Maple Leafs trade goalie James Reimer to Sharks
The Trade:
San Jose gets: G James Reimer and F Jeremy Morin
Toronto gets: G Alex Stalock, F Ben Smith and a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick
The React:
Timing is everything in the trade market and the Leafs got burned by holding on to Reimer too long. The value of the UFA-to-be likely was higher earlier in the season, but diminished along with his shrinking save percentage (and ballooning goals-against average). In a market where demand was limited to the Sharks and possibly the Blues, Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello was forced to settle for less than he would have liked. Hard to imagine he'll put this swap on his personal highlight reel.
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For the Sharks, this is a clear win. They'd lost faith in Stalock's ability to fill in for starter Martin Jones, and preferred a veteran backup over minor-league option Aaron Dell. Reimer has the experience that'll allow him to play part-time or, if Jones stumbles, carry the mail for a spell. It's a safe bet that his game will rebound playing behind a much more capable defense than the one he suffered with in Toronto. And the price? Can't beat that.
Both Morin and Smith are interchangeable spare parts. They're likely to remain in the AHL and will be free agents at the end of this season.
This should be the last move we'll see from the Sharks. According to generalfanager.com San Jose is projected to have just $633,374 in cap space on deadline day, not nearly enough to add another player without salary being retained or going back the other way.
The Leafs, on the other hand, are expected to be heavily active between now and Monday. Look for Lamoriello to make out a little better with rentals like P-A Parenteau and Brad Boyes than he did with Reimer.