Bernier's won a few games, but he's not really coming around. i have no hope for him.

i do hope riemer gets a lot of starts. i am interested to see how he plays in the 2nd half.
- Tumbleweed

Hang in, I think they'll share the net the rest of the year unless someone poops the bed

Frenchy I agree.

That's why I think Leafs should draft one, or scoop one up from a team that is struggling cap wise (or just has a starter locked in for many years to come) making a goalie expendable.

key is, BIG and agile.
- Lucas.Neilson

i wonder if the offer sheet route could yield the leafs a goalie.

on the higher end mrzak and andersen might be offer sheet candidates ... though i agree mzrak will probably be too expensive. maybe at $3.6M off sheet is enough to squeeze anaheim.

among others, pickard/campbell/kuemper will be lower cost rfa's, but higher risk. Offer sheets up to $1.8M may squeeze these teams if the leafs are high on any of these goalies.

if the leafs go with sparks (or another young goalie), howard may be the perfect tandem goalie for that. I wonder if a bernier for howard swap could happen. I think detroit would have to retain about a mil on it.

I'd rather the Leafs stick with Reimer. I think he's better than most of those options. A few options you proposed like Hellebuyck and Andersen intrigue me. I was thinking trying to get Matt Murray from Pittsburgh. Big goalie, looked amazing against the Leafs (I know... its the Leafs and they make everyone look good...)
- twiztedmike

Other options I think the Leafs should think about:
Talbot (underrated IMO)
Soderstrom (Islanders)

Hang in, I think they'll share the net the rest of the year unless someone poops the bed
- Garnie

I have a really hard time believe one of either goalies doesn't get traded.

I still say a 7'6" sumo wrestler, wedgie him into the net, with over sized gear on and tell him to stay still.

Perfect.
- bixll

unfortunately... doesn't work https://youtu.be/sP8ZVWiZUMA

I'll give you that, but previous he blew some cup chances for the team.
- Garnie

He single handedly lost multiple playoff series. Most Pens fans were against his extension, but at this point it's hard to argue with 2.5 seasons of results.

Value wise, Bernier > Reimer.

Trade the frenchie, grab a prospect or pick of some sort and ride Reims for another year or two. Do the same with other vets or players who can be replaced and draft strong.

That really should be the only "plan" for the Leafs over the next year.
- DamnBrasKiss

we have a very different view of value. bernier has negative value to me.

reimer can be traded for something, but i find the goalie market hard to gauge.

Question: does reimer test free agency and get a long-term contract from somebody?

People also need to be patient with goalies. Steve Mason and Carey Price are two of the only guys that were thrust into the starting role at 20/21/22 and both had huge stumbling blocks before becoming what they are now. Cory Schneider is arguably a top-5 goalie and he couldn't find a spot until he was 26. Goalies are tricky and take time. Vasilevsky is only 21 and people expect him to step in and dominate, which is absurd. That is almost impossible for a goalie at that age. "The future" is the hardest to predict with goalies.

My advice.

Draft a 6'4 random Finn and hope it works out!
- AdamFrench

Yes.

i wonder if the offer sheet route could yield the leafs a goalie.

on the higher end mrzak and andersen might be offer sheet candidates ... though i agree mzrak will probably be too expensive. maybe at $3.6M off sheet is enough to squeeze anaheim.

among others, pickard/campbell/kuemper will be lower cost rfa's, but higher risk. Offer sheets up to $1.8M may squeeze these teams if the leafs are high on any of these goalies.

if the leafs go with sparks (or another young goalie), howard may be the perfect tandem goalie for that. I wonder if a bernier for howard swap could happen. I think detroit would have to retain about a mil on it.
- Tumbleweed

The org. reeeeally shouldn't be focused on forcing moves to bring in a goalie. Keep drafting and developing. History isn't kind to the Leafs when they look at the greener pastures of other teams rather than just seeding and watering their own.

no Subban?

The org. reeeeally shouldn't be focused on forcing moves to bring in a goalie. Keep drafting and developing. History isn't kind to the Leafs when they look at the greener pastures of other teams rather than just seeding and watering their own.
- DamnBrasKiss

there are unexploited opportunities in the rfa market. i'm not advocating throwing a big contract at a player. that doesn't make sense or work.

the value in offer sheets is under $3.6M to me. squeezing a budget team or a team close to the cap on their backup or 3rd string goalie is where the opportunities in the rfa market are to me .

i trust this management team will exploit any undervalued opportunity at their disposal, including this one.

