Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Hutchinson versus Garret Sparks

With Michael Hutchinson arguably playing better than expected, what will the Toronto Maple Leafs do when Garret Sparks returns from concussion protocol?

As we counted down towards the 2018-19 campaign, a lot of projections had Curtis McElhinney as the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ main backup goaltender. This was entirely understandable after how exceptional McElhinney was last season for the Buds. (A 11-5-1 record, 2.14 goals against average and .934 save percentage in 18 appearances.)

In the end, however, the Leafs went with youth and potential in selecting Garret Sparks to be Frederik Andersen‘s backup. And when Andersen recently suffered a groin injury, it was seen as the perfect opportunity for Sparks to show what he could do with an increased workload.

Unfortunately for Sparks, fate can have a mischievous sense of humour at times. After starting three consecutive games in Andersen’s absence he was put into concussion protocol, after two shots off the mask from a teammate in practice.

As a result, the Leafs were forced to call up the recently acquired Michael Hutchinson. No one knew what to expect between the pipes, especially with Hutchinson being backed up by the inexperienced Kasimir Kaskisuo.

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Hutchinson lost his first start for the Leafs, allowing four goals in a 4-3 defeat to the Minnesota Wild. However, he actually played better than you would expect from a goalie allowing so many goals.

The 28-year-old was essentially hung out to dry by an underperforming blue line. He saved 30 of the 34 shots he faced, and could only really be blamed for the third goal.

In any event, Hutchinson followed up this result with an extremely impressive performance on Saturday night, against the Vancouver Canucks. In a 5-0 win, he stopped all 28 shots he faced and recorded his first shutout since Oct. 2016.

While appreciating it’s only two appearances, has the 2008 third round draft pick already done enough to put himself in genuine contention to be the main backup? While Sparks has a 6-2-1 record this season, this actually flatters him.

Consider that Sparks has a 3.00 GAA and .905 save percentage over the course of 10 appearances in 2018-19. This pales in comparison to Hutchinson, whilst appreciating the latter has only played two games for the Leafs.

In the interest of fairness, it should also be pointed out that Hutchinson was very poor earlier this season, while with the Florida Panthers. In four appearances, he recorded a 4.17 GAA and .839 save percentage.

When comparing the two goaltenders, you could argue they are essentially the same player. Both are described as solid, with some upside.

Hutchinson has a base salary of $1.3 million in 2018-19, and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Meanwhile, Sparks is making $700,000 and will be a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the campaign.

People will point to the age difference, but we’re not talking a considerable gap, as was the case with the 35-year-old McElhinney. At 25, Sparks is only three years young than Hutchinson.

One area where Hutchinson has a considerable advantage is his experience, with 108 NHL games and 92 starts. By comparison, Sparks has played just 27 and started 26.

In addition, Hutchinson has shown he can successfully carry a load, specifically in 2014-15 with the Winnipeg Jets. He recorded a record of 21-10-5 in 36 starts, with a .914 save percentage and 2.38 GAA.

Of course, it should be noted this high point came in just Hutchinson’s second NHL campaign, having failed to reach these heights again in the four seasons since. Overall, he has a starting record of 45-41-13, with a .908 save percentage and 2.69 GAA. (Sparks is 12-11-2, with a .897 save percentage and 3.01 GAA.)

Overall, it’s too soon to make a decision. And with Andersen set to return before Sparks, it isn’t a necessity just yet anyway.

There is an argument to be made that the Leafs could use the remainder of the regular season, to give both Hutchinson and Sparks the respective opportunities to make their case. However, there is every chance Mike Babcock won’t want any longstanding uncertainty surrounding the backup goalie position.

In our humble opinion, we would select Hutchinson as the primary backup between the pipes. Regardless, he will get another opportunity to make his case on Monday night, with the Canadian Press confirming he will start against the Nashville Predators.

Who would you prefer to be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ backup goalie for the remainder of this season? Hutchinson or Sparks, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.