The Maple Leafs morning skate on Tuesday drew more attention than normal, as goaltenders Jonathan Bernier, James Reimer and Drew MacIntyre prepared for a potential start against the St. Louis Blues at the Air Canada Center.
Bernier has been out of action with a groin strain since March 13th, but appeared unhindered taking shots from teammates in the home goal, the traditional spot for the upcoming game’s starting goaltender. A decision whether he is physically up for the difficult contest against the Western Conference leaders should be announced shortly after practice.
Jonathan bernier looks good to go tonite. Game time decision. Sportsnet Ont at 7. Leafs tv pre game at 6. #tmltalk pic.twitter.com/BxXcrTfgmK
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) March 25, 2014If the Leafs do not clear Bernier for game action, it would likely be to give their starting netminder another three days to heal before back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Detroit Friday and Saturday.
Coach Randy Carlyle’s dilemma if Bernier is not available is whether to stick with Reimer, who lost his last six starts and was pulled after allowing three goals on 10 shots on Sunday, or go with the 30-year-old journeyman MacIntyre with only five NHL appearances under his belt, but stopped all 14 shots in relief of Reimer in Newark.
Carlyle "I haven't got (clearance for Bernier) from the medical staff and when I do, we'll make a decision...Everything is possible." #leafs
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) March 25, 2014*******
TSN Insider Darren Dreger stated in his regular appearance on TSN Radio Monday evening the opinion that if the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs that coach Randy Carlyle will not be back for next season. Dreger mentioned that the failure of Toronto to make the post-season would necessitate a top to bottom review of the organization by MLSE Chairman Tim Leiweke and GM Dave Nonis, with factors of the coaching staff, injuries and inadequacies of the club’s roster also being taken into consideration.
Current Nashville Predators head coach Barry Trotz was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Toronto coaching position if Trotz is relieved by the Preds at the end of the season after 17 years on the job, but my condition for him being a candidate would be his ability to get Shea Weber to force a trade to the Leafs.
While there is no disputing Dreger’s information and the possibility that the head coach could be the scapegoat for a late season collapse, the review of the organization would rightly have to include the absence of veteran Dave Bolland for three-quarters of the season, the total lack of production of free agent David Clarkson and the injury to Jonathan Bernier coinciding with the club’s recent swan dive, as well as Nonis not being able to acquire a front line center and top pairing defenseman in his tenure as GM.
The critics of Carlyle have pointed to puck possession and shots differential as reasons why Toronto is struggling, but those difficulties are more reflective of the current core group not being able to adapt to a defensive system that worked efficiently in Anaheim. That is the type of game that most or all of the top Stanley Cup contenders are playing, including St. Louis who have allowed 66 less goals than the Leafs.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that they have signed University of New Hampshire defenseman Eric Knodel to a one-year entry level contract.
According to a statement released by the club, the deal will commence at the start of the 2014-15 season, but Knodel will be available to play for the AHL Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the 2013-14 season, as the 23-year-old as agreed to a professional tryout agreement.
Knodel had seven goals and 21 assists, 28 penalty minutes and a +16 rating in 41 games in the NCAA (Hockey East) as captain of the Wildcats this season. Over his three-year career at the University of New Hampshire (2011-12 to 2013-14), the 6-6, 225-pound blueliner posted 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points with 60 penalty minutes in 116 games.
A native of suburban Philadelphia, Knodel was selected by Toronto in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
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