Penguins Add Another NHL-Experienced Goalie, Ties to Dubas

Three is a crowd, but six might be a party. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins signed noted goalie Garret Sparks to an AHL deal Tuesday.

Sparks, 30, is a journeyman goalie with high points of AHL success and 40 career NHL games, mostly with the Toronto Maple Leafs and an award-winning run with the 2017-18 Toronto Marlies that ended with the Calder Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas was the general manager of that Marlies team. Sparks won the AHL award for best goaltender, led the league in wins (31), and save percentage (.936).

In his 11-year career, Sparks played 37 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, including 17 in 2015-16, and 20 more in 2918-19. He played one game for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019-20 and two games for the LA Kings in 2021-22.

In his NHL career, Sparks has an .899 save percentage and a 15-18-2 record.

Last season, Sparks split time between the Springfield Thunderbirds and Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL). In three games with Springfield, Sparks had a 1-2-0 record with a 2.38 goals against average, .924 save percentage, and one shutout.

In 178 career AHL regular-season games, Sparks has gone 99-59-11 with a 2.34 goals against average, .921 save percentage, and 18 shutouts.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have four goalies under NHL contract: Tristan Jarry, Casey DeSmith, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Magnus Hellberg. Top goalie prospect Joel Blomqvist could be ready to join the Penguins organization after two seasons in the Finnish Elite League.

Correction: The original version incorrectly listed Blomqvist in the Swedish Elite League.

The Penguins also have Tommy Nappier and Taylor Gauthier in the organization.