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Toronto Maple Leafs: Trading James Reimer Would Be a Mistake

By David Morassutti

Feb 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) during their game against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer (34) during their game against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Feb 5, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley on his bench against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Columbus Blue Jackets won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Market For Goalies is Bare

There are not many teams who are desperately looking for a goalie. There are only a few exceptions, including the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, and Carolina Hurricanes.

The tough part about Montreal is they are hoping Carey Price can come back this season and if that is the case, they would not need cover. However, if Price cannot return, then they could look at Reimer as a perfect rental goalie, but probably not pay the price to acquire one.

The Flames and Hurricanes have struggled in net, but it is not the only reason why their teams got off to a rough start this season. Carolina has a chance to make a push for the playoffs, even though Eddie Lack and Cam Ward have not had the best season with a combined .904 save percentage (sv%) and a 2.58 goals against average (GAA).

Lack has improved as the season has gone along, especially in January where he had a .924 sv%. Ward also went through the same struggles, but like Lack has been better of late with a .925 sv% in January. A recent concussion sidelined him, but if he can continue his strong play then the Hurricanes would not need to improve in net.

Calgary is the destination that makes the most sense for Reimer, because their goaltending situation has been a roller coaster ride this season. Scouts from the Flames front office were in attendance when Reimer started against the Canadiens a couple of weeks ago, but does that mean he is the goalie that Calgary wants? Karri Ramo had a rough start to the season which included a brief stint in the minors, but he has bounced back from that.

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While Ramo’s numbers have not been equal to Reimer’s, they have not been as bad the past two months, so the last thing the Flames should try to fix is their goaltending. They made the trade to acquire Dougie Hamilton and he has not gotten off to the start he or the team would have liked.

Jiri Hudler, who had a career year last year, has struggled through injuries and has not been putting up the same offensive numbers this season. Sean Monahan has not taken the big jump many were expecting.

The additions of Michael Frolik and Mason Raymond have been underwhelming. The major problem for this Flames team however has been their struggles defensively especially with their possession numbers, where they sit in the bottom 10 of the league.

It would be more important for the team to try and improve in those areas rather than trade for Reimer and hope he can carry the team on his back. Dennis Wideman‘s suspension creates a major hole on the blueline and T.J. Brodie might miss time with an injury, so for the Flames to put resources into a trade for Reimer would not make sense, especially if they think they will get him a fair price.

In addition, the Flames can wait to see what happens in the summer with Reimer. They can also consider a contract extension with Ramo or hope that prospect Jon Gillies is prepared to make a push next season.

Next: Reimer's preference for staying

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