Ex-Leaf McElhinney finds new life in ‘Canes net
Curtis McElhinney understands why the Maple Leafs chose to go to with Garret Sparks as their backup goaltender.
There remains some frustration for McElhinney in how his tenure with the Leafs ended. McElhinney started in the Carolina Hurricanes’ net at PNC Arena against the Leafs on Wednesday night. Carolina won the game 5-2. “I think there is always disappointment when you’re pushed out the door,” McElhinney said after the morning skate. “That’s just the nature of the game.
“They had a younger, more viable option with Garret and I think he has done a tremendous job to start the season, so it was the right decision, but there is certainly frustration with it. But you move on and I have another opportunity here. It has been nice, I get to see the sun on a daily basis, so you don’t complain about that.”
What made playing in Toronto a highlight?
“Just the attention,” McElhinney said. “Huge market. It’s a fun place to play. There are a lot of people who care about it. Just a good atmosphere overall to play in.” Carolina claimed McElhinney on waivers on Oct. 2 and in six games for the Hurricanes before last night, the 35-year-old compiled a 4-2-0 record with a .903 save percentage and a 2.51 goalsagainst average. Sparks, who is on track to make his next start for the Leafs on Saturday night at home against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second game of a back-to-back set for Toronto, is 3-1-0 in four games with a .906 save percentage and a 3.21 goals-against average. McElhinney was excellent in relief of Frederik Andersen last season, going 11-5-1 with a .934 save percentage and three shutouts. There was some consternation among some Leafs observers when the club went with Sparks over McElhinney and Calvin Pickard, who was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers, but it’s not a decision that has hurt the Leafs.
“Mac is a great guy, good family guy, good player, good person,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said. “Any time a player has done a good job for the organization, when he goes somewhere else, you wish him well.”