The goalie found himself on the move earlier in the week as part of a bizarre trade that saw the Vegas Golden Knights send a fourth round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft along with David Clarkson‘s hefty contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Sparks.
It was a move that was layered with intricate complexities but it also served multiple purposes, including clearing some much-needed cap space for the Golden Knights as they continue to pursue a return for Russian stud Nikita Gusev, while it gave the Leafs flexibility in their ongoing battle to thrash out a new contract with Mitch Marner, who led the team in points last year with 94 (26 goals, 68 assists).