During Friday night’s Leafs/Wings broadcast it was pointed out that Leafs GM Dave Nonis was in Edmonton, leading to speculation that there may be some trade winds blowing. Could there be a play that involves James Reimer, Nail Yakupov and Martin Brodeur?

PHOTO CREDIT - TCP Collection

Windsor - October 18, 2014 - During Friday night’s Leafs/Wings broadcast it was pointed out that Leafs GM Dave Nonis was in Edmonton, leading to speculation that there may be some trade winds blowing. The Oilers are off to a terrible start and could use some help in goal. The Leafs have been mediocre at best, and could use some help up front.

As Monty Hall would say, “Let’s make a deal.”

The Leafs have not made it clear who their number one goalie is this season, and frankly I don’t think it will ever be clear. One week it’s Bernier, the next it’s Reimer. Since Reimer has had three starts in a row, one can’t help but wonder if he is being showcased. Reimer is a Manitoba kid, and has been through the ringer during his time in Toronto. He could use a change of scenery. The way I see it, Reimer goes to the Oilers and is reunited with his good friend Ben Scrivens, who has been struggling this season. As for the player in return, how about Nail Yakupov? He’s been in Edmonton’s doghouse since Day One, and could also use a fresh start.

A trade like this means the Leafs would need another goalie, and at the moment there’s a fella named Martin Brodeur who isn’t playing anywhere. I can’t think of a better mentor for Jonathan Bernier. Brodeur has made it clear that he will accept a back-up role, and he would clearly make the Leafs a better team just by being in the dressing room.

Gone would be the nagging number one goaltender issue, which has been nothing but a major distraction for the past two seasons.

Everyone in the centre of the hockey universe wins.

Unless Patrick Roy and the Avalanche get to Brodeur first.

TC out.
@spitspixtim

Photo source - Tim Cornett, HometownHockey.ca