The Toronto Maple Leafs should consider adding some goaltending depth, and signing veteran goaltender James Reimer could be the play.
The former Leaf is the most experienced goalie left on a very thin free-agent market, and considering the history of health concerns that Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz have gone through, it would be very wise of general manager Brad Treliving to bring in an experienced veteran as Toronto’s number three.
The Maple Leafs used four goalies last regular season, including Matt Murray, who Reimer could essentially replace the role of. At 37 years old, and coming off an average season, Reimer has yet to sign a contract this summer, and could be destined to finish off his career on either a league minimum contract, or one that would be even better for Treliving and the Leafs, a two-way deal. Reimer could give the Leafs a veteran security blanket, and a mentor for their young netminders with the Marlies, and with Stolarz and Woll having troubles staying healthy throughout their careers, Reimer would very likely get into a handful of NHL games next season.
This set up for both sides could work for a number of reasons. Reimer is very familiar with Toronto, him and his wife made huge impacts in the community when they were here for parts of eight seasons so there could be an appetite to return, and his role would be clearly defined from the moment the contract is signed. You’re our number three, and if someone goes down, be ready to step in.
The journeyman goaltender spent last season split between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks. He went a combined 10-10-2 with a very respectable 2.85 goals against average in 22 appearances with the Sabres. Reimer’s been on some very bad teams the last quarter of his career, so it’s hard to put proper stock in his numbers. At 37 years old, there’s going to be questions about his game, but that doesn’t mean he’d be more than capable if called upon on a very strong Maple Leafs roster. Toronto’s paid much better attention to defence with Craig Berube behind the bench, so it would likely be a breath of fresh air for Reimer to be back in Toronto, and playing for an organization trying to win a Stanley Cup, instead of rebuilding with youth like he’s seen in Anaheim, Buffalo, and San Jose the past four seasons.
When it comes to organizational depth, after Woll and Stolarz, the Maple Leafs have restricted free agent Dennis Hildeby, 23, Artur Akhtyamov, 23, and Vyacheslav Peksa, 23. A couple of trade chips perhaps? There’s certainly potential that Treliving could package one of his goaltending prospects for a top-six forward, and if Reimer was included within the mix, it would be a much easier pill to swallow for next season, as he would be able to carry the load with the Marlies, or at least split the action down the middle.
There’s two main factors to consider when it comes to this relationship. Is Reimer interested in being the clear-cut number three, with an outlook at being the AHL mentor, and NHL security blanket in case of injury, and – are the Maple Leafs looking to add a veteran to the depth in their crease, much like we’ve seen with Murray and Martin Jones being here the past few seasons.
If Treliving feels his young goaltenders could use some veteran presence, and wants some experienced insurance for Woll and Stolarz, he should strongly consider bringing Reimer back to the Maple Leafs organization.
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