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Analyzing the Toronto Marlies’ first quarter of the season

By Austin Owens

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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Goaltending depth has the Marlies in good shape to compete

At the start of the season, the Marlies had an interesting tandem manning their crease. The starter was Garret Sparks, the backup from last season, who has shown up and down play during his AHL career, and Kasimir Kaskisuo, who surprisingly carried the load for the Marlies in last years playoffs.

The addition of Calvin Pickard from Vegas pushed Kaskisuo down to the ECHL, which gave the Marlies more depth at goalie that they’ve had in recent memory.

Sparks has been the story of the season for the Marlies up to now. He currently is tied for the AHL lead in save percentage (.947) and is second in goals-against average (1.50). He has surely made it tough for the Leafs to keep him in the minors. It looks as though he could step up and be a solid backup right now.

Pickard is coming off a 2016-17 season where he appeared in 50 games for the Colorado Avalanche. This season, he has played in seven games for the Marlies and has a 5-2 record with a 2.03 GAA and .930 Sv%.

Pickard sits fifth in goals-against average and sixth in save percentage, so its safe to say that the Marlies are all set in the crease this season.

Next: Could the Leafs pursue a trade for Ian Cole?

What do you think about this Marlies team this season? Is this the deepest team to date and can they finally make it all the way to the Calfer Cup Finals? Let us know in the comments below. 

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