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Title - Tim Cornett, Whatnot
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Leafs Looming Crease Battle
By Tim Cornett
Hometown Hockey

Leafs Looming Crease Battle
The recent acquisition of goaltender Jonathan Bernier by the Toronto Maple Leafs has raised some eyebrows. Especially in the James Reimer camp. In a recent column by Mike Zeisberger of the QMI Agency, Reimer was quoted as saying “It makes you feel a bit doubted as a goalie.” And while you have to feel for Reimer, in the same column, Leafs GM Dave Nonis said that the move “is not a knock on James.”
PHOTO CREDIT - NHL.com

Windsor - June 27, 2013 - The recent acquisition of goaltender Jonathan Bernier by the Toronto Maple Leafs has raised some eyebrows. Especially in the James Reimer camp. In a recent column by Mike Zeisberger of the QMI Agency, Reimer was quoted as saying “It makes you feel a bit doubted as a goalie.” And while you have to feel for Reimer, in the same column, Leafs GM Dave Nonis said that the move “is not a knock on James.”

It is no secret that the Leafs have been looking to strengthen themselves in goal, and there was a lot of talk about bringing in a veteran goal to mentor Reimer. Names like Roberto Luongo and Ryan Miller were bandied about at the trade deadline, but Nonis couldn’t find a suitable dance partner to make a deal. By trading for Bernier, you can’t blame Reimer for being a little puzzled, because Bernier is several months younger than him. Nonis is of the opinion that the two will push each other for the number one position.

Like a lot of fans in Leaf Nation, I was also surprised by the move. Then I got to thinking, what’s wrong with 1A and 1B? Both guys have similar numbers, and each has a contract that fits the salary cap quite nicely. Reimer is in the last season of a three year deal paying 1.8 million, while Bernier’s 1.25 million means the Leafs have two solid goalies for a little over 3 million. When you compare that to the Vancouver fiasco with Luongo and Corey Schneider (nearly 10 million combined), maybe Nonis has the right idea. What’s wrong with two goalies sharing the load? If you think back to the original six era, they did it then. In Boston it was Cheevers and Johnston, New York had Giacomin and Villemure, Montreal had Worsley and Vachon, in Detroit it was Crozier and Edwards, Chicago went with Hall and Dejordy, while the Leafs had Bower and Sawchuk. It worked then, why not now? No one suffers burn out, and when the playoffs start you have two rested, ready-to-go goalies.

Many will disagree with me, but in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, and I am one Leafs fan who is really looking forward to the upcoming season.

TC out

Follow Me on TwitterTim Cornett is a lifelong resident of Windsor and a diehard fan of the Windsor Spitfires, Toronto Maple Leafs, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Pittsburgh Steelers, and just to be different, Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles - ('hey, if my father-in-law can have two favourite hockey teams, I can have two favourite baseball teams!') Tim is a photographer by profession, with a love of writing. 'Whatnot' pays homage to his late father Jim's long running Windsor Star column 'Who, When and Whatnot.' If you have questions or wish to contact the biggest Doobie Brothers fan in Essex County, you can email him at tcornett@ourhometown.ca








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