Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 storylines to watch during training camp

2. Who wins the backup role behind Frederik Andersen?

It might not be a big deal for some people but backup goalies have proven to be a valuable commodity especially for contending teams for various reasons just ask the Chicago Blackhawks.

A team never wants a situation where their starting goaltender gets injured or has a bad stretch but that’s the way it goes but fortunately for the Leafs that hasn’t been the case with Andersen…yet (knock on wood). Luckily the Leafs were able to get Curtis McElhinney off waivers two seasons ago and now it appears that he’ll have some tough competition to keep his job.

Paul Taylor broke down each candidate or the job of the backup goaltender and right now it should be McElhinney’s job to lose given his experience and production. His toughest competition will be Garret Sparks who is coming off a strong season in the AHL and since he requires waivers to go to the Marlies, he should get a long look in camp.

There is also Calvin Pickard but considering the Leafs were looking to trade him during the offseason, it would be tough to expect him to crack the Leafs this season. Maybe he slides through waivers and becomes the Toronto Marlies starting goalie during the season.

So if we were to put odds on who is the favourite to win the backup job it would probably be McElhinney but Sparks wouldn’t be too far behind.