Maple Leafs' Reimer: 'It's not a case where I wanted to leave' Toronto
James Reimer attempted to clear the air surrounding his tumultuous offseason during an appearance on Sportsnet 590's The Jeff Blair Show on Monday.
The embattled Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender said he never actually wanted to leave the team, refuting reports suggesting he requested a trade.
Leafs' James Reimer on @SNJeffBlair: "It's not a case where I wanted to leave. I just thought things were kinda done there."
@FAN590
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) July 28, 2014
It's hard to blame Reimer for thinking things were done in Toronto after it appeared Jonathan Bernier was going to be the Maple Leafs' starter going forward. Reimer says he "was told that there's a definite opportunity" for him to become the starter this season, which remains his goal.
Whether or not Toronto coach Randy Carlyle will entertain that notion remains to be seen. Reimer insists his sour relationship with Carlyle "was blown a little out of proportion," but it certainly doesn't sound like they got along last season.
James Reimer tells the FAN 590 he didn't see "eye-to-eye" with Randy Carlyle last year, but adds: "I have no qualms about playing for him."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 28, 2014