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NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs shopping Calvin Pickard

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 12: Calvin Pickard #31 replaces goalie Garret Sparks #40 of the Toronto Marlies during game 6 of the AHL Calder Cup Final against the Texas Stars on June 12, 2018 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Texas defeated Toronto 5-2. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 12: Calvin Pickard #31 replaces goalie Garret Sparks #40 of the Toronto Marlies during game 6 of the AHL Calder Cup Final against the Texas Stars on June 12, 2018 at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Texas defeated Toronto 5-2. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made goaltender Calvin Pickard available.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a bit of a problem. They have no fewer than four goaltenders who are NHL calibre. However, the Leafs can only keep two. Both Calvin Pickard and Garrett Sparks, who did well for the Toronto Marlies last season, must go through waivers at the start of the season. Rather than lose one of them, the latest NHL trade rumors have the Leafs shopping the former.

Toronto acquired Pickard from the Vegas Golden Knights last season. He did quite well with the Marlies, serving as Sparks’ backup. In 33 games during the regular season, Pickard posted a .918 save percentage with a 2.31 GAA.

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This report comes from James Mirtle, the editor-in-chief of The Athletic (Toronto). Here’s what he had to say during a recent TSN interview. This comes around the 9:00 mark.

"“Pickard has been offered around the league in trade talks, other teams have been saying that. So, you know they are looking to ease that logjam a little bit.”"

With Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney, the Leafs have two pretty good goaltenders. There is some reason to be concerned about the latter given his career numbers, but Sparks is about as good of a fallback option as you can get.

Sure, the Leafs are going to have to send Sparks down to the AHL and put him on waivers in the process. However, if Toronto trades Pickard, at least they get something for those two guys. Which is significantly better than losing two goalies for nothing.

It’s worth noting the Leafs are a team who could easily afford to keep three goalies around if they need to. Having both McElhinney and Sparks on the team could help Toronto manage Andersen’s usage, something they haven’t done well the past two seasons.

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Teams are likely fine with their goaltending right now, but the Leafs are an injury or an unimpressive training camp away from someone likely wanting to upgrade their goaltending or find an extra one. They’re in a unique situation right now and could use it to their advantage.

For all the last NHL trade rumors, check out our Rumors page. 

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