The Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks have agreed to a second trade in less than a week.
San Jose has reportedly acquired goaltender James Reimer and forward Jeremy Morin from Toronto for goaltender Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2018.
This deal makes sense for both sides for very different reasons.
PHT’s Mike Halford actually called this one a few days ago:
Next the Leafs are gonna trade James Reimer for Alex Stalock, towards which Tim Murray will give an appreciative, respectful nod.
— Mike Halford (@MikeHalford604) February 25, 2016
Woah!
It’s no secret that the Sharks have been looking to upgrade their backup goalie for some time.
San Jose has received some steady goaltending from starter Martin Jones, but it’s Stalock who’s been problematic for them.
The 28-year-old has posted some mediocre numbers, and it’s clear he didn’t have the trust of the coaching staff, as he’s played just 13 games in 2015-16.
The Sharks fill an important need and the price they paid is beyond reasonable.
For the Leafs, it’s surprising to see how little they got back for a pending unrestricted free agent like Reimer, but ultimately the plan is for Toronto is to tank...and tank they will!
All four players involved in this deal have expiring contracts (Morin is the only one who’ll be an RFA at the end of the season).
Darren Dreger has more details regarding the conditional draft pick going to Toronto:
Need some clarification, but the conditional pick is believed to become a 3rd round pick in 2018 if SC advance to Stanley Cup Finals.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 27, 2016
Fun fact: This is the fifth time 24-year-old Jeremy Morin has been traded:
James Reimer: "Obviously I had a lot of good years [in Toronto]. It's definitely a weird feeling to be going somewhere else."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) February 27, 2016
Lamoriello seems to imply that Reimer (and other traded impending UFAs) could return in free agency.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) February 27, 2016
Sharks GM Doug Wilson on trade additions: "We have a team we think can compete this year." SJ, CHI have added. Looking at you, Dallas & LA.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) February 27, 2016