With the NHL's shortened regular season already about one-third over, one area of need remains clear for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis joined The TSN Drive with Dave Naylor on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto on Monday and discussed his club's desire to acquire a veteran goaltender.
"Both our (current) goalies are aware of it, it's not that we don't think that we have NHL-calibre goaltenders, or goalies with the ability to become very good starting goaltenders," Nonis explained. "But if we could add someone to help them along, a veteran that would help them grow, then we would do it."
Toronto's incumbent netminders - James Reimer and Ben Scrivens - have both played well in an early-season platoon. Together they have backstopped their club to 10 wins in 16 games so far, helping the Leafs sit in a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Still, while Nonis would prefer a veteran presence to help in goal, he says the market has not provided what the team is looking for.
"At this point, there hasn't been a veteran available, at least not at a price that makes any sense for us," said Nonis. "And to the credit of both our goaltenders, they have stepped up and played very, very well."
"So it hasn't changed, we'd like to give them some help, some guidance along the way, but if that's not available at a reasonable price that we're content to go with the two (that we have)."
