The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have signed backup goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year extension worth $750,000.
Sparks, 25, won the Leafs’ backup job last fall after a couple of sterling seasons with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The organization promptly lost much of its goaltending depth behind Sparks, as goalies Calvin Pickard and Curtis McElhinney were both claimed on waivers.
Garret has had an up and down season thus far, putting up an unsightly .902 save percentage in 14 games played. He hasn’t been totally abject, but also hasn’t dazzled. McElhinney’s stellar season with the Carolina Hurricanes has occasioned some bitter comments from Leaf fans about whether the team chose to keep the right goalie.