Beaninfritz
Registered User
- Aug 27, 2009
- 901
- 192
Only reason why the leafs are even this close to the bottom of the standings is that he was brutal in october and november.
The team was also quite brutal during those months too. In hindsight, Reimer might have one some of those games the way he was playing, but coaching and management obviously felt more confident with Bernier. That's why he always had the tougher assignments.
While he was guilty for averaging one soft goal per game during that stretch, the defense in front of him was often downright atrocious. I can't recall how many times they left him high and dry.
IMO, it was a lack of confidence between both groups.
"Bernier let in another soft one, great...." sighed the d-men
"Thanks for making a bad play, and leaving a shooter alone right in front of me, again...." sighed Bernier
Remember, it was Reimer's job to lose when Bernier joined the team. Sure Bernier had a bad stretch with a new team, new coach, new system, etc. Reimer also had a bad stretch with an arguably better team (talent wise), and we were in position to make the playoffs.
Unless management can make a blockbuster trade for a true top netminder, I'd expect to see Bernier being the starter again next season. Possibly even extended for another couple of seasons, so they can test the water with their own prospect pool.
I mean, Chris Osgood has won 3 stanley cups. He wasn't a bad goalie, but not top 10 material. Yet he found success because the team and system in front of him, made life easier on him by not making one boneheaded play after the next.