Toronto Maple Leafs: Trading James Reimer Would Be a Mistake

Future of Jonathan Bernier

It is no secret that Jonathan Bernier has struggled with his confidence this season and it may have cost him his future as the Leafs number one goalie. He has one year left at $4.15 million, which is a lot to pay a goalie if he just sits on the bench, which is why the Leafs should try to move him at the deadline.

There is always the chance Bernier could regain the starting job if Reimer is not back with the team, but it does not guarantee he will stay with the team once his contract has expired. Would it be worth taking the gamble on Bernier bouncing back and staying, rather than taking the opportunity to get Reimer extended to a reasonable contract, especially if he wants to stay?

Mirtle notes in his article about Reimer in terms of his advanced stats, which actually favours him over Bernier:

"According to Christopher Boucher from Montreal-based analytics firm Sportlogiq, Reimer’s “red-zone” save percentage – the percentage of shots he has stopped right in front of the goal – is .835, which is second only in the NHL to Washington’s Braden Holtby. Bernier’s red-zone save percentage (.663) is well below the league average (.755). The Leafs analytics department is well aware of these types of numbers – and others that are more advanced and outside the public domain. There is a theory in the organization that their best bet is to find a goaltender who will excel under Babcock by being able to save the types of chances his teams typically give up. Reimer appears to score well by those metrics, not just this season – in which his technique appears improved, thanks in part to the adoption of a methodology known as head trajectory – but in his career."

Bernier improved his stats in the month of January with a 2.42 GAA and a .935 sv% in five games. However, it is hard to forget the poor numbers he had in the months prior.

Both Reimer and Bernier are the same age, so there is no argument to be made in that regard. However, Reimer has been more successful in Babcock’s system.

Reimer is only 27-years old, so it is too early to say that the window is closing on his time as a starter. Many goalies should be able to start, even at the age of 35 and up.

Roberto Luongo is still playing at a high level at the age of 36 and if the Leafs can find a way to be fairly competitive when Reimer is in his early 30s’, there should be no reason to be concerned over his age. There is no way Garret Sparks or Antoine can be thrust into the starting job next season, as it would be a disservice to their development.

Many teams do not move a capable starting goalie, because they are tough to trade for. It is always much better to draft and develop one – just ask the the Vancouver Canucks about letting an elite goalie in Cory Schneider go for a first round pick then having to find another one in free agency.

The Ottawa Senators traded Ben Bishop for Cory Conacher (basically a bag of pucks) and a fourth round pick. This is something the Leafs can avoid by extending Reimer, because while he is not elite like Price, Jonathan Quick, Schneider or Henrik Lundqvist, he has shown this season that he is capable of being good enough.

Next: Why the Leafs should trade James Reimer

Would you trade James Reimer or keep him in Toronto? Let us know in the comments section below.