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Reimer Taking Nothing for Granted

cw

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Taking Nothing For Granted (link)

?I had about two weeks to go home and kind of enjoy it with my family and wife and look back at the whole season and reflect on it,? Reimer said Wednesday at the Leafs Hockey School presented by Rogers.
...
After his outstanding rookie season with the Maple Leafs, there is no doubt that the Leafs will be counting on Reimer to duplicate his play.

With the numbers that he had last season, wins (20), shutouts (three), save percentage (.921) and goals against average (2.60) one would think that would bring some added pressure but he doesn?t appear fazed by that challenge.

?There are always more expectations with every year that you have success," Reimer said. "People always expect it but you know, I don?t try to let it get on my mind,? he said.

One of the reasons that Reimer feels he was prepared for his opportunity last season was the work that he puts in the off-season and his goal every year will always remain the same.

?I?ve been trying to get better every year and so far I have been able to do that and this year is another year where I?m going to try to get better and improve my game,? he said.

After signing a new three-year contract with the Maple Leafs in early June, Reimer will head into training camp the undisputed number one goalie for the Leafs. But he won?t take anything for granted.

?First off it?s exciting but I?m going to try and step up and not take any handouts," he said. "I want to prove that I?m capable of doing it.?

As a starting goalie, it is expected that Reimer will be playing between 60-65 games but his off-season routines haven?t changed to prepare for the increased workload.

?Every year I prepare myself to play 50 to 60 games," he said. "I?ve been doing a few more agility drills and being a little bit more intense in my workouts but I try to work hard all the time.

One thing that he will be changing next season is having a new design on his mask. After being nicknamed ?Optimus Reim? by fans, he plans to incorporate a Transformer theme on his goalie mask.
...

?Burkie (Brian Burke) did a really good job in getting the types of players that we need to hopefully take the next step,? he said.


Older Star article:
The Leafs? James Reimer: The man behind the mask

There's lots riding on this young man's shoulders next year
 
There is a lot riding on his shoulders, but I think he is calm and cool about it all and won't let it all goto his head, or let the pressure get to him. The way he handles himself, in interviews, reminds me a lot like Sundin and how he used to handle himself in interviews, Reimers mindset, to me, is like Sundins and I think Reimer will continue to improve and become that goalie we have been looking for, for far too long, since the Cujo/Eddie days.
 
Someone mentioned in the playoff thread overall team +/- in the standings (total goals for less total goals against) and that most (or all playoff teams last year) playoff teams had positive numbers.

The Leafs were -33 in total goals for less total goals against.

If one projected Reimer's .921 save% across Giguere's games and half of Gustavssons's, that would reduce goals against by 25 goals.

If Gustavsson repeats his .890 save% during the first half, you'll probably be getting better acquainted in the second half with Ben Scrivens or Rynnas which will likely nibble a few more goals against off the tab.

If Reimer started all of Giguere's games and half of Gustavsson's games last season and one projected his points win%, the Leafs would have missed the playoffs by one point. If the backup goaltending improved, they'd tie or get into the playoffs by a point.

Reimer may not be able to duplicate .921 save% and .642 win% next season but better goaltending alone, with no improvement anywhere else in this roster can make a pretty decent dent in the shortfall they had trying to reach the playoffs last year. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that Reimer and some improvement from their backup helps bring them substantially closer to that aspiration.
 
There's tons riding on Reimer (and to a lesser extent Gustavsson).  If Reimer can come close to his play of last season, Leafs are in great shape.  If Gustavsson can IMPROVE upon his play, and post something like a .910 save% overall, Leafs will be in great shape.  The 1-2 tandem could be fantastic.  I hope and pray it is.
 
Zee said:
There's tons riding on Reimer (and to a lesser extent Gustavsson).  If Reimer can come close to his play of last season, Leafs are in great shape.  If Gustavsson can IMPROVE upon his play, and post something like a .910 save% overall, Leafs will be in great shape.  The 1-2 tandem could be fantastic.  I hope and pray it is.

I am glad they didn't give up on Gustavsson and trade him this summer, I still think he can play at this level, if not a starter, at least a capable backup. I saw him play a few games in the AHL last year and he was stellar, he should have been given more of a shot near the end of the season..
 
