"Between now and July 5th you likely will see more
moves," Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis said after picking up goalie
Jonathan Bernier
The first significant move made this off-season occurred on
Sunday, as the Leafs acquired Bernier for goalie Ben Scrivens, forward Matt
Frattin and a 2nd round pick in 2014 of 2015.
Bernier has played only 62 games in his NHL career over
the course of 5 seasons. He was a 1st round pick and a few years ago
was named the American Hockey League goalie of the year.
The 24 year-old Bernier will come into camp as the number
1 goalie. What does that mean for 25 year-old James Reimer?
“When
I talked to Jonathan, I told him the same thing I passed along to Reims,” Nonis
said early Sunday evening, in a conference call with reporters. “Which is
‘nothing is being guaranteed to anybody.’ “This is a situation where we feel
that we’re deeper [in goal]. Both have great potential and they’re going to get
an opportunity to develop and hopefully realize that potential.”
This
is a deal that has been brewing for a while.
“We
had talked on and off again for months,” Nonis said. “Most of this deal was in
place months ago. We just had to find a time that was right for both sides.”
“This
shouldn’t be looked as a knock on James at all because it’s not,” Nonis said of
adding another netminder. “I believe that when you have someone pushing you,
you get the most out of yourself. And I think that’s the situation here where
these guys can push each other and we’re going to see some good goaltending
because of it.”
By dealing Frattin the door has been opened for the likes
of prospects Joe Colborne, Josh Leivo and Tyler Biggs. Can they make the step
next season?
With Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur unrestricted free
agents, Toronto’s forward unit could have a vastly different look next season.
With the salary cap dropping from $70.2 M to $64.3 M this
upcoming season, Bozak and MacArthur may have to accept less money than free
agents in their situations in past years.
That’s the challenge facing Nonis and all GM’s. “I can’t stress this enough: The cap is coming down,” Nonis said. “It’s the first time in history that it’s come down, and we have to make sure we’re spending our money wisely.
“Not to just retain all the players you have but be in a position where you can try to get a different piece or two. We have to make sure if we’re spending a significant amount of money and term on players that they line up [with what we want to spend] and that it makes sense for us.”
So what’s next for Nonis and the Leafs?
Expect them to use a compliance buy- out on Mike
Komisarek and that will save them $3.75 M.
Once they do that, the Leafs will have 11 players under
contract at $43.5 M.
Bernier, Nazem Kadri, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson
are restricted free agents and will likely see slight pay hikes from last year.
The Leafs will look to upgrade their defence and centre
positions (just like all teams) and may be willing to make Dion Phaneuf as part
of the package to do just that.
They may look to deal Mikhail Grabovski in an effort to
shed some salary.
John-Michael Liles and his long-term contract could be a
buy-out possibility as well.
The draft is a week away and you get the feeling Nonis
will be busy before, during and after the draft.
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