The Garret Sparks saga has a new chapter. The most controversial back-up goalie on the planet is back in the limelight as third-string goalie Michael Hutchinson left the team for personal reasons.

For those who weren’t paying attention last week, Sparks mysteriously vanished from the team right before the end of the season. Everybody showed up to Leafs practice one day and Sparks’ locker was completely empty. It turned out that the Leafs had recalled Hutchinson from the Marlies to be the team’s backup while they sent Sparks off to go “rediscover” his technique.

But now he’s back!

First, there’s this:

Garret Sparks will join the #leafs on the ice at practice today, with Michael Hutchinson away for personal reasons. No word yet on whether he'll travel to Boston.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 10, 2019

And then there’s this:

Garret Sparks says he'll travel with the #leafs to Boston.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 10, 2019

Aaaaand finally, this:

Mike Babcock said Garret Sparks is filling in for Michael Hutchinson while he and his wife welcome their child. The 10-day program Sparks is on continues after Hutch returns.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 10, 2019

Drama averted. It seems Sparks is just temporarily filling in for Hutchinson as he and his wife prepare for the birth of their child. That means Sparks will disappear to go climb Mount Everest or go backpacking through Europe to find himself once Hutchinson comes back.

As I said earlier, Sparks is a controversial figure. He had a difficult time adjusting to the NHL level this year and didn’t play well down the stretch. That said, none of that really matters right now. All that matters is that Freddy Andersen is healthy and ready to play against Boston. If that happens, Sparks and Hutchinson won’t make a difference.

Move along, folks! Nothing to see here!