How do you handle the Leafs’ goalie situation this year?

We haven’t argued about goaltending in a while. So we asked our staff: How do you handle the Leafs’ goalie situation this year?

Should of drafted Mitchell

Trade Garrett Sparks to the islanders

Sell high on Garret Sparks and trust in Calvin Pickard. As much as it pains me to say it, Garret Sparks’ value is high and you’re going to lose one of him or Pickard otherwise. Smart asset management doesn’t always involve the easiest decisions, and the Leafs would be wise to get what they can for Sparks or toss him into a package deal. Calvin Pickard has proven himself an NHL-calibre player, so let’s get him into some games.

As for Curtis McElhinney, there’s no way he repeats his magical season. Onto waivers and (hopefully) into a supporting role on the Marlies.

Trade Andersen and McElhinney so you can run Pickard/Sparks because they are best friends and I think that that’s more important than being good.

Trading Sparks to the Islanders seems like something that will happen and if it doesn’t it’s a shame that he’ll be waived to the Marlies because Pickard is the better goaltender and should backup Andersen. Additionally Andersen needs more of a break this year, and Pickard is the goaltender who is most capable of letting him have that rest while not costing Toronto games.

McElhinney exceeded expectations last year, but he’s old and Pickard is more than ready to take the job. There has to be a team out there that would happily pick him up for a late round pick or off waivers paving the way for Kaskisuo to own the net for the Marlies this year.

Hot take: use one of the press box spots for an extra goalie and run a three man goalie tandem of Freddy, Pickard and Sparks. It’ll give Freddy the rest he needs, and Pickard and Sparks can try to win over Babs and boost their trade value at the NHL level.

galaxy brain.gif

if the leaf’s didn’t trade up to traft Tyler Biggs, they could have John Gibson in net