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Backup plan: Leafs hand Sparks two-way deal

A Week With The Orlando Solar Bears

ESTERO, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Garret Sparks #33 of the Orlando Solar Bears waits for warmup ice to be ready prior to the game against the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena on February 10, 2016 in Estero, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Don’t be surprised if the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goalie duo ends up being Frederik Andersen and Garret Sparks next season.

The Maple Leafs signed Sparks to a one-year, two-way deal on Friday. The two-way nature of that contract gives the Buds a little wiggle room if they aren’t confident that Sparks will stand as their No. 2, but he seems like the right guy at the moment.

His NHL numbers are pedestrian so far, although he made a great first impression by pitching a shutout in his debut.

Other important Sparks notes:


  • That last phrase reminds us that his last name lends itself to many puns and goofy jokes.
  • Sparks has come a long way as a seventh-rounder (190th pick in 2011).
  • He should be required to wear those sweet pads.
  • Sparks made this save:

Yup, pertinent stuff.

A lot has changed in Toronto, and you can see that in net alone, as the Maple Leafs see Sparks and Andersen a season after Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer manned the crease.

The team didn’t disclose financial details, but two-way deals are typically very cap-friendly.