Optimus-Reimer, a perfect name for the goalie who has hit the nhl by storm. The Maple Leafs 22 year old rookie net-miner has been put in a position to show us all whats he's made of. At the beginning of the season the maple leafs were looking solid on the back end having Giggy and The Monster competing for the NUMBER ONE position.With both goalies having issues staying between the pipes this year the 99th overall , 4th rounder in the 2006 draft has posted a dismal 2.0 GAA and a .927 SV % in the last 5 games with Toronto, posting a 3-1-1 record. The 6'2" 220 lbs Reimer some times looks almost robotic in the net, always in position and pouncing on rebounds in the blue paint. The road for Reimer hasn't been easy facing the sabers twice and and the bruins who both are above .500 and in play-off contention. Does he have what it will take to get them to the play-offs?? Well before that question can be asked we need to see what Brian Burke dips into before the trade deadline. He has already been quoted in saying " we are not giving up on this season, we will make a serious play-off drive".So now, I see him maybe looking towards the looks of one of the goalies that are rumored to be available (Hedburg, Anderson, Harding, or maybe even Schneider from Vancouver). Its the same old story people keep saying the leafs are out of a play-off spot and it will stay that way. I am going to say the leafs make a few more finishing touches on their line up, hopefully adding Blake Wheeler (imagine: Kessel, Wheeler, Lupul) and another goalie, seeing them finishing 7th overall. Vancouver seems to be having the same repeat offender issues plauging their team with D-man Kevin Bieksa going down with a small break in his foot in the 4-1win against the Preds. With Sammi Salo just coming back its a liitle help to a depleted blue line. Bieksa joins the long list of defense man already out at the moment (Edler w/back surgery, Hamhuis w/concussion, Ballard w/knee, and Alberts w/broken wrist). The canucks say, this year they will not be looking to improve, just get healthy, but with the likes of Cory Schneider sitting on the bench teams might be looking to have him join their team with an offer the nucks can't refuse. Not taking any chances the Ducks have picked up, what I believe is, their last move approaching the deadline; snatching up tough Left winger Jarkka Ruutu from Sens who have been very busy starting their re-buliding process.
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