Could the Toronto Maple Leafs reunite with James Reimer?

The trade deadline is just one day away and the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to make a deal or two, could one be for a goaltender?

The Toronto Maple Leafs remain third in the Atlantic Division with 20 games left in the season, but have seen performances dip in recent weeks – leading to serious questions being asked of their intentions for the trade deadline.

Goaltending has been a hot topic in Toronto for some time now, with Jack Campbell and Petr Mrázek, who was placed on waivers today, struggling to perform at the level expected of them – prior to Campbell suffering an injury that has kept him sidelined since March 8th.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has been exploring options to bolster the team’s position in net, with a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks involving Marc-André Fleury and forward Brandon Hagel purported to have fallen through due to the excessive cost involved.

If the Leafs are unable to add a goaltender that could push to be the team’s starter, then bringing in a solid backup option that can provide some reliability and familiarity may be the route the team opts to take tomorrow.

Enter James Reimer.

Reimer is well-known to fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs after he began his professional career with the organization after being selected in the fourth round (99th overall) in the 2006 Draft, going on to make 207 appearances for the team between 2010 and 2016.

Reimer was a popular figure while on the Leafs and has been consistent throughout his career, posting save percentages in the mid .910s with the Leafs, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks.

This season alone for the Sharks, Reimer has a 2.82 Goals Against Average and a save percentage of .916 – higher than Campbell’s .914 and significantly higher than Mrázek’s .884.

The Leafs could be in the market to move Mrázek and his $3.8 million cap hit, and taking on Reimer would cost the team just $2.25 million for this year and next and there’s a strong possibility the Sharks would be interested in making a deal.

The Sharks aren’t competing for the playoffs this season and could look to cash in on Reimer while they still have time, with the Morweena, Manitoba native already 34 years old, and taking on a player such as Mrázek would give them an asset locked up for the next couple of years – potentially giving them a chance to make another deal further down the line.

If the cost is appropriate, bringing Reimer back to Toronto could be an ideal reunion that works for both parties, with the Leafs getting a reliable backup that could take on more starts while Campbell’s health is managed, giving the veteran goalie another shot at impressing in the post-season and overcoming the nightmares of 2013.