Which Toronto Marlies will become Maple Leafs?

TORONTO, ON - MAY 5: Syracuse Crunch center Kevin Lynch (14) loses the battle along the board, and his glove, as Toronto Marlies left wing Andreas Johnsson (11) heads up ice. Toronto Marlies vs Syracuse Crunch during 1st OVERTIME period action in AHL playoff play at the Ricoh Coliseum. Marlins trail 0-1 in North Division Finals. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 2 – Toronto goalie Garret Sparks (40) makes a save during the 1st period of the Calder Cup Finals game 1 as the Toronto Marlies host the Texas Stars at the Ricoh Coliseum on June 2, 2018. (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Goaltenders

Now, this is going to be interesting to watch. The Leafs’ goalie situation is one where Dubas is going to have to do some work.

Curtis McElhinney has one year remaining on his deal. With a record of 11-5-1 in 18 games, he gave the Leafs every reason to bring him back next season. That being said, the Leafs have not one, but two goalies on the Marlies that will make the decision harder.

Both Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard will require waivers in order to be sent down to the Marlies next season. After his performance this season, battling all the way to the Calder Cup, Sparks could very well be on another team’s radar if they need a goalie. Fans may remember his first stint with the Leafs years ago and how it didn’t go so well. Don’t expect that to happen again after he posted a record of 31-9-2-1 in the regular season.

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Pickard may have been the 1B goalie for the Marlies, but let’s not forget that it was not too long ago where he was starting for the Colorado Avalanche. He was obviously good enough for the Vegas Golden Knights to take him in the expansion draft. Of course, he was then traded to the Leafs where he was stuck behind the depth the Leafs had in the organization. He still managed a record of 21-9-2-1. He is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, so he has to be resigned.

What happens is dependent on if the Leafs think Sparks is ready to take the backup role. If he is, it shouldn’t be too difficult to trade McElhinney.

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