"The Toronto Maple Leafs have an uncertain situation in the crease. That's hardly news. Anyone following the team has been able to see just how messy the goaltending status has been. At the outset of the season, the Maple Leafs brought in veteran goalie James Reimer to provide some depth. The move was due to Joseph's Woll personal leave. Reimer, unfortunately, did not make the team. A disastrous pre-season start against the Detroit Red Wings pretty much sealed Reimer's future. Reimer and the Maple Leafs parted ways before the start of the season. But according to the Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the two sides have kept in touch since then."
"In a December 8 piece, Pagnotta described how Reimer has been staying in shape, waiting patiently for the phone to ring. One of the teams the 37-year-old netminer has been holding his breath for is Toronto. Pagnotta expounded on the point by stating: "Veteran goaltender James Reimer is keeping in game shape, should an NHL opportunity arise. The free agent has kept in touch with the Toronto Maple Leafs since being released from his PTO in October, but the two sides have not spoken recently." The lack of communication could be due to the return of Woll and the emergence of Dennis Hildeby. Hildeby was sensational on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, earning his first career NHL shoutout."
"Be that as it may, the Maple Leafs are hardly out of the woods goaltending-wise. Anthony Stolarz is nowhere near returning to the ice. Meanwhile, Woll could be back sooner rather than later. If that's the case, the Leafs ought to roll with a Woll-Hildeby tandem. But where does that leave the Maple Leafs' organizational depth? That's a question that may need a deeper answer."
The Maple Leafs entered the season with a precarious crease situation and added veteran James Reimer for depth during Joseph Woll's personal leave. Reimer failed to secure a roster spot after a poor pre-season outing and parted ways with the club, though contact has continued intermittently. Reimer has kept in game shape and remains available for NHL opportunities. Dennis Hildeby has emerged strongly, recording his first NHL shutout, while Anthony Stolarz remains sidelined. If Woll returns soon, a Woll-Hildeby tandem becomes likely, raising questions about organizational depth if injuries persist.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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