The Goaltending Question
The Toronto Maple Leafs have major question marks in goal.
Jonathan Bernier is the biggest one. Will Bernier make it through his final year of his current contract? What if he plays well, is his reputation salvageable?
Someone inside Bernier there is a legitimate starting NHL goaltender. The problem is he’s been a hard man to find over the last 365 days. If he shows up, does he get another chance? A one year deal even?
What about the Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, Garret Sparks and Antoine Bibeau? Sparks doesn’t have a contract right now and Bibeau is under for another year. Both floundered late in the season, in the NHL and the AHL.
There are good backup options available in free agency this year, with Jhonas Enroth heading the bunch, so Toronto should be able to let Sparks and Bibeau regain their confidence in the AHL this year and go from there.
There are no starting goaltenders worth bringing to Toronto in free agency, not even James Reimer, that will be the long-term answer for the Leafs.
The goaltending situation is going to be a watch and shoot scenario, whether that means wait for a trade to show its face or search through the Euro ranks for the next big thing.
With another year of expected pain, this is a question that doesn’t have to be answered right away.
Next: Will Mitch Marner Make The Team?