Sports reporter David Alter will be writing for theScore throughout the rest of the NHL season.
TORONTO - James Reimer was the last player off the ice following the Toronto Maple Leafs' first practice at home in over a week.
After surrendering seven goals in a hopeless loss to the Blackhawks on Monday in Chicago, Reimer acknowledged there could be a lot at stake over the next couple of weeks.
"It is what it is. I mean, at some points it's exciting," Reimer said of the season of change in Toronto. "I think you just make it work so you just try to be a good human and be a good teammate no matter what is going on. It's kind of hard to answer really."
Of course, the last time the Leafs were on the ice at MasterCard Centre, they still had their captain.
With Dion Phaneuf traded to the Ottawa Senators as part of a nine-player deal, the tone in the dressing room has changed.
For one thing, it's a lot quieter.
Garbage time
With a 20-26-9 record and sitting in last place in the NHL standings, a feeling of acceptance is beginning to permeate the room.
Playoff hopes are gone, but year one of a rebuild is never about the postseason.
"When I look at the game in Ottawa and Chicago, to me we weren't prepared enough, we weren't structured enough," said head coach Mike Babcock. "As a team, you are what you are, but you have to maximize the group and go from there."
With leadership by committee and injuries plaguing many veterans like Tyler Bozak (upper body) and Joffrey Lupul (middle body), Reimer finds himself the longest serving Maple Leaf currently on the active roster.
The question is for how long?
Free agency looms
Reimer has had a career season, despite Toronto's record and recent struggles.
At one point, his .937 save percentage was leading the league. It has since dropped to .920.
Those who will look at how Reimer performed will not put the blame solely on him, but it may not make much of a difference in the eyes of other teams.
With his numbers declining, it's hard to measure what his value is as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches.
"I think you think about it like anybody at this time of year, heck, even if your name isn't being tossed around, you never know what is going on," Reimer said. "It's that time of year when things happen, the unexpected happens. I've got faith in what I can do and what I feel people think of me so if you end up going somewhere, you make the most of it. If not, you just enjoy the moment, you enjoy where you are at and you just keep working."
Management has been noncommittal on Reimer's future. With Jonathan Bernier having his worst season, which included a 10-day conditioning assignment with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Reimer is doing what he's managed to do throughout his time in Toronto: deflect criticism and focus on his performance on a daily basis.
"For me, the big thing is you have faith. That's a big part of who I am and I understand that. Even if you think everything is going wrong, there is a purpose to it," Reimer said. "You just kind of roll with it. Obviously you don't want to let in seven (goals). You just put your head down and keep doing what you have to do."
Renting Reimer
Reimer, who will turn 28 on March 15, is in the final year of a two-year contract that holds an average cap hit of $2.3 million. He is sure to receive a raise and his camp is looking for an extension that will be more generous in both term and annual salary.
Only a few teams (the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators come to mind) are looking for goaltending help at the deadline. But the help required is at the backup level. Right now there is no ideal fit for Reimer for the second half of the season, which adds a further wrinkle to his short-term future.
Whatever happens, Reimer will deal with it.
"If you sit there and worry about what's going to happen, obviously it's normal, it's human, but you don't want it to overtake you," he said. "You realize there are bigger things going on and you just try to do your part."
