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Leafs not YET going for Crawford or Nabokov in "Year of the Backup" |
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It was a slow rumor weekend (to say the least), but next Thursday is American Thanksgiving, and along with the traditional Giant Balloons on 5th Ave and the traditional Turkey dinner comes the traditional time of panic in the NHL. We can expect these next few weeks to be chock full of rumors and there are many I talk to who anticipate a deal or two which could shock the hockey world and throw the balance of powers in each Conference into question.
It's a great time of year.
The one rumor which is apparently picking up quite a bit of steam of late is the Maple Leafs deciding whether or not they can maintain their spot atop the division (haven't written that in a while) with their star young goalie James Reimer still on the shelf with a mystery ailment that had a reporter actually contact his mom about...another story for another day...
There have been speculative rumors out there about the Leafs looking to get Nabokov from the Isles or Schneider from Vancouver. When I asked sources about both, I was told the Leafs weren't pursuing those paths. You see, both Nabokov and Schneider see themselves as #1 goalies in this league and while you can debate whether they are or they aren't, Toronto appears set on Reimer as their #1.
However, after Reimer went 4-0-1 in his sizzling start the Leafs have played only .500 hockey with their two backups, and both being young backups with little experience doesn't bode well. The Leafs want a veteran goalie who can help Reimer along and step in when possible...and with good reason.
Every year you can usually point to up to 5 teams who make the playoffs by a narrow margin. But who would have not been close were it not for some great backup goalie time? Brent Johnson in Pittsburgh is the first to come to mind. And last year it was Enroth, not Miller, who got the Sabres to the playoffs...
This has been the "Year of the Backup" in my opinion...Elliot in St Louis is 6-1 with the lowest G.A.A in the NHL at 1.49, Enroth in Buffalo is 5-0 with a 1.75. Harding in Minnesota is 4-1 and his .948 save percentage ties him with Dan Ellis in Anaheim (another backup) for the best save percentage in hockey.
St. Louis, Buffalo, Minnesota, and Anheim...four teams who have been fighting for late playoff points the past few seasons...all have gotten key points early from their backups.
The Leafs have not.
What's the Buzz?
Who do you think the Leafs should be going after?
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