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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Consider Trading James Reimer

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James Reimer Trade Toronto Maple Leafs 2014-15

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in their second full season of running with Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer as their goaltending duo, and it hasn’t gone to plan thus far. It’s obvious the organization wants Bernier to be the uncontested No. 1 option in net, so why are they holding on to James Reimer? It’s time the Toronto Maple Leafs trade Reimer.  

James Reimer’s most interesting year of his career was the 2012-13 NHL season. It was both his breakout year, and the year Leaf fans remember most, for all the wrong reasons. Reimer took the team to the playoffs, and brought them to game seven against the big-bad Boston Bruins. Then collapsed in the third period of the seventh game, ending the Leafs‘ first playoff appearance in seven seasons. His statistics during the 2013 post season include a 92.3 save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average. Decent numbers, but nothing crazy. Regardless, winning three games against a strong Bruins team in the playoffs is a positive for Reimer’s career resume.

Then Jonathan Bernier appeared on the scene.  In their first season together, Bernier had more starts, and through 18 games this season, Bernier again has more starts than Reimer. But it isn’t just the fact that Bernier is getting the majority of games, it’s the kind of games he’s getting from Randy Carlyle. Bernier has been tasked with playing teams such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, and twice the Boston Bruins. Reimer’s workload could be considered a bit lighter playing the Buffalo Sabres, Arizona Coyotes, and Colorado Avalanche amongst others. Reimer has been given the arguably “easier” games, which might not be a bad idea when considering trading him.

Giving Reimer a workload against less skilled teams should theoretically improve his statistics, an argument that can be used when trying to increase his value for trading. It can be assumed that if Bernier is getting the starts against more skilled teams, he will be the teams go-to if Toronto makes the playoffs, making him the top option in net.

James Reimer could be the benefactor of a fresh start with a new team. Both he and his wife have been the subject of Twitter attacks from people who call themselves “Leafs fans.”  Moving to an organization that isn’t under the microscope as much as Toronto could be what Reimer needs. Being committed to fully by a team may give him confidence, improving his play.

James Reimer has played 19 more games in his career than Bernier, and they have similar statistical numbers; there is no doubt in my mind the Reimer can be a starting goalie in the NHL and he has showed flashes of that potential in Toronto. The Leafs should trade Reimer to not only give him a fresh start but to help give the franchise an identity. They need to commit to one guy and run with him.

It’s tough to predict a possible trading companion for the Leafs and Reimer, as it seems as if every team has their goaltending situation figured out. The front runners could include trading him to the Edmonton Oilers in-return for Ben Scrivens or Viktor Fasth, plus more considering Reimer has a greater value than both of these goalies. Either way it is time for the Leafs to commit to one goaltender and move on from James Reimer since it is apparent they want Jonathan Bernier to be their guy.

Shaun Lavery is a Calgary Flames writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, or add him to your network on Google. 

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