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The 2013-14 Toronto Maple Leafs – Where Are They Now?

By Alex Hobson

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 20: Phil Kessel (L) and Dion Phaneuf talk at Maple Leafs practice at the Mastercard Centre. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 20: Phil Kessel (L) and Dion Phaneuf talk at Maple Leafs practice at the Mastercard Centre. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 08: Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings reacts to a shot against the New York Islanders during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on December 8, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Islanders defeated the Red Wings 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 08: Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings reacts to a shot against the New York Islanders during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on December 8, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The Islanders defeated the Red Wings 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jonathan Bernier

Ah, anybody remember the old goalie debate? You know, the same one that divided a fanbase more than politics divide your extended family at the Christmas dinner table. Anyways, fans were thrown off after Bernier was acquired from the L.A. Kings at the end of the 2013 season, after James Reimer guided the team to the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

The goalies would go back and forth, and while Bernier was statistically better than Reimer in the three seasons they were on the team together, this was well overshadowed by the monstrous season Bernier had in 2015-16. He was traded to Anaheim after that season and after a stint with the Colorado Avalanche, Bernier currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings.

James Reimer

Everybody loved James Reimer. Everyone loved his nice smile, the calm way he handled himself to the media, the way he pointed at the sky after every win. There was nothing to dislike about him.

So you can imagine the outcry from a good half of the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase when he had his full-time starting job stripped of him. He had his highs, such as his debut against the Ottawa Senators where the Leafs put together a 5-1 win, and his lows, where him and his wife faced death threats close to the end of the 2013-14 season when he was between the pipes for eight losses that would put the Leafs out of a playoff spot.

Regardless of how everybody felt about Reimer, he simply had to get out of Toronto. He was dealt at the 2016 Trade Deadline to the San Jose Sharks, and has since signed with Florida Panthers as their backup goalie.

(Just because I know some fans will torch me for saying Bernier was statistically better when they shared the net, here are their stats between 2013-2016.

BERNIER: 59-68-17, 2.82 GAA, .914 SV%
REIMER: 32-44-9, 2.97 GAA, .912 SV%

(Anyways, let’s move on)

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