I'm kind of glad they kept Goose where they did, give him a fresh start this year and hope for the best ( health wise ). The potential for some kind of success at the end of last year is/was outweighed by the potential for a long-ish summer if he failed and with those let down games being what they were after elimination, or even direct participation in being eliminated should he have played, just seems a bit risky. It was a two edged sword best avoided I think, on balance at least.

I'm glad they haven't given up on him too, I'm looking forward to seeing him play for the Leafs next year.
 
Tigger said:
I'm glad they haven't given up on him too, I'm looking forward to seeing him play for the Leafs next year.

Me too.  Hope he presses Reimer for the starting job, hard competition between two young goalies (well, Gustavsson is not young-young) can't be a bad thing.
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Tigger said:
I'm glad they haven't given up on him too, I'm looking forward to seeing him play for the Leafs next year.

Me too.  Hope he presses Reimer for the starting job, hard competition between two young goalies (well, Gustavsson is not young-young) can't be a bad thing.

Yeah. I think Jonas needs to harness himself a bit both mentally and physically but he has a pretty good set of skills and, well, I have to hope for the best. He isn't young but his transition has been delayed, he needs a good stretch of health to along with some games to really know though Burke has said the situation would be reviewed at the end of camp.

There's a couple other interesting goalies below them too, decent depth.

Worse case I don't think it will be too difficult for Burke to get another goalie if he needs to.
 
Tigger said:
There's a couple other interesting goalies below them too, decent depth.

Worse case I don't think it will be too difficult for Burke to get another goalie if he needs to.

Or, with any luck, one of the other prospects becomes the next Reimer.  :)
 
I am pulling for Reimer to continue his strong play but something tells me Gus will be a huge surprise this season.  A fresh start, clean slate and he will look like he did in his short stint with the Marlies, remarkable. 
 
leafplasma said:
I am pulling for Reimer to continue his strong play but something tells me Gus will be a huge surprise this season.  A fresh start, clean slate and he will look like he did in his short stint with the Marlies, remarkable.

I think that you're right.  I expect a good season from Gus in the backup role.  There is a lot less pressure than ever.  He is no longer the "goalie of the future" waiting for his turn.  He is the backup.  Hopefully the health holds up, and he can start 20-25 as a solid #2 guy.
 
With the depth of young goaltending down on the farm, I really hope that Jonas can parlay some solid play into him becoming a good trade chip near the trade deadline.  I am pulling for him to become a starter even if it isn't as a Leaf.
 
leafplasma said:
With the depth of young goaltending down on the farm, I really hope that Jonas can parlay some solid play into him becoming a good trade chip near the trade deadline.  I am pulling for him to become a starter even if it isn't as a Leaf.

You have to believe a goalie trade is in the Leafs future.  If Reimer proves he's the #1, and two of Gustavsson, Rynnas, Scrivens and Mark in Da Park (Owuya) show they can be a true NHL goalie, someone will get traded from that list.
 
Zee said:
leafplasma said:
With the depth of young goaltending down on the farm, I really hope that Jonas can parlay some solid play into him becoming a good trade chip near the trade deadline.  I am pulling for him to become a starter even if it isn't as a Leaf.

You have to believe a goalie trade is in the Leafs future.  If Reimer proves he's the #1, and two of Gustavsson, Rynnas, Scrivens and Mark in Da Park (Owuya) show they can be a true NHL goalie, someone will get traded from that list.

Couldnt agree more. Its nice to finally have prospect depth again.... forgot what it was really like...
 
Reimer was on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver yesterday being interviewed by the notorius David "I Hate Anything to do with Toronto" Pratt. A good interview for a change. James is playing in Langley tonight (where I live) to raise money for cancer. Tickets are $7 for a rink that seats maybe 500? I just might pop in.
 
lamajama said:
Reimer was on Team 1040 radio in Vancouver yesterday being interviewed by the notorius David "I Hate Anything to do with Toronto" Pratt. A good interview for a change. James is playing in Langley tonight (where I live) to raise money for cancer. Tickets are $7 for a rink that seats maybe 500? I just might pop in.

I'm sure my son will be interested in this.  Where can a person get information about where and what time and how to purchase tickets?
 
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