Maple Leafs lose goalies McElhinney, Pickard on waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending depth just took a hit.

Veteran Curtis McElhinney was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, while fellow netminder Calvin Pickard was claimed by the Philadelphia Flyers, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

These moves come in the wake of Toronto's decision to keep 2017-18 AHL goaltender of the year Garret Sparks as the team's backup behind Frederik Andersen this season.

McElhinney, 35, is coming off the best season of his career, posting a .934 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average in 18 games with the Leafs a year ago. He'll likely split duties with Petr Mrazek in the Hurricanes' crease while Scott Darling recovers from a lower-body injury.

Pickard, 26, spent the bulk of the 2017-18 campaign with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, registering a .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average in 33 games. The former Colorado Avalanche netminder will likely serve as Brian Elliott's backup in Philadelphia until Michal Neuvirth regains full health.

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