If AHL performance is any indication of NHL readiness, it looks like Marlies and Maple Leafs goaltender could be ready for a full-time job in the NHL.
And that's precisely what Garret Sparks thinks.
In an interview with Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Sparks expressed a desire for a promotion next season, whether that's in Toronto, or elsewhere.
"I expect to be in the NHL next year," he said. "There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be. And if I’m not… I don’t know."
Sparks, who was awarded Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award for the AHL’s outstanding goaltender in 2017-18, had a .936 save percentage en route to winning a Marlies franchise-record 31 games (both also tops in the AHL this season).
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Curtis McElhinney was the Maple Leafs' backup this past season, starting 15 games while posting a .934 save-percentage. The 34-year-old McElhinney has a year remaining on his contract, which will pay him $850,000.
Sparks started 17 games for the Maple Leafs in the 2015-16 season on a very team team, when he was a very different goaltender. Toronto had the worst record in the NHL that season, and Sparks went 6-9-1 with an .893 save-percentage. He not only saw time in the AHL that season, but also in the ECHL.
But in the two seasons since, Sparks has seen his numbers progressively improve, while the Marlies, under the guidance of then assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, have also improved. Sparks had a .922 save-percentage a season ago before seeing that mark jump to .934 this year.
"My chances are what they are because of what I’ve done this season," Sparks told Sportsnet. "My relationship with Kyle Dubas is closer than I’ve ever had with any other member of management in this organization. I think he’s somebody who gets me, gets what I’m about, gets the passion I have for what I do. But, ultimately, it’s his decision."
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The Marlies are in the middle of a run in the Calder Cup playoffs, currently in the Eastern Conference finals against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Toronto won Game 1 of that series, 3-2 in overtime, thanks in large to another impressive performance by Sparks, who stopped 35 of the 37 shots he saw, including this glove save on Greg Carey.
Garret Sparks absolutely ROBS Greg Carey. pic.twitter.com/2saFOd38kU
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) May 20, 2018
Sparks also has a year left on his current Maple Leafs deal, a two-year, $1.3 million contract.