Will Toronto be able to repeat the same level of success they had during a lockout shortened 48 game schedule over a normal 82 game season? Will the additions of free agent winger David Clarkson and center Dave Bolland be a good fit and contribute to the improvement of the team? Will the pending free agent status of team captain Dion Phaneuf and leading scorer Phil Kessel or possible holdouts of Nazem Kadri or Cody Franson be a distraction throughout the year?
These are some of the questions ahead for the 2013-14 edition of the Maple Leafs, but the one that may have the greatest effect on the immediate future of the club is whether the tandem of incumbent James Reimer and newly acquired Jonathan Bernier will provide stability between the pipes or fodder for the Toronto media.
The Leafs made the playoffs for the first time in nine years due in part to the performance of 25-year-old Reimer, who went 19-8-5 with a 2.46 GAA and .924 save % in 2013, but in spite of playing very well at times in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Boston, he also had his part in the third period collapse in Game 7, allowing three third period goals and Patrice Bergeron’s overtime winner.
The Leafs acquired the 25-year-old Bernier in late June for winger Matt Frattin, goalie Ben Scrivens and a 2nd round pick in 2014 or 2015 and signed the restricted free agent to a two year, $5.8 Million extension a few weeks later.
Coach
Randy Carlyle and Leafs management have spun the addition of Bernier as less about the dependability of Reimer and more about the overall improvement of the club.
“You look at these two young players, Reimer and Bernier, and we’ve given them an opportunity to compete at that position.” Carlyle said following the NHL Draft in early July. “We shouldn’t look at it as slighting anybody. You make decisions and you make moves to add depth at a position that is very, very important.”
Reimer clearly interpreted the trade as a lack of confidence in his abilities, as all indications before the trade were that the Leafs were going to add an experienced veteran rather than Bernier, who was selected 88 picks ahead of him in 2006.
“It makes you feel a bit doubted as a goalie” Reimer said to Toronto Sun columnist
Mike Zeisberger the day after the deal. “Is it by the coaches? Is it by the GM? Is it by the media? You could drive yourself crazy asking yourself things like that…..you just have to focus on what you can control and believe in yourself.”
The battle between Bernier and Reimer will be one of the more highly anticipated aspects of the pre-season, as their performance in exhibition games could give one the upper hand on who gets to carry the ball early in the regular season.
While some believe that Reimer as the incumbent starter has earned the first crack at the job as a sign of respect to his past performance, it is highly unlikely that Bernier was acquired to play second fiddle as he was for former Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick the last three seasons.
The Leafs hope that the battle for playing time between Reimer and Bernier will push the two goalies towards performing at their highest level and not create a Toronto version of the Luongo-Schneider media circus.
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