Goalie Start
Reimer starts for #Leafs.
Reimer takes on the Flames for the first time in his career.
Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA
New York Rangers News
Line Change
Greening-Spezza-Zibanejad
Zibanejad moves to the wing in his third NHL game. Through his first two, he registered one assist.
Goalie Start
James Reimer is letting you know that he will be starting in goal tonight
Over three career starts against the Sens, Reimer holds a 2-0-1 record with a shutout, a 0.98 GAA and .963 SV%.
Goalie Start
James Reimer will start in goal
Reimer went 1-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .884 SV% over his two career starts against the Habs. His one win came at the Molson Centre despite allowing four goals on 35 shots.
Line Change
Behind his out-of-nowhere emergence as the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 goalie were years of mind-busting customized Matrix-like workouts for goaltending reflexes — the result of a chance meeting, really — at a fitness centre in Maple Ridge, B.C.
Reimer's work ethic should alleviate some concerns over his long-term value. Last season the 23-year-old won 20 of his 37 games played while finishing the season with a .921 SV%. Expect a slight drop off in his play but possibly not as bad as expected.
Line Change
“I’m not sure if (Zibanejad making the team) is a done deal at this point,” MacLean said. “We still have, counting tonight, 10 games we can still evaluate him, but it certainly appears, with the injuries to Peter Regin and Jesse Winchester, that the door is open for him to walk into at this point in time.”
Zibanejad is probably too good for any junior club at this point but could be sent to the AHL as a player drafted in Europe. Expect at least a nine-game tryout.
Line Change
Meanwhile, Zibanejad is doing everything he can to start the season in the NHL. He scored a nifty goal in tight against the Winnipeg Jets Monday and roofed a one-timer against the Bruins in overtime last week.
Zibanejad could play in the NHL, the question is whether he has earned a spot. Last season he only played 26 games professionally, scoring five goals and nine points with Djurgardens IF Stockholm. Look for him to continue competing with Peter Regin and Stefan Da Costa.
Call up / Send down
PLAYERS RETURNED TO JUNIORS: Forwards: Shane McColgan (Kelowna, WHL), J.T. Miller (Plymouth, OHL), Michael St. Croix (Edmonton, WHL), Christian Thomas (Oshawa, OHL), Andrew Yogan (Peterborough, OHL)
Line Change
Finally, Mika Zibanejad’s battle for the 2nd line centre position certainly took a turn for the better with last night’s OT winner.
Sounds like Zibanejad could beat out Peter Regin and Stephane Da Costa for the second-line role. In 26 games for Djurgardens IF Stockholm of the SEL, Zibanejad scored five goals and nine points. He most likely sticks with the big club.
The young center confessed to having stars in his eyes while playing alongside one of his idols, Daniel Alfredsson. Zibanejad skated on the same line as the captain and Milan Michalek for both the practice and scrimmage.
The two wingers were slated to flank star center Jason Spezza so don't expect Zibanejad to earn the top line role right now. However, this audition proves that the Sens are interested in their 2011 top pick playing this season.
The #NYR have agreed to terms with 2011 first round draft pick JT Miller
The Ottawa Senators signed first-round pick Mika Zibanejad to a 3-year entry level contract on July 13.
The Star has learned Maple Leaf goaltender James Reimer, who sparked a second-half turnaround for Toronto last season after beginning the season fourth on the team’s depth chart, has signed a multi-year contract with the team.