The Leafs needed someone who could help lighten the load of Frederik Andersen who’s started 33 of the team’s 39 games this season, including three sets of back-to-backs.

The 27-year-old is on pace to start around 70 games, a substantial increase from his career high of 53 while with the Anaheim Ducks.

”We’re trying to put a veteran in there that can take away some of those games that maybe (can) give (Andersen) a rest,” Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello told the Canadian Press.

McElhinney had made only five starts in place of No. 1 Sergei Bobrovsky for the Blue Jackets this season, allowing five goals on 34 shots in his last appearance on Jan. 7, a 5-4 loss to the New York Rangers.

The post Maple Leafs acquire McElhinney off waivers appeared first on IdealCapper.

To replace McElhinney, Columbus recalled 24-year-old Anton Forsberg from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. If the 33-year-old McElhinney clears waivers, he’ll be sent to Cleveland.

McElhinney was in goal on Saturday night when the Blue Jackets fell to the New York Rangers, who rallied from a 4-1 deficit and scored the winning goal with 17 seconds left. Before that, he was 2-0-2 this season starting in place of Sergei Bobrovsky.

Winger Markus Hannikainen also was sent to Cleveland as part of the transaction Monday.

McElhinney is signed through this season.

The post Blue Jackets waive backup goalie after poor performance appeared first on IdealCapper.