James Reimer is not pleased with the fact that he has lost the starting goaltending job to Jonathan Bernier and knows that his future in Toronto is in question as the March 5th trade deadline approaches.
"Who knows what's going to happen on the horizon here and right now I don't know if I want to talk about it too much." Reimer told
TSN’s Mark Masters on Tuesday. "I love playing here and obviously I want to be a starter, so it's been an interesting year."
The Maple Leafs former top netminder has started only four games in 2014, with his goals against average ballooning to 3.25, while Bernier has gone 5-1 in six straight starts after Reimer was pulled after allowing four goals in Winnipeg over a month ago.
Leafs GM Dave Nonis has indicated on numerous occasions that he is not looking to trade the 25-year-old netminder and could foresee re-signing him after his three year, $5.4 Million contract expires this summer, but with the way blocked by Bernier to becoming an NHL starter, Reimer is likely to seek a trade to another club where he could be a number one once again.
"I feel like I've had a couple of solid years where I've played really well. And obviously, last year went to the playoffs and led a team to the playoffs when probably a lot of people didn't expect us to go.” Reimer said “Yeah, I feel like I've played well and I don't think there's much debate for it. Maybe other people think so. I don't know."
Nonis would be creating a weakness where there is strength by moving Reimer before the deadline, as the Leafs would either have to acquire a goalie from another team or call up veteran AHLer Drew MacIntyre from the Toronto Marlies to backup Bernier.
If the Leafs wait until the summer, Reimer could attract interest as a more economical option to signing unrestricted free agents Ryan Miller or Jaroslav Halak. Teams like Edmonton(who have gone through five goalies this season) or Calgary(with the unspectacular pairing of Reto Berra and Karri Ramo splitting duties) may be interested in the Morweena, MB native.
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Toronto is keeping their options open for possible moves before next Wednesday’s 3pm deadline and are open to making a straight up hockey deal for a top four defenseman or a forward that could play on their top three lines, but do not appear to be interested in giving up young assets or draft picks for a quick fix.
"I don't anticipate us making any major moves," Nonis told The Toronto Sun’s
Mike Zeisberger. "And I definitely don't see us getting involved in a rent-a-player transaction that sees us move resources for someone we only have for a handful of weeks."
TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated on AM 1050’s Leafs Breakfast that the possibility of moving pending RFA Jake Gardiner or center Nazem Kadri still exists, but only if interested teams are willing to give up players of comparable age and talent. As with Reimer, deals of that nature are more likely to occur at the NHL Draft or during the summer when clubs are unencumbered by the limitations of the salary cap.
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TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that multiple teams are looking to see whether the Vancouver Canucks are willing to trade some of their veteran players before the deadline. McKenzie mentioned defenseman Alexander Edler and forward Ryan Kesler as possible targets.
While the 27 year old Edler was drafted by Nonis in his first year as GM with the Canucks, the Leafs are likely not interested in his $5 Million price tag over the next four seasons. Kesler on the other hand might be a fit for Toronto, with his size and defensive ability. The 29-year-old US Olympian would represent a bit of cost certainty at the center position, as he has two years remaining at $5 Million.
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