Tough decision may land breakout star on the trade market.

If this trade were to become a reality, fans in Toronto would be very, very upset.

According to an article penned by TSN analyst James Mirtle the Maple Leafs are still seriously debating what exactly they will do with breakout star James Reimer. Despite Toronto's struggles this season Reimer has been one of the best netminders in the National Hockey League, albeit over a limited number of games(25). That being said a .932 save percentage on a losing team is not to be overlooked. Again although his sample size has been very limited, even Reimer's advanced metrics, something Toronto pays very close attention to, are quite good.

However, as Mirtle points out in his report, the Maple Leafs are in full rebuild mode, and given that Reimer has not demonstrated he can maintain this level of play over an entire season, the Leafs may not be prepared to give him the contract he could get as a free agent. From Mirt

That doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing he stays. An extension certainly doesn’t sound imminent. As is the norm under GM Lou Lamoriello, contract talks have been kept extremely quiet, and Reimer’s agent, Ray Petkau, declined to comment on the looming deadline.

As much as the Leafs and Babcock like Reimer, there remains the issue of what they are comfortable paying him. Reimer has earned at least the equivalent of Bernier’s $4.15-million-a-season salary and can make the case he will receive term on the open market from a team that needs a goalie, such as Calgary or Carolina.

There's also a question of how much Reimer could bring back in a trade, if the rebuilding Leafs believe they can be better 2 or 3 seasons from now by acquiring picks and prospects in return, that may be enough to sway them to deal Reimer rather than retain him.

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