The Big Free Agent The Leafs Must Chase

James Reimer has had a terrific little run. He stepped into the breach when the Leafs needed somebody - anybody - who could stop the puck with consistency, and turned the club from a team wallowing in the depths of the Eastern Conference into a squad that has at least been able to make the final weeks of the season interesting.

It's clear Reimer has a chance to be a good NHL goalie, or maybe more. 

But it's also clear, as the soft goals have accumulated in recent games, that he isn't there yet.

That's why the unrestricted free agent the Leafs must chase this summer isn't Brad Richards.

It's Ilya Bryzgalov, the outstanding netminder of the Phoenix Coyotes. Also a fellow, you may remember, who owes Brian Burke a favour.

Again, this isn't dumping on Reimer, or giving up on him. He's a kid who is still learning how to be a No. 1 netminder in the NHL. But that second goal against the Flyers last night was a killer, as was the first goal against Chicago on Saturday, and while there are any number of Leaf skaters who contributed to those defeats, you simply cannot win on a regular basis in the NHL with anything short of airtight goaltending.

The kind Bryzgalov that gives the Phoenix Coyotes. He shut out Calgary last night, his 20th shutout in four seasons with the club, and is again the top reason while the league-owned Coyotes are running so high in the Western Conference.

Reimer may develop into a top NHL goalie, but Bryzgalov already is, and just as the Leafs went out and signed Curtis Joseph as a free agent in 1998 to turn around a non-playoff team, now is the time to spend the dough on the 30-year-old Bryzgalov ($6 million per?) and give the club top-flight, reliable goaltending it desperately requires to move forward next season.

There is simply no way the Leafs can go into next fall uncertain about their goalkeeping again, unsure whether Reimer, Jonas Gustavsson, Ben Scrivens, Jussi Rynnas or some other masked man can be the team's starter.

Next season it's playoffs or bust for Burke's team, or at the very least the team must be taken seriously as a contender for a post-season berth from October on, not just with a late-season flurry. They'll need to have quality netminding in October, not February.

Bryzgalov was the backup for Burke in Anaheim when, after being unable to find a trading partner, Burke put Bryzgalov on waivers partway through the 2007-08 season in order to give him a chance to be an NHL starter. Phoenix claimed him, and from that day forward the 'Yotes were a better hockey club.

Maybe Bryzgalov will remember Burke as a man of his word and be inclined to repay the favour by signing in Toronto. He has a terrific, outgoing personality that would play brilliantly in the GTA, far better than the more reserved personas of team stalwarts like Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel.

There may be other UFA goalies out there in July, including Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson, but Bryzgalov is clearly the cream of the crop. With the Phoenix ownership situation a disaster and the future of the franchise cloudy, it seems unlikely the Coyotes would be able to tie up Bryzgalov before he gets a peek at free agency and a chance to improve on his current $4.25 million paycheque.

Sure Richards would help the team's offence and give Kessel a playmate. But Bryzgalov is a difference maker, a perfect fit for a young, developing team. Other big market teams may have interest, but the Rangers have Henrik Lundqvist, Vancouver has Roberto Luongo, Philly has no cap room, Detroit has Jimmy Howard, San Jose has committed to Antti Niemi, Montreal has Carey Price and Chicago looks set to run with Corey Crawford.

For the Leafs, Bryzgalov is what Reimer may one day become, but isn't yet. And really, may never become. You just don't know. And after years of not knowing about their goaltending, for the Leafs enough is enough.

Now go bag the elephant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Wade]

I'm 100% with you on this one, Damien. I've been wondering for a while now why there hasn't been more talk of landing a goalie in the near future. People think Philly set the example by going deep with a #2 or, charitably, a "1A" goalie, but that was an exception (I wouldn't use the Chicago example because Niemi was clearly a #1 goalie who finally got a chance last year). Riemer and Rynnas may be starters some day, Gustavsson, perhaps, but none are really ready yet.

[JWN]

I agree Bryzgalov should be at the top of the Leaf's free agent priority list.

Why wait for lightning to strike when you can bottle some on July 1 for 6 or 7 million in cap space.

If we get him we are on par with the Buffalo Sabres... there would still be plenty of work to be done to become a contender but a vital building block would be in place.

Drafting and developing goaltenders is a risky proposition and it seems guys emerge from the later rounds or undrafted ranks (Cujo and Belfour were never drafted by NHL teams)to become legitimate NHL #1's just as often as early first picks do.

It is for this reason that when faced with difficult cap decisions top NHL teams have been retaining offensive skill and allowing goaltending talent, unless undeniably top shelf, to depart.

[Ryan]

Agree 100%...any chance Burke would be willing to throw money at both Bryzgalov and Richards?

