Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers are the front runners for Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Bernier.
The 24 year old Bernier has been the backup to former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick and has been the focus of numerous trade rumors the last three seasons, but it appears that his departure from last year’s Stanley Cup champions is inevitable, as he becomes a restricted free agent on July 5.
Kypreos indicates that the Flyers will be in the mix for Bernier, as they are expected to either use a compliance buyout on free agent bust Ilya Bryzgalov, while the Leafs interest in the former Kings first rounder may be due to the influence MLSE President and CEO Tim Leiweke, who is the former boss of the Anschutz Entertainment Group(who owns the Kings).
Interest from both the Flyers and Leafs is possible, but any team that has any questions between the pipes will also be in the mix.
Newsday’s Arthur Staple indicates that the New York Islanders are also in hot pursuit of Bernier as a potential replacement for veteran UFA Evgeni Nabokov, while the Buffalo Sabres could have interest if they follow through on trading Ryan Miller this summer.
Interest in Bernier from a Toronto perspective makes sense only if GM Dave Nonis is unsure of James Reimer's ability to be an NHL number one goaltender, but with the club's weakness up the middle and need to add a power forward to their top six, expending assets to acquire a goaltender who is no more a sure thing than Reimer does not add up.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
HNIC's
Elliotte Friedman reports in his weekly "30 Thoughts" column that the Leafs are taking a hard line towards pending UFA center Tyler Bozak, as they did with the departed Leo Komarov and that negotiations are not going well.
Nonis will not break the bank for Bozak in the wake of last year's signing of Mikhail Grabovski and according to Friedman, the Leafs GM is saving his available cap space for a big off-season move, possibly Florida free agent Stephen Weiss or someone else.
For Those on Twitter:
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information
click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»