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Toronto Maple Leafs: Looking at the Safeguards in Goal

By David Morassutti

Feb 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis McElhinney (35) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis McElhinney (35) against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Apr 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Garret Sparks (31) stands in net moments before the start of their game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

What other options do the Leafs have?

The Leafs do not have a lot of depth in the minors with the Toronto Marlies when it comes to goaltending. Garret Sparks just returned from an injury, Antoine Bibeau has had his ups and downs, and Kasimir Kaskisuo has only three games of experience at the AHL level. The Marlies are also in a playoff hunt but at this point the Leafs will be a priority.

The best the Leafs can hope is that Sparks can take his strong season and translate it into something at the NHL if it comes to that point. He has a 17-7-0 record in 25 games with a 2.16 GAA and a .925 save percentage. In 17 games with the Leafs last season Sparks has a 6-9-1 record with a 3.02 GAA and a .893 save percentage, but that came with the Leafs in last place with far less talent than what they have now.

Next: Leafs Lose to Buffalo Sabres, But All Eyes are on Frederik Andersen

Right now McElhinney brings the experience that the Leafs need in this situation and obviously Sparks could get a shot if McElhinney struggles. All Leafs fans can do is hold their breath and wait for an update on Andersen and hope that they have the safeguards to keep the Leafs afloat until his return.

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