[Matt D]

Good call Damien. Then all we'll need is an offensive defenceman, a center and a power forward and we'll be set.....crap

[fishypete]

Absolutely agree 100 per cent! Finally I agree with you. :) Good call on this one.

[Gary]

awe didn't take long for the Toronto media to turn on Reimer due to the fact he plays in front of a bunch of dummies!!

[E. Phillion]

It's pretty clear Richards will be resigned in Dallas where he could take a discount and still break even versus other teams offers. As Bryzgalov seems like a reliable option for 60+ games, giving Reimer 15-20 starts sounds reasonable. It would almost mirror Vancouver's situation with two solid netminders with clearly defined roles-something Detroit, Chicago and San Jose don't have. But as far as help up front goes, there's one name never mentioned (maybe because of his pending RFA status- Zach Parise. New Jersey can't afford him. Given their soon to be record comeback, trading him for a package they can afford sounds probable. What are your thoughts Burke would pursue a deal like this? Avoiding the offer sheet option (alas K.Lowe) and trading picks like he did for Kessel.

[J-Rock]

$6 million? are you nuts? Goalies aren't worth what they used to be. Even Luongo would have a tough time resigning at $6 million. Bryzgalov will be lucky to get $4.

[Brent Kay]

Typical Toronto writer.... Burke is building for the future and you want him to sign a 30 year old goalie? It's not playoffs or bust next year because we have our own first round draft pick. This team may not be a playoff contender but with the two first rounder draft picks in the upcoming draft plus the young talent in the minor/juniors they are more than well on their way to becoming more like Detroit than people think. Sign Stephane Da Costa and Andy Meile draft Jamie Olesniak and Boone Jenner first round and look at the organization then, very deep with player playing pro and junior hockey, add to that another top 10 pick next year and they will be even deeper. Whose to say Tyler Bozak won't turn it around next year? NCAA player tend too take 2 or 3 year to hit their potential, and if he doesn't then we get a good first round pick next year and are that much closer to the Detroit status. Patience is key to the Stanley Cup

[BKS]

Breezy in a leafs uniform?? I'd LOVE to see that!

[Arthur]

Reimer just needs a damn break. They are riding the kid in the vain hopes he will get them to the promised land, in his rookie season, climbing the steepest side of Everest. Give the kid a game or two off.

[The J]

I like Ryan's question. Could the Leafs afford both players?

[Jeff]

Shhhhhhh! You had to mention the obvious Damien! We agree with you, great teams (contenders) are built from the net out. Now everybody knows that Ilya is a nice target for July 1st and the price will go up, durn it Damien.

[jimmy]

I agree. I have been saying all along that the Leafs - who have Kadri - should not go after Richards, who has maybe one or two years of top flight play left in him. Whoever signs Richards will get a 2 good years and then pay 7 million per for 4 70 point seasons.

Richards is good. Brysgalov would be great.

[prize maple]

I really fail to see how the Leafs, as thin on forward talent as they are, are in dire need of a goaltender. Do you really think Damien, that Tyler Bozak is the answer long-term for the first line center position? Every top team in the NHL has at least one and sometimes two top lines of forwards who can really go out and do damage night after night. A goalie can only do so much to stem the tide of hockey pucks flying at him from all directions. At some point the Leafs need to be a bit dangerous on offence as well. Don't forget that Bryzgalov currently plays for the Coyotes, which is a better team than the Leafs and is coached by Dave Tippet, who is terrific at getting his whole team playing a defensive system. If Bryzgalov played for the Leafs he may suddenly not look so good after all.

[BigM27]

Nonsense. The leafs have invested heavily in young goaltenders and need to develop them. The leafs are a long way from a championship team. Reimer is playing as well as Bryzgalov right now and the leafs still need a d-man and a centre.

Spending the 6 mill saved on JS Gigere's contract is not a good use of money given the young goalies in the system. Instead the money should be used to buy a d-man and forward. James Wisniewski of the Habs fills the puck moving PP d-man the team desperately needs and he fits B.Burkes mold of a young player who grows with the team.

The forward leafs need is character player Brooks Laich of the Caps who is only 28 and can grow with the team. He is physical player who gets 19 minutes of ice time with the Caps. Furthermore, he can play centre if Bozak-Colborne-Kadri can't fill the bill next season with Kessel/ Lupul. If one of the three fills the centre spot, Laich can move to the wing on the 2nd line with Kessel. Lupul can move to the third line with Armstrong.

These moves strengthen the team far more than Bryzgalov and allows the leafs to continue developing their young talent.

