(starting 92). Sparks has played only 27 games (starting 26). Hutchinson also was 鈥淭he Man鈥?during the 2014-15 with the Winnipeg Jets, and was successful in that role.聽His record that season was 21-10-5 in 36 starts, with a .914 save percentage and 2.38 GAA.Where Hutchinson

When the Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Michael Hutchinson www.minnesotawildteamshops.com , it was for goaltending depth only. But the newly-acquired goaltender for the Maple Leafs made his third consecutive start in net on Monday night against the Nashville Predators. He lost 5-0, as his Maple Leaf teammates were overwhelmed by the Predators.In Hutchinson鈥檚 first start, he held his team in a game they eventually lost. In his second start, he whitewashed the Vancouver Canucks 5-0. In his third start, the sky fell in. That outing aside, his play in net has been strong enough that many have asked if he could be a threat to unseat Garret Sparks as the backup to starter Frederik Andersen.advertising via Sharp MagazineBefore Andersen鈥檚 injury, Sparks had done a good enough job in net as a backup. His record was 6-2-1, and that is certainly strong enough for a backup goalie. But Hutchinson has somehow generated excitement with the Maple Leaf fans in ways Sparks hasn鈥檛. Perhaps it鈥檚 because Hutchinson鈥檚 a home-town 鈥済uy,鈥?growing up in Barrie, ON. Authentic Jaccob Slavin Jersey , only about an hour鈥檚 drive away. Sparks? From far away Elmhurst, IL. Such things matter to Maple Leaf fans.It鈥檚 probably fair to say that Hutchinson鈥檚 play in the Maple Leafs鈥?net has been a bit surprising. His body of work聽this year with the Florida Panthers really wasn鈥檛 strong. In four games, he recorded a 4.17 GAA and .839 save percentage. Sparks鈥?6-2-1 record, 3.00 GAA, and .905 save percentage over his 10 2018-19 starts is actually good given the wheeling-and-dealing nature of the Maple Leafs鈥?offense and the team's less-than-stellar defense.advertising via Arctic Ice HockeyComparing Sparks to Hutchinson in other areas doesn鈥檛 suggest much difference between the goalies. Prior to this season, Sparks beat out Curtis McElhinney聽to be聽Andersen's backup. However, McElhinney is 35-years-old and Sparks, by comparison, is only 25. Hutchinson, at 28-years-old Jordan Staal Jersey , isn鈥檛 that much聽older.Salary-wise, Hutchinson鈥檚 base is $1.3 million this season, and he will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Sparks鈥?salary is only $700,000, and he will become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the campaign.advertisingExperience-wise, Hutchinson聽has the聽edge. He has played 108 games (starting 92). Sparks has played only 27 games (starting 26). Hutchinson also was 鈥淭he Man鈥?during the 2014-15 with the Winnipeg Jets, and was successful in that role.聽His record that season was 21-10-5 in 36 starts, with a .914 save percentage and 2.38 GAA.Where Hutchinson stands with the Maple Leafs is still in question; however, his play in net so far, at least Womens Justin Faulk Jersey , sets him up for more work in the future somewhere, if not in Toronto.Where does that leave the Maple Leafs鈥?backup situation? The answer is probably right where it was before Hutchinson was parachuted into the nets for the three games he has played. Hutchinson gets the start against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, and perhaps his play聽in that game will provide more insight about where he stands in competition with Sparks for the backup role.advertisingBut, we're thinking nothing will change. Andersen will remain the starter, and Sparks will remain the backup to Andersen when he returns from his concussion protocol. BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres are sending Matt Hunwick to the minors on a rehabilitation assignment in the veteran defenseman’s next step in recovering from a neck injury he sustained last summer.Coach Phil Housley said Hunwick will play at least one and possibly two games for Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester, New York. Rochester plays home games on Wednesday and Friday.Hunwick is an 11-year veteran, who was acquired with forward Conor Sheary in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in June. He was hurt while working out on his own and has yet to play a game for Buffalo.Hunwick began practicing with the team Nov. 29, when Buffalo opened a three-game road trip at Tampa Bay.Buffalo demoted goalie Scott Wedgewood to Rochester with Carter Hutton cleared to return after missing one game with an upper body injury. Hutton will back up Linus Ullmark for Buffalo’s home game against Los Angeles on Tuesday night.