Colin Dambrauskas: Leafs Not Deep Enough For Win Over Avs; Is Reimer Becoming Expendable?

Colin Dambrauskas: Leafs Not Deep Enough For Win Over Avs; Is Reimer Becoming Expendable?
- Colin_Dambrauskas

It's becoming pretty clear that Bernier is the golden child here....and seems to be living up to it.

I could see Reimer shipped out to Calgary....or maybe Minnesota (depending on Backstrom injury).

Good read.

Do you do double team duty now Colin or have you given up on the Flames?

I agree...depth is a concern, but I think they need to try Leivo. Interesting to see how important a good 3rd line is and that effective 3rd liners are not that easy to replace. Reimer - it's early, but maybe. He needs to be playing well to trade, and if he's playing well he may not get traded.

Morning Mike

I think we have two starting goaltenders with two different styles. Hard to say who's better than who. I just hope they give Reimer some more games so we can flip one ala Price/Halak. I would rather keep Bernier personally, but both are great goalies

I agree...depth is a concern, but I think they need to try Leivo. Interesting to see how important a good 3rd line is and that effective 3rd liners are not that easy to replace. Reimer - it's early, but maybe. He needs to be playing well to trade, and if he's playing well he may not get traded.
- Woderwick

The third line might have been better if Kadri wasn't playing on the fourth.

WTF is that all about?

Nice write-up. I tend to agree on the fact that Bernier seems much more calm and in control in the net. Even as a fan i feel calmer watching Bernier over Reimer. Whenever Reims makes a save it warrants a cheer and a holy poop he saved it, but when Bernier makes a save it almost seems like just another save with the 'been there done that, whens the next one' feeling.

I agree...depth is a concern, but I think they need to try Leivo. Interesting to see how important a good 3rd line is and that effective 3rd liners are not that easy to replace. Reimer - it's early, but maybe. He needs to be playing well to trade, and if he's playing well he may not get traded.
- Woderwick

Exactly. With McClement, Clarkson and Kulie out a lot of players have been shifted around and it didn't help last night.

3rd line of Ray Bolly and Kulie is what we need to solidify everyone else

The third line might have been better if Kadri wasn't playing on the fourth.

WTF is that all about?
- stormeyAlterEgo

Man i felt sorry for him last night, everytime he had the puck he looked up and saw Orr and Ashton.

Morning Mike

I think we have two starting goaltenders with two different styles. Hard to say who's better than who. I just hope they give Reimer some more games so we can flip one ala Price/Halak. I would rather keep Bernier personally, but both are great goalies
- Boosinicka

Mike who?

Reimer isn't going anywhere soon.

Fraser is out also (worth mentioning).

Unless Reimer is packaged with someone (say Gardiner just to cause poop)....then I wouldn't send him anywhere - the return on a somewhat unproven NHL goalie isn't worth the risk at this point I don't think - might as well keep him. Nothing wrong with having 2 good goalies.

Mike who?
- Woderwick

I could see him being sought after by a few teams, the two in Alberta as a start.
Not sure whether he would have much trade value though as he would be looked at as an expendable asset by trading partners as well.
I think the Leafs will hang on to him for the full season in the end; perhaps trading at the deadline to free up space for a bigger acquisition to help for a push.
The tandem is not a bad thing. Worked really well for the Habs when they had Halak and Price... problem is it isn't sustainable long term as pay raises will force one out. In the Leafs case that could be this summer as Reimer is an RFA (Similar to the Habs situation except both were RFA's in their case).
So it will come down to whether he is more valuable as a second option (injury or poor play by Bernier) or on the trade market this season.
My bet is that they trade him after the season (at the draft?) for a pick or two.

EDIT:
sorry... just checked... it's not til after next season that Reimer is an RFA... appologies... it's early
EDIT 2:
Nope... I was right the first time... I need to get more sleep... no more staying up watching the late games!

Nice write-up. I tend to agree on the fact that Bernier seems much more calm and in control in the net. Even as a fan i feel calmer watching Bernier over Reimer. Whenever Reims makes a save it warrants a cheer and a holy poop he saved it, but when Bernier makes a save it almost seems like just another save with the 'been there done that, whens the next one' feeling.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Agree...Bernier is good for my heart. Still love Reimer, but now he may get to feel how Bernier has fealt these past years behind Quick.

Fraser is out also (worth mentioning).

Unless Reimer is packaged with someone (say Gardiner just to cause poop)....then I wouldn't send him anywhere - the return on a somewhat unproven NHL goalie isn't worth the risk at this point I don't think - might as well keep him. Nothing wrong with having 2 good goalies.
- BlowMonkey

Reimer+Gardiner for Yakupov

-Berger

That description of Reimer, was almost like deja vu in that the exact same thing could be said about Varlamov for the last couple of years.

Problem is... Wasn't Allaire Reimer's coach at one point?

Like Quick and Bernier, Varly has elite level athletic ability but has only recently learned to be more calm and economic in net.

Reimer is either going to have to figure this out, or he will remain average and inconsistent.

Reimer+Gardiner for Yakupov

-Berger
- Feeling Glucky?

The virtue of Reimer right now is that he's cheaper than Dubnyk. I'm not sure we'd be terribly more confident in him.

Gardiner is pretty similar in skillset to Schultz, though further along defensively and a little more conservative.

Reimer and Gardiner for Glencross and Giordano

Man i felt sorry for him last night, everytime he had the puck he looked up and saw Orr and Ashton.
- walshyleafsfan

Seriously....what did he do to deserve that?

I'm sure he thinks he deserves to play with Kessel then he looks up a the board and sees that lineup.

Maybe the thinking he deserves to play with Kessel thing is the issue.

Good read.

Do you do double team duty now Colin or have you given up on the Flames?
- Morris

Thanks - Flames full time, once a week on Wednesdays for the Leafs.

Reimer and Gardiner for Glencross and Giordano
- Viktory

Do we have to pay them? If we do, could be an issue.

Seriously....what did he do to deserve that?

I'm sure he thinks he deserves to play with Kessel then he looks up a the board and sees that lineup.

Maybe the thinking he deserves to play with Kessel thing is the issue.
- stormeyAlterEgo

I have no idea at all. I suppose they were down quite a few bodies at forward and thought they can't just run two lines (the rest are a bit junk). Thought Kadri on a line may give that line a chance?

I honestly don't know

Not too sure if moving a young, nicely skilled and still learning Gardener ,is a good move .If so what do the leafs fans think their biggest need is

Reimer+Gardiner for Yakupov

-Berger
- Feeling Glucky?

Just what the Leafs need - more top 6 wingers! Way to go Berger.