Toronto Maple Leafs: James Reimer’s Big Rebound

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer looks like a new man, well, almost.

He’s eerily similar to the Reimer that took the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs in 2012-2013. That’s the season where he finished the season with a .924 save percentage and a 2.46 GAA ( his NHL career high). Right now, Reimer is sitting at .925, 2.30 GAA. – which is actually just slightly better than the “Old Reimer.”

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Reimer looks like he’s back, and he finally has the fight and confidence in him to try and prove that he deserves to be in control of the Leafs cage once again. With Bernier back from injury now it’s going to be quite the uphill battle both are thirsty to be #1 on the team that’s rebuilding under the Leafs management.

In the last 6 games Reimer numbers have increased steadily in quite an impressive manner from, .909, .917, .935, .947, .955, .956,  if they got any higher these numbers would be near perfect.  Right now the league average for a goaltender’s save percentage is sitting at .915.

Needless to say, Reimer is on a run. Jonathan Bernier got the start against the Rangers on Sunday on game two of the back to back, but it’s nothing for Reimer, or fans, to be upset about. Reimer definitely earned and deserved some rest after taking the Leafs on their first three game win streak since December 2014, which was just slightly before the infamous “collapse” and scoring drought under Carlyle occurred last season.

You can’t deny it, it feels nice to win – even if this is supposed to be the season that we are supposed “embrace the tank.”

In the game against Vancouver on Saturday Reimer turned away 43 of 45 shots. This was Reimer 14th franchise win when facing 40 shots or more. If there is one thing Reimer seems to be good at is being challenged. Reimer seems to play better when he’s facing more action. Isn’t this the kind of goaltender the Leafs need between the pipes? The Leafs are known for giving up a lot of shots on goal, why not have the goaltender who’s confident and ready to face them?

Reimer is rebounding but it’s not the kind of rebound that people like to complain about. Yes, he still gives up some of those juicy ones, too, but Reimer is playing with a confidence that we have not seen since his starting job was stripped of him when Bernier was brought in to town at the beginning of the 2013 season.

Reimer is still relatively young for a goaltender, Reimer and Bernier are both 27, Reimer being about 5 months older. Goaltenders tend to peak around 30. As this is a rebuild and we are looking at about 3 years from the timeline we were given by Babock does Reimer potentially have a future with the team? If management decides that he does it’s going to turn into one messy situation. Bernier is earning $4.15M per for two years; what will Reimer be worth after this season? Will they be able afford him? If he continues to play the way he’s been playing, he will more than likely ask for more than what Bernier was given over the summer after a less than stellar season.

There are other factors at play as well, namely, is Bernier’s contract even movable if they want to go that route?  What’s going to happen with the two young, eager goalies waiting for the call up to “the show” from the Toronto Marlies? Aren’t they waiting for Reimer’s contract to expire for a chance? Currently the market for goaltenders is oversaturated.

It’s still very early but has Toronto’s goaltending situation started to get complicated? Has Reimers performance shifted set out plans? Will management move Reimer while he’s hot and get a key piece for up front for him?  Or will the Leafs end up resigning Reimer before he becomes a free agent?

Let’s not get ahead of out selves. Nobody knows what will happen, at least Maple Leafs hockey is becoming exciting to watch again. You can’t deny it, it feels nice to win – even if this is supposed to be the season that we are supposed “embrace the tank.”  Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Just enjoy the slight glimmer of the promise of a brighter future.

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At the end of the day Reimer is stopping pucks. He might not look the prettiest, or be the most graceful, but he’s effective. What more can you ask of a goaltender? Not every goalie is as controlled and as calm as Carey Price. Every goaltender has their own style and, well, Reimer’s is Reimer’s.