yup, that's always been my understanding too.

Which means the whole philosophy of this blog is wrong. It's Bernier that would LOVE a 1 yr deal (or arb award) b/c he'll get to UFAgency quicker. The Leafs are playing with fire if they don't get him locked up for 2-3 years. I'm guessing that the G'tending and Defence look better this year under Babcock and our new whipping boys will be the offence. Bernier's set up pretty good.
- The Law

seems like at Bernier's age and with his experience now, the Leafs should know what he is and whether they want to commit or not. poop or get off the pot time with that guy.

seems like at Bernier's age and with his experience now, the Leafs should know what he is and whether they want to commit or not. poop or get off the pot time with that guy.
- DoubleDown

Trade anyone that brings back futures, there is no reason to keep him or anyone else that isn't meant for 5 years from now. Plus, the idea that another goalie couldn't be had within those years and that Bernier will absolutely be better than that option is baseless....

Colby Armstrong nose alot
- poohcrumbs

- Landsbergfan

It was his vision that always impressed me.

Who cares what Ron Wilson has to say. He doesn't even have a job

seems like at Bernier's age and with his experience now, the Leafs should know what he is and whether they want to commit or not. poop or get off the pot time with that guy.
- DoubleDown

Like Ottawa did with Ben Bishop?

Like Ottawa did with Ben Bishop?
- mykokes

Ottawa doesn't need to worry, they're becoming a goalie factory.
Anderson (found his groove there)
Bishop
Lehner
Hammond

OK, according to my googling:

Leafs elected to go to arbitration with Bernier:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ffman-del-zotto-chiasson/

If it's club-elected arbitration, player gets to decide 1 or 2 year:

http://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/538417

I can't possibly imagine Bernier electing to go to 2-year (if, indeed, he becomes a UFA at the end of this year).

Seems to me he goes UFA and flies the coop after this year - what goalie at his age wants to hang around for a complete rebuild?

Don't make any long-term investments in a Bernier jersey.
- Atomic Wedgie

that's if it goes to arbitration though... his date isn't till July 31st. Could easily get a contract done before then. Most teams usually do.

Ottawa doesn't need to worry, they're becoming a goalie factory.
Anderson (found his groove there)
Bishop
Lehner
Hammond
- ILoveLamp

Bit early to anoint him, no? James Reimer 2.0?

Bernier is not the problem. Keep em, he will return to two years ago form in no time.

seems like at Bernier's age and with his experience now, the Leafs should know what he is and whether they want to commit or not. poop or get off the pot time with that guy.
- DoubleDown

A year ago he certainly looked the part. So, I guess it depends on what mngmnt read into his wonky year last year. He had pretty good numbers through December but then poop the bed like everybody else. Still some question marks but I imagine they have a good read on his potential.

I'm sure they've been making offers back n forth and we'll hear more on July 30/31.

Bit early to anoint him, no? James Reimer 2.0?
- WingmanWillie

No one wants him just like no one wants Reimer.

Like Ottawa did with Ben Bishop?
- mykokes

Bishop didn't play a whole lot in Ottawa. it's not the same situation. Bernier has been the starter in Toronto for 2 years.

I know I may be in the minority here but I absolutely think Bernier is a great goalie, and I really hope sometime in the next 2 weeks I see on Twitter we've signed him to a 3 or 4 year deal at about 4.5m a year, give or take a few hundred thousand.

Ottawa doesn't need to worry, they're becoming a goalie factory.
Anderson (found his groove there)
Bishop
Lehner
Hammond
- ILoveLamp

oh i think Ottawa absolutely has to worry about goaltending. Anderson is wildly inconsistent and starting to get up there in age. Hammond... ya good luck with that guy. they better hope that college kid works out.

I know I may be in the minority here but I absolutely think Bernier is a great goalie, and I really hope sometime in the next 2 weeks I see on Twitter we've signed him to a 3 or 4 year deal at about 4.5m a year, give or take a few hundred thousand.
- mcleafs

Oh boy now ya got it done...


Agreed

Bishop didn't play a whole lot in Ottawa. it's not the same situation. Bernier has been the starter in Toronto for 2 years.
- DoubleDown

yup, and he had .912 sv% and 2.87 GAA in what everyone here is calling a bad year for him. Those are not bad numbers.
They aren't great numbers, but if that's his worst season as a Leaf, everyone here will be very happy.

but given the state of the rebuild, doesn't make much sense to commit long term to a guy who has only proven to be a "good" starter, rather than a very good or great starter.

oh i think Ottawa absolutely has to worry about goaltending. Anderson is wildly inconsistent and starting to get up there in age. Hammond... ya good luck with that guy. they better hope that college kid works out.
- DoubleDown

Yup. Anderson needs to be good because Hammond hasn't proved poop

I know I may be in the minority here but I absolutely think Bernier is a great goalie, and I really hope sometime in the next 2 weeks I see on Twitter we've signed him to a 3 or 4 year deal at about 4.5m a year, give or take a few hundred thousand.
- mcleafs

You and me both. He's a great goalie who got bad mouthed for all the wrong reasons. You know how Kessel's production was dampened by having Blozak at center-but Bernier is solely responsible for losses despite that awesome Leafs defense. Funny how it works.

Bernier is not the problem. Keep em, he will return to two years ago form in no time.
- iTOLDu

So he'll get the most run support in the league, never play more than 4 in a row, steal zero games and never have to play a single second of a back to back.... Sounds like an awesome starting goalie....

So he'll get the most run support in the league, never play more than 4 in a row, steal zero games and never have to play a single second of a back to back.... Sounds like an awesome starting goalie....
- aminnes

2 years ago he stole 8 games from memory maybe more if I go back and watch. Same poop defense but carried a 2.68GAA and 9.23sv %. Yep he's a goalie I'd want.

You and me both. He's a great goalie who got bad mouthed for all the wrong reasons. You know how Kessel's production was dampened by having Blozak at center-but Bernier is solely responsible for losses despite that awesome Leafs defense. Funny how it works.
- iTOLDu

Even you have to admit as a fan of his,,,,, he does let in a lot of bad goals. Seems like he is not paying attention at times.

Even you have to admit as a fan of his,,,,, he does let in a lot of bad goals. Seems like he is not paying attention at times.
- bixll

Last year he had some stinkers-that's for sure. Not many the year prior. Despite the stinker his numbers still weren't that bad. He also had a kid last season, I'm more than willing to see if he has a bounce back year.

Remember that time the leafs traded Clarkson...




Good stuff

Remember that time the leafs traded Clarkson...




Good stuff
- Fruitcakenipple

Still in shock..