Report: Bernier among Maple Leafs being shopped by Lamoriello
With the trade deadline just five weeks away, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello is busy working the phones with a number of players available for draft picks and young players - and not just rentals.
James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail reports Jonathan Bernier, who has one year remaining on his current contract, has been made available by the Maple Leafs despite fellow goalie James Reimer remaining unsigned heading into next season.
Bernier will be owed $4.15 million next season, which may seem like a steep price for a man who needed 12 starts to pick up his first win of the year, especially when there are only a few teams in need of an immediate upgrade between the pipes.
Reimer, meanwhile, looks to be in line for a lucrative contract that could earn him around $5 million per year as he continues to lead the NHL with a .937 save percentage, though there is no guarantee Toronto will be willing to foot that bill.
Mirtle adds that Lamoriello is also gauging interest on forward Daniel Winnik, who like Bernier has one year remaining on his contract, as well as potential rental players Roman Polak, P.A. Parenteau, and Shawn Matthias.
While the team continues to slide further out of the playoff race with just three wins in their last 10 games, it will be very interesting to see how the 73-year-old GM puts his stamp on the team in the coming weeks.