As part of Blue Toro’s on-going/never-ending quest to provide interesting content, welcome to our new weekly feature: Top Toronto Athlete sightings of the week.

As regular readers know, we often feature public shots of athletes who ply their trade in Toronto.  However, rather than producing random blogs discussing these various sightings, we thought it would make more sense to collate them into a weekly feature.

As such, we now present our inaugural column.  Please feel free to contact us with your feedback, constructive or otherwise:

1) JAMES REIMER

Removing whatever doubt was left that James Reimer never stops smiling, here he is taking the time to pose with a fan, despite dealing with the fallout from the Leafs game 7 meltdown.  Mind you, now that we know who the goaltender is going home to every night, I think we’d all have a permanent smile on our face under those circumstances.

2) JOFFREY LUPUL

Meanwhile, Joffrey Lupul appears to be doing his best to avoid the spotlight, which might explain why he went under the cover of darkness to attend the Vampire Weekend Concert last night.  However, he still couldn’t avoid the fans. If his left fist and expression on his face are any indication, the winger appears close to lashing out at somebody.

3) JOE EPPELE

Argonauts offensive lineman Joe Eppele was at RealSports Bar with some friends on Monday night to watch the Leafs game against the Bruins.  They all seem quite happy, so I’m assuming the photo was taken sometime before the last two minutes of regulation.  Either that, or they just don’t care.

4) BRETT LAWRIE

While this isn’t what you’d usually term as a social sighting, we felt obliged to share this photo of Brett Lawrie.  I’m sure plenty of women out there can empathise with how much of a pain it is when you’re preparing to go out and you’ve misplaced your makeup mirror.

5) JOSE BAUTISTA

This picture actually comes from last weekend, when Jose Bautista went out for a meal in Boston.  How do we know he’s in Boston? Look no further than the guy not bothering to stand up for the photo, basically embodying the arrogant sense of self-importance normally associated with Boston sports fans.

6) RUDY GAY

Quick quiz: Why do you think the Raptors Rudy Gay looks less than happy? Is it because; a) He’s in Baltimore, b) He’s shopping at H&M or c) The Grizzlies have clearly shown they don’t need him.

7) R.A. DICKEY

Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey received an honorary doctorate from Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto earlier this week, i.e. he didn’t actually put any time or effort in to earn it.  This led to questions about if his Cy Young award was also an honorary one, given the way he’s performed at times this season.

8 ) DION PHANEUF

And finally, I’m not saying fan James Liles is pissed off with Dion Phaneuf, but here’s a photo that was taken when he ‘meet’ the Leafs captain.

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• By paul.taylor
• May 18, 2013
• Comment

Despite the devastating 5-4 loss to the Bruins, the Leafs can hold their heads high and be proud of what they accomplished this season.  However, this still doesn’t change the fact we’re all going to need a little time to get over the trauma of last night.

Personally, I’m just about over the denial and anger stages and slowly beginning to accept what happened. Which might explain why I found it too hard to resist creating the following meme:

They way I look at it, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.

In all honesty though, James Reimer has nothing to be ashamed of. If it wasn’t for him, the Leafs wouldn’t have got back into the series.

Besides, all the goaltender has to do is remind smartasses like me, who he gets to go home to every night:

Yep, something tells me Mr Reimer is going to be just fine.

Photo credit: @RayPetkau

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• By paul.taylor
• May 14, 2013
• Comment

Yes, maybe I’m still buzzing from the Leafs game, hence why I’m writing this at 12:20am, but for anyone else who’s still up, here’s James Reimer’s big saves from the second period:

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• By paul.taylor
• May 13, 2013
• Comment

Curtis Joseph may be retired, but he certainly hasn’t been forgotten.  Look no further than Leafs fan Robert DeRose, who was thrilled to have his photo taken with the former goaltender at Lowes in Windsor :

Heading into this campaign, many Leafs fans were still pining for the days of Joseph, who averaged 33 wins per season between 1998-2002 in Toronto.  However, as highlighted by James Reimer’s performance during last night’s 2-1 victory in Boston, the Leafs appear to have finally found a suitable replacement.

In fact, if Reimer can have even half of Joseph’s success (454 career wins), the Leafs may be about to become regular contenders again.  As long as he doesn’t also attempt to challenge Joseph’s record of 352 career losses, the second-most in NHL history.

