It seems the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings couldn’t wait until the Stanley Cup Finals were over to start the off-season player swapping, as both teams have consummated a trade according to a story via Sportsnet.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings.
To get Bernier, Toronto gave up forward Matt Frattin, backup goaltender Ben Scrivens and Toronto’s second round pick in either the 2014 or 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall, discussed the trade, saying that it had been in the works fork months.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3L-7UC0uQo?feature=player_embedded&w=640&h=360]
Bernier only played 14 games last season as a backup for starter Jonathan Quick, and compiled a 9-3-1 record with 1.88 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. He is said to have wanted to go to a situation where he would be the starting goalie and apparently he’ll get his wish in Toronto.
Make no mistake. Leafs management view Bernier as an upgrade. He comes to Toronto as a starter.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) June 23, 2013