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Making Sense Or Talking Nonsense?

June 19, 2013, 5:36 PM ET [579 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
My general rule for free agent signing or trade rumors is that they have to make sense and address the needs of the team in question to be believable.

On Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported that the Leafs were one of the “front runners” to acquire Los Angeles Kings backup goalie Jonathan Bernier.

There is no doubt that Bernier is well regarded around the league and that teams looking for a future front line goaltender will be willing to pay handsomely for a 24 year old who served his apprenticeship with last year’s Stanley Cup champion, but paying the price necessary to acquire him does not add up in the Leafs current circumstance.

Toronto GM Dave Nonis indicated at the end of the season that he was open to improving and upgrading in every area, but that James Reimer would be back as the club's number one goaltender.

“He did a very good job for us…..I don’t think anyone can point to goaltending as an issue with our team.” Nonis said

With the glaring need for a number one center or power forward and increased depth, the only thing that the addition of Bernier would create is an unwanted goaltending controversy that might rival the Roberto Luongo and Corey Schnieder saga in Vancouver.

If the Leafs decide to make any changes between the pipes, it will likely be due to backup Ben Scrivens being traded, as the 26 year old will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. If Toronto dabbles in the goaltending market, it will likely be a low cost veteran free agent like Evgeni Nabokov, Ray Emery or Jose Theodore, who would be willing to serve as a mentor/backup to Reimer and play 20 to 25 games, not a big ticket item like Bernier who would cost them a first round pick and a prospect.

File the Bernier rumors under the category using the media spotlight of Toronto to get a player’s name a little more attention.

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On the flip side, Kypreos reported a lengthy discussion between Nonis and new Edmonton boss Craig MacTavish following the GM Meetings in Boston Wednesday afternoon.

While two general managers chatting is proof of absolutely nothing, there is no doubt that the recent hiring of Dallas Eakins as Oilers head coach and his known connection to a number of young players in the Toronto organization could provide the ingredients for a significant transaction in the very near future.

The Oilers blueline is in need of bolstering with only Justin Schultz, veterans Nick Schultz, Ladislav Smid and Jeff Petry under contract and MacTavish is known to be looking for a goaltender to battle incumbent Devan Dubnyk for the number one job.

Jake Gardiner, Korbinian Holzer, Scrivens and Matt Frattin were all part of Eakins Toronto Marlies squad that went to the Calder Cup Final last season and Edmonton has a bevy of talented offensive forwards in Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle and restricted free agent Sam Gagner, as well as the 7th pick in NHL Draft on June 30th.

A potential deal between the Oilers and Leafs might be mutually beneficial and does make sense, while trading for a young goaltender who is no more proven than the guy who broke the club’s nine year playoff drought makes none at all.

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