“That’s the way the league is made. It’s made to try and keep everybody exactly the same. That’s the way it goes. You’d love to have them all slip through, but they didn’t.” —Mike Babcock on losing two goalies to waivers at once
TORONTO – When Garret Sparks is informed that both men he beat out for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ backup goaltending position Monday had been snatched from the waiver wire Tuesday, he abruptly punches his first into an open palm and says, “Yes!”
Curtis McElhinney, the 35-year-old incumbent whose stall beside Frederik Andersen has now been assumed by Sparks, was nabbed by Carolina after posting a sparkling .934 save percentage for Toronto last year. The Hurricanes are filling a hole left by the injured Scott Darling.
Calvin Pickard, 26, will crowd the crease in Philadelphia, a playoff contender seemingly on an eternal quest for a true Number 1.
“Those are both good situations for them,” says Sparks. He’s pumped that his friendly competitors landed NHL gigs in the wake of a stress-packed training camp for anyone in pads. “It’s two teams looking for help in net, and I hope they get a real opportunity there. I think Picks and Mac can both be difference-makers for teams looking for quality goaltending.”
We’d have to do a deep dig through the league’s archives, but one franchise losing two goalies to waivers during the same lunch break is undoubtedly a rare occurance.
“I’m not shocked. They’re great goalies,” Sparks says.
“That’s tough for the Marlies, though. I just know how good they are, and it’s tough to lose guys like that. I was talking to Picks last night. I was like, ‘Man, I really hope you get your opportunity, but at the same time I don’t want to see you go.’ He’s a valued member of the organization.
“That’s really hard for Mac — he’s got his whole family here and he’s settled in here, too. But competitors like that are always looking for the next opportunity. I think they’ll do everything they can with this chance that they’re given.”
The chance for Sparks gets real, fast.
There will be no recalling the dependable McElhinney, a No. 2 who had earned coach Mike Babcock’s trust, if Sparks stumbles on the early back-to-backs.
“I don’t think them being here or not being here was going to change what I did on a daily basis,” Sparks says.
“Organizationally, they’re two good guys to have. It’s depth. It’s incredible depth. I’ve always said our organization didn’t get the credit it deserved as far as goaltending depth went, leaguewide.
“When you have two goalies picked off waivers and everybody else’s goalies are clearing, everybody thinks you have two good goalies. It’s tough.”
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Babcock opened Tuesday’s press scrum by summing up the situation as economically as possible: “Good for Mac. Good for Pick. Too bad for our depth.”
The 25-year-old Kasimir Kaskisuo, a solid prospect who went 14-13 in 29 AHL games last season, suddenly becomes the No. 1 goaltender for the AHL Marlies, and GM Kyle Dubas may have to keep his eyes open for some insurance.
“You know what? Lost in all this is that now Kasimir Kaskisuo has a huge opportunity with the Marlies to play some games. He was a top-10 goalie in the AHL, so let’s see what he’s got,” Sparks says.
“Kyle has done a great job of making sure there is depth beyond Mac and Picks in the organization by getting guys like Justin Peters [a Marlies PTO] and Eamon McAdam [acquired from the Islanders in the Matt Martin trade].
“It’s not like they weren’t prepared for this. They knew they were releasing two good goalies and they might not have them by noon.”
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