Leafs Recall Bibeau; Reimer Day-to-Day

Friday evening the Leafs announced a series of moves that will keep things interesting in the Leafs crease. The club announced that they have reassigned forward Richard Clune to the Marlies in order to recall goalie Antoine Bibeau, with James Reimer now being listed day-to-day just one night after he made his return from a three-game absence due to injury.

The move obviously comes as a surprise, as Reimer was excellent again last night despite the Leafs’ loss to Minnesota.  It’s good though that he’s only listed as day-to-day, and while it looks like he’s going to miss tomorrow’s game in St. Louis after reaggrevating whatever it was that was bothering him, it looks like he’ll be back sooner than later.

As for Bibeau, he’s struggled for the Marlies this year.  He had a solid .913 for the Marlies in the AHL last year, but he has an abysmal .869 save percentage through 10 games with the Marlies so far this season.  While Garret Sparks didn’t play well Wednesday in Winnipeg, we all remember that he had a shutout on Monday against Edmonton.  He’s also outplayed Bibeau in the AHL this year.  What I’m trying to say is, I’d be pretty surprised if it wasn’t Sparks back in net on Saturday, with the team monitoring the status of James Reimer on a daily basis, with a Tuesday return against New Jersey seemingly not out of the question.

And Bernier, of course, is currently with the Marlies on a conditioning stint in the hopes that he can find his form again playing in the AHL.  That’s maybe the most interesting part about all of this, is that the Leafs are clearly 100% committed to having Bernier spend as much time with the Marlies as humanly possible before bringing him back up to the big leagues.  He’ll make his debut for them tonight against the Rochester Americans.  Oh, and his backup?

Good luck Bernier.  Good luck.