NHL Trade: Maple Leafs trade Jonathan Bernier to Ducks
By Leah Smith
The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional 2017 draft pick.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks have made another trade. Toronto is sending goalie Jonathan Bernier to Anaheim in exchange for a conditional 2017 draft pick, as reported by Sportsnet.
This deal comes after the Ducks sent Frederick Andersen to the Leafs prior to the draft, for the 30th pick in the 2016 draft and a second round pick in 2017. In Andersen, who Toronto quickly signed to a five-year extension, the team had their number goalie of the future, raising the question of what would happen to Bernier.
Luckily, the Andersen trade also left the Ducks in need of a backup goalie, so by swiping netminders, both teams fulfill their required needs. The reason why Bernier was not included in the Andersen deal, has to do with a $2 million dollar signing bonus that had to be paid to Bernier on July 1 that Anaheim did not want to pay.
Bernier came to Toronto in June of 2013 as part of a trade with the L.A. Kings in exchange for Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin and a second round pick in 2015.
Expected to be the clear starter ahead of James Reimer, Bernier’s time in Toronto was spent mostly splitting the starting job with Reimer. Last season was filled with struggles for Bernier. In 38 games, he posted a record of 12-21-3 with a Goals Against Average of 2.88 and a save percentage of .908. He also started the 2015-16 season 0-8-1 in is first nine starts.
For his career, Bernier has a record of 88-88-23, over 213 appearances with the Kings and Leafs. He has 12 shutouts, with a GAA of 2.67 and a save percentage of .915.
Bernier’s cap hit is $4.15 million, and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent ant the end of this season.
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