[steve]

we have needs for a puck-moving defenceman, a centre, and at least a couple more forwards. while bryzgalov would be nice, isn't goaltending an area of strength for the team? sure, reimer has let in some soft goals, but never any real demoralizing ones.

what defines being "ready'? coming into this season, crawford had played less than 10 nhl games and it was the same for howard with detroit...sure, they've played more in the minors, but it's not like they were dominant. reimer played well with the marlies last year and was very good again this year prior to his promotion...his numbers in 24 games in the nhl (2.54 gaa, .922 sv pct) are better than b-lov's (ok, so b-lov has played in 56 games). he's played well enough to earn a shot to be this team's starter. it's not like he's been playing all these games with no pressure. heck, he's the reason we're even in this so-called playoff race...do you really think he needs to prove himself in the minors? working with francois allaire will only make reimer an even better goalie.

imo, i'd rather see the team address other areas of weakness before trying to upgrade the goaltending situation. i think we are solid there enough already...

[Paul W]

the Vetran goalie factor is what l like the most about this Bryzgalov move.Reimer seems to have the right stuff but young goalies tend to get eaten alive in the TO market.

[Jeff]

I like the idea but see a few problems.

-The leafs dont play a defensive game. Boston, NJ, MInnisota, Montreal have alwyas made goalies look better than they are due to trapping and deffensive play. As soon as they trade the goalie to an offensive minded team he becomes average. Nashville is another perfect example.

Plus, why spend the money now whne the leafs clealry arent ready. LEt them build together. When the young players are ready to contend(if), Reimer will be ready to contend. If not, get a goalie then/

[Al Cleverdon]

To those opposing the signing of Bryzgalov kudos to you all.Your reasoning makes far more sense than Damien's.I wouldn't sign a goalie for 6 mil with a developing team and it would merely replace Giguere's salary which we are glad to get out from under.I wouldn't sign Richards either to more than 3 years and I doubt he would sign for less than 5 years...As has been stated...patience is the key here.

[TeemuTime]

Disagree with you on this Damien. First off, I agree the first Chicago goal last Saturday was killer but I would not call it soft at all. Gunnarsson serves it to Mr.Hossa on a silver platter and he shoots hard through the screen of Luke Schenn. Sure maybe have that five hole covered but still no way you blame that on Reimer. I agree air-tight goaltending is key, especially for a Leaf team that gives up way too many quality scoring chances. But I definitely think the Leafs should not go out and try and get the best free agent goalie out there. The way Bryz has played this past season and even more so last season, he'll fetch a handsome sum. If Burke can maybe sign him for a bit less because of the "favour" then sure, but don't sign him more then 2 years IMO. We currently have 4 goaltending prospects who all have NHL potential. Sure they're all limited in their NHL action so far so yes, go out and sign some mid level insurance to a 1 or 2 year contract. Maybe go for Craig Anderson (though I can't imagine Ottawa not re-signing him given the way he's played for em) or Vokoun though Vokoun will likely also be looking for $/term that is too high.

[commonsensei]

Bryzgalov is certainly a horse that the Leafs could ride to the playoffs. Add to the current mix another decent centre and a puck-moving defenceman who isn't afraid to get get his hands dirty in his own end, and you might have a decent shot at the second round. However, if this town wants a Cup, the Leafs will need to build through high draft picks, and unless they tank next season (and hold onto their #1 pick), it will be another missed opportunity to build a championship team. Be patient Leafs Nation !

[JK]

If we had the benefit of Reimer's goaltending numbers from day one of the season, we'd easily be in a play-off position. We're only 6 points out notwithstanding the less than stellar performances by Gus and Giguere. I'd opt to fill some of the other glaring needs with players under 30 and go with Reimer as the starter backed up by one of our other three young goalies.

[Spanky]

Coxy your killing me, just when the team is starting to turn the corner with youth, prospects in the cupboard and money in the cap bank you arm chair GM this to recommend scuttling what could be a solid rebuild for the long haul by advocating buying this goalie. Could be another Toskala just wait and see. And, if the Leafs actually do this I will hound your every post when you start slagging this Leaf/Bryzgalov deal when he fails to produce for the $'s paid. Keep developing your stable of kid goalies Reimer, Gustafson, Rynnas and Scrivens. They will mature in time (2-3 yrs) for this young team to grow and really contend.

[Matt B]

There is merit to signing and not signing Bryz. Maybe his good goaltending could inflate the value of those in front of him and thus throw off the developing young talent by making them look good. Or maybe he is good for a 50/30 split with Reimer for 2 years. If you do sign him for a 4 years, maybe Rynnas and Gustavsson become trade bait for a forward.

But my priorities would be:
1. Brooks Laich (centre with size, would create room for Kessel)
2. $4-million (tops) on puck moving D-man (Wisniewski, Brewer, Erhoff)
3. Veteran goalie to split 41/41 with Reimer (maybe Gigeure at $2.5 mil)
4. Find a winger in a reclamation project like MacArthur (Upshall, or Lupul may already fit that bill)