander]

We need to keep in mind that we could get both back through waivers as the Leafs have first crack at them. Both Carolina and Philly have goaltender injuries right now so....

Right. Carolina has Darling signed for a few years on a big contract and Mrazek signed to a cheap 1-year deal. Darling will be out for a few weeks. If Mrazek falters and McBackup plays well maybe Mrazek finds himself on waivers later, but one of those two will find themselves on waivers later this month.

Philly actually has a lot of goalies in the organization. Elliott, Neuvirth, Lyon, Hart, and Stolarz will all need playing time between the NHL and AHL. Neuvirth and Lyon are hurt, seems like week-to-week things. But once they're healthy Pickard will almost certainly be back on waivers, and Philly probably won't want him in the AHL taking time away from Hart/Lyon. Quite frankly I'm actually surprised Philly made this move.

Good post CTB, I can put my valium down and return to normal function.

 

[Bender]

Sparks over McElhinney still baffles me.

Doesn't baffle me at all. Mc is on the wrong side of 30 with a small sample size. His career average is amongst the worst in the league. That had to come home to roost at some point.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

 

[bustaheims]

From my perspective, I have to think that Sparks would have been taken, then there'd be a fair bit of criticism of letting go the AHL goalie of the year for a 35 year old who'll likely see his numbers normalize this season.

Yeah, that basically covers it. McBackup put up excellent numbers last season, but, he's never really been able to sustain a high level of play over multiple seasons, and it's unlikely he'll be able to do so at 35.

 

[mr grieves]

From my perspective, I have to think that Sparks would have been taken, then there'd be a fair bit of criticism of letting go the AHL goalie of the year for a 35 year old who'll likely see his numbers normalize this season.

Exactly.  No way Sparks doesn't get claimed by either of these teams with goaltender injuries.

Yup. We've known for months only one of three extra goalies was sure to be kept by the Leafs. This was expected, and I'm happy the Leafs at made the right decision about which goalie to hold on to.

 

[cabber24]

When did he falter?

From the years 2007-2017.

Sparks, birth - 2016.

 

[Zee]

Well that was unexpected, I didn't think both would get claimed. :-/

 

[ZBBM]

Well, will Woll wail, now? No.

 

[Zee]

The pressure sure is on Sparks to perform now.  Looking at what happened today it's evident we were gonna lose 2 goalies regardless of who was on waivers.  Hopefully we kept the right one.

 

[cabber24]

Bab's was quoted saying that's what happens when the league wants all teams the same.

 

[caver]

i don't see this as a crippling blow....there should be a few capable goalies looking for work in a market like Toronto...

 

[Guilt Trip]

i don't see this as a crippling blow....there should be a few capable goalies looking for work in a market like Toronto...

Got a list of these guys? I'm curious.

 

[tomcom]

But for sure the ending result won't be as bad as between Rask and Justin whoooo!

 

[cabber24]

But for sure the ending result won't be as bad as between Rask and Justin whoooo!

Shake that mentality, those days are long gone.

 

[Kin]

So what's the issue here? The team decided Sparks is best for the backup job, waivers exist and we all knew that...what can/should/could have been done?

 

[Highlander]

wonder when Nylander will sign in the next 24 hours. will it be before or after lunch on Wednesday? Oh I forgot time doesn't exist in Valhalla!

 

[Zee]

So what's the issue here? The team decided Sparks is best for the backup job, waivers exist and we all knew that...what can/should/could have been done?

Don't really think there's an issue as it's apparent the Leafs were destined to lose 2 of the 3 goalies.  It's a matter of did the Leafs pick the right guy?  Would have been nice to have 1 clear waivers just in case the chosen one faltered.  Hopefully Sparks proves Dubas right to benefit the Leafs.

 

[ZBBM]

So what's the issue here? The team decided Sparks is best for the backup job, waivers exist and we all knew that...what can/should/could have been done?

Exactly what we *are* doing, and do best: obsessing.

 

[herman]

Well run teams have too many usable players. Losing them on waivers is a badge of excellence.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Well run teams have too many usable players. Losing them on waivers is a badge of excellence.

As long as the correct decision is made from an asset management perspective, yes.

ie. losing Sparks and Pickard to waivers to keep Mac would not have earned the org. a badge of excellence.