MikeBabchuk
Mike Bobcat
I'm on Reimer's side for the simple reason that we drafted him and the numbers now show that there was no reason now to have traded for Bernier in the summer of 2013.
That's pretty much what it boils down to for me as well.
Yes I admit I hated the fact that Nonis made "the trade" and brought in Bernier. It is one of a number of decisions he made that were very questionable to say the least. We could debate the blunders of David Nono and the doghouse occupants of Randolph Carlol, for that matter, all day, but what's done is done.
We could also debate the whys behind why Reimer had a really tough ~one and a half seasons under Carlyle once Bernier came in, and we can debate the whys behind why Bernier played out of his mind for half a season but has regressed to a modest .909 save % since January 1, 2014.
Yup, they've both had ups and downs. Reimer has been called out for his flaws, and after this recent spell, Bernier has certainly had all his flaws wrung out and laid out as well.
The bottom line is, both are just entering their prime years, and one has made strides, refined his technical game, and is having a breakout season. All he needs to do is get healthy.
The other has been below average for two calendar years now, overall, but despite this he shows flashes of brilliance but just can't seem to keep his focus and put it all together on a nightly basis.
Right now Reimer has the edge, but things could still change by the end of the year. I think it's time to choose one or the other though by the conclusion of this season or earlier, because next year the guy who has earned the job based on his play this season deserves a shot at running with it, with a solid veteran backup behind him and the full confidence of Babcock.
Of course both of them could still get lit up and leave us with no bright spot by the end of the season, but let's hope one stands out as the guy going forward and the other can be moved along.