I have a really hard time believe one of either goalies doesn't get traded.
- DamnBrasKiss

For sure that's a possibility but not a definite...Burn posted an article that's says there is no interest in Bernier and Reims is just coming off injury. I think Sparks looks good but for a big guy he looks small in the net IMO.

If the Leafs traded Bernier and then Reims groin goes again.....they would be in trouble I think.

we have a very different view of value. bernier has negative value to me.

reimer can be traded for something, but i find the goalie market hard to gauge.

Question: does reimer test free agency and get a long-term contract from somebody?
- Tumbleweed

I get the feeling that people still see more potential for a starting tender in Bernier, whereas Reimer is questionable due to injury and structure. Bernier behind a solid team (could) look impressive.

we have a very different view of value. bernier has negative value to me.

reimer can be traded for something, but i find the goalie market hard to gauge.

Question: does reimer test free agency and get a long-term contract from somebody?
- Tumbleweed

I could see Winnipeg or Calgary signing him...but not for a lot or for long term

unfortunately... doesn't work https://youtu.be/sP8ZVWiZUMA
- MaximusAurelius

Did someone try it?

I have always wondered why you don't just suit up some huge guy and have him just cover most of the net.

no Subban?
- poohcrumbs

I have a feeling the Bruins will Schneider him with Rask being their Luongo.

He single handedly lost multiple playoff series. Most Pens fans were against his extension, but at this point it's hard to argue with 2.5 seasons of results.
- jfkst1

I remember those series...it was pretty bad.

He has been great this year for sure.....cuz you guys was sucking at the beginning

I get the feeling that people still see more potential for a starting tender in Bernier, whereas Reimer is questionable due to injury and structure. Bernier behind a solid team (could) look impressive.
- DamnBrasKiss

I don't get this. I've seen it posted before, but I don't know why. Reimer has not missed more games to injury than bernier.

For sure that's a possibility but not a definite...Burn posted an article that's says there is no interest in Bernier and Reims is just coming off injury. I think Sparks looks good but for a big guy he looks small in the net IMO.

If the Leafs traded Bernier and then Reims groin goes again.....they would be in trouble I think.
- Garnie

My impression of Sparks (only seen NHL games) is that he gives up way too many rebounds; he actually does not try to stop and hold the puck, but his style is to deflect virtually every shot he faces. He does a good job at it, by directing the deflections to the corners and not in front of the net, but it's too predictable I think and opposing FW will learn and count on the deflections for a 2nd shot.

unfortunately... doesn't work https://youtu.be/sP8ZVWiZUMA
- MaximusAurelius

Damn

Thing is - with respect to drafting goalies outside of a Carey Price type, you never know. You'll have that one kid you drafted 6 years ago who suddenly emerges and kills it, then disappears two years later. Not many goalies go on to have 5+ years of strong numbers unless they're playing behind a cup contending roster.

Number of Goalies: 565
Minimum Seasons: 1
Maximum Seasons: 21
Average Seasons: 5.32
Median Seasons : 3

http://www.quanthockey.co...utions/CareerLengthGP.php


The age of entry into the NHL remains around 23 years old and the age of starters is only slowly decreasing from an average of 30.1 in 2000-01 to an average of 28.6 in both 2013-14 and 2014-15. There are no more very young goaltenders entering the league than there were a decade ago.

...meaning, you don't typically find your starter until years later.
- DamnBrasKiss

All the more reason the leafs need to start restocking the cup board immediately.
And as I mentioned, possibly explore a trade to get a drafted Junior in the stable.
And perhaps look at taking a shot at another late bloomer. Monster didn't pan out, but there is history of all star goalies being found undrafted.

really the leafs need to be looking to find their allstar net minder to start the 17/18 season, not next year IMO.

Did someone try it?

I have always wondered why you don't just suit up some huge guy and have him just cover most of the net.
- Aetherial

Ben Bishop says Hi.

I could see Winnipeg or Calgary signing him...but not for a lot or for long term
- jimi james

As a history Tudor ??

New concept: With all of the draft picks and AHLers that the Leafs will pick up at the trade deadline, they pick up like a dozen goalies.

Sets up a new reality TV series a la Survivor/Big Brother where all the prospects live in a house and compete for the #1 starter position.

I don't get this. I've seen it posted before, but I don't know why. Reimer has not missed more games to injury than bernier.
- burn

Groins are tough hopefully he's back to normal now.