As I’m sure everyone knows well – the issue has been discussed ad nauseam by the hockey community – Maple Leafs fans have been a divided group this season, split between the backers of James Reimer and those of Jonathan Bernier. Now, it seems like Bernier has emerged as the clear winner of the battle; the team’s de facto number one goalie (two Latin phrases in the first paragraph? You bet!). So, it appears that the next question the Leafs must answer is: what to do with Reimer?
This past week, Reimer has seen much more action than he had the previous month or so, due to Bernier’s groin injury. He hasn’t been bad, but the Leafs’ weak defence, slumping forwards and, admittedly, some shaky play by Reimer means that his team is in an unfortunate losing skid. I certainly wouldn’t blame the Leafs’ woes on Reimer, however there are certainly those in the Toronto hockey community who think Reimer has been part of the problem. After the club’s 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, things got a little heated after coach Randy Carlyle failed to support his goalie during his post-game interview.
Thus, despite his great season last year, in which he posted a .924 save percentage and led the Leafs to their first playoff appearance in nine years, it looks like Reimer’s time in Toronto may be drawing to a close. He’ll be a restricted free agent after this season, meaning the Leafs would have to commit to keeping him around by re-signing him. However, it’s painfully obvious that Reimer wants to be a starting goalie in the NHL. It’s also painfully obvious that the Leafs organization has committed to Bernier being their long-term starting goalie (and really, it’s been that way since they traded for him in June). And if Reimer and Carlyle are no longer seeing eye-to-eye, then it probably is best for him to be moved out of town. It’s been reported that, this summer, Reimer is likely to request a trade away from Toronto.
The problem with trading Reimer is, however, that there isn’t really much of a market for goaltenders right now. We’ve all seen what goalies have been getting in return this season and, with the exception of the Ryan Miller trade, the value isn’t terribly high. There are definitely teams that could use a goalie like Reimer – the Jets and the Islanders immediately spring to mind – however, judging by the precedents set by the other goalie trades, I can’t see the Leafs getting too much for him.
Reimer’s trade value will be decreased even further by several factors. First of all, if things between him and the Maple Leafs have broken down, and he does request a trade, other teams will know about it. So, the Leafs will be basically forced to move him, and teams will be trying to fleece them. Also, since he’s seen a drastic reduction in his playing time this year (as well as a drop in his stats), serving as a backup to Bernier for much of the past few months, the Leafs won’t get what they would for an established number one goalie (although Reimer could undoubtedly be a starter for several NHL teams).
I really would love to see Dave Nonis find a way to sign Reimer to a one-year contract extension. This would give the Leafs more time to find good value for the goalie, and make a move either at next year’s trade deadline or off-season, when there might be more of a market for goalies. However, this scenario is looking increasingly unlikely, as Reimer’s beginning to show signs that he wants out.
It’s hard to fault Reimer for any of this, of course. He’s still been a solid goaltender on a team that gets outshot every night. The way the Leafs organization has treated him has been quite bad – his confidence is very clearly much lower than it was when he was the unchallenged number one. And, as a fan favourite, many Leafs fans will be very sad to see him go. I don’t think I’d be wrong in saying many people in Toronto will wish Reimer great success wherever he ends up. It appears that the time has come for the Maple Leafs to part ways with this ever-optimistic man who carried them to the playoffs. It’d be nice to see him back, but I think it’s best for both the franchise and the player that Reimer isn’t a Leaf in 2014-15.
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