
#1 James Reimer – A Return to the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Team: San Jose Sharks
Age: 34
SV%: .911
GAA: 2.90
Cap Hit: $2.25 Million (1 Year Left)
Contract: 5 Team No Trade List
How cool would it be to see “Optimus-Reim” back with the Toronto Maple Leafs! With the San Jose Sharks acquiring 25 year-old, Kaapo Kähkönen, from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline and having Adin Hill as backup, there is a good chance Reimer could be on the move.
Reimer comes with an affordable salary that would definitely fit the Toronto Maple Leafs budget even if they do re-sign Jack Campbell or bring in another free agent goalie.
Some may say that Reimer may not want to return to Toronto and the Leafs may be on his 5-team no-trade list because his wife received around 300 death treats on Twitter while Reimer was with the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2013.
Reimer did stay with the Leafs until 2016 though and hopefully the trauma has subsided after 10 years away from Toronto.
The most likely scenario is that the Toronto Maple Leafs will sign a UFA goaltender or two without giving up assets. Joseph Woll or Erik Kallgren could also end up in a backup role next season, but if the Toronto Maple Leafs trade for a goaltender, I’m hoping for the return of James Reimer.