TORONTO - With all the other question marks surrounding the Maple Leafs heading into this summer, add the contractual status of their No. 1 goalie.
Jonathan Bernier hopes to land a long-term deal, but approaching restricted free agency, the club has exercised its option for salary arbitration for 2015-16. Bernier’s numbers last year were down as the Leafs’ second-half collapse consumed him as well as other players.
The Leafs don’t have any in-house options other than coming back with Bernier and James Reimer and because they chose arbitration, they have no walkaway option if the decision goes against them.