Photo credit: @DoctorRobert

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• By paul.taylor
• May 11, 2013
• Comment

Thankfully, things are looking slightly better in Leafs Nation today, after last night’s thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory in Boston.  James Reimer may have finally proved he’s the goalie of the future for this team and I couldn’t be happier for him.

One person who wasn’t available for game 5 was the Leafs Mark Fraser, after the following incident during Wednesday’s 5-2 loss at the ACC:

As a result, Fraser was taken to the hospital for a CT scan and this is what they found:

Talk about literally adding injury to insult.

You’d figure Fraser might want to consider his legal options, especially with being the son of Ontario Court of Justice Judge, The Honourable Mr. Justice Hugh Fraser.  Surely dad could pull a few strings to make sure that ‘justice’ is served, until you realise the former New Jersey Devils draft pick wasn’t wearing a visor.

While the defenceman is undoubtedly one tough son of a gun, especially after leaving the ice under his own steam, not wearing the appropriate protection makes you question his intelligence.  And there’s no defence for stupidity, no matter how powerful your dad is.

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• By paul.taylor
• May 11, 2013
• Comment

If the Leafs hold on to bring this series back to Toronto, this save by James Reimer will be a major reason for it:

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• By paul.taylor
• May 10, 2013
• Comment

The Score: Tonight the Toronto Maple Leafs lost in overtime to the Boston Bruins. CBC often had their cameras fixed on the Reimer family, as his mother and wife were side-by-side, suffering through each and every play with James, the Leafs’ tender. When teams provide the players with family tickets, they lump them all together. That means Reimer’s family would be in the same section as Dion Phaneuf’s girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert.

After the overtime winner was scored, they cut back to the Reimer family, only to see James’ wife giving a look to Cuthbert, who promptly rolls her eyes and dismisses her. It’s a hilarious moment because you can probably guess what happened: the Bruins scored, Cuthbert made some half-thought out exclamation as all fans do (something like “oh you gotta stop that!” or “stupid goalie!”), Mrs. Reimer gives her the eyes and maybe says something, and…awwwkwarrrrd.

Seems like it wasn’t Miss Cuthbert who made a stupid comment after the goal.

Anyway, the big question remains: do you blame Phaneuf for the loss?

• By ed
• May 8, 2013
• Comment

Regardless of how well James Reimer has played for the Maple Leaf this season, if you’re anything like me (and my condolences if you are) you’re concerned about him heading into the playoffs.  While being in the postseason is the only way you can gain experience, it’s tough not to fear the worst against the battle-hardened Bruins.

And after watching the L.A. Kings get off to a disastrous start last night in their defence of the Stanley Cup, I’m even more nervous than before, thanks to Jonathan Quick.  An early contender for the playoff blooper reel, the goaltender misplayed the puck (during a power play for his own team no less), leading to the Blues Alexander Steen scoring the winning goal in overtime:

After seeing that, let’s just say I now have visions of James Reimer being in a similar situation tonight and making the same mistake.  Mind you, this would mean the Leafs actually having a chance of winning in Boston, which is just crazy talk.*

* Yep, that’s right.  The reverse psychology has started in earnest. 

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• By paul.taylor
• May 1, 2013
• Comment

The Leafs gained another valuable point last night and edged ever closer to the final frontier, i.e. a return to the postseason after an eight-year absence which has spanned two lockouts.

However, one of the few causes for concern from the game against the Rangers was yet another shootout loss for James Reimer, who is now winless in five attempts this season.  The only other winless shootout teams are the Hurricanes, who’ve been involved in just one all season, and the Flames (0-3) who can be excused for being……..well……..the Flames!

As such, Leafs GM Dave Nonis has been considering other options that can specialise purely in shootout situations.  Fortunately, he may well have found the solution, although for some reason Reimer (and Ben Scrivens) could potentially be offended:

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• By paul.taylor
• April 11, 2013
• Comment

While the Maple Leafs continue to look for an experienced goaltender as insurance for James Reimer in the event of making the playoffs, some experts think they would be better served by upgrading their top four on the blue line.

While one possibile target, Jay Bouwmeester, has gone to the St Louis Blues, the Leafs have also been considering Stephane Robidas. In fact, according to reports, the Leafs had a scout in attendance at Sunday’s Dallas Stars matchup against the L.A. Kings to watch the Canadian defenceman.

At age 36 and with his contract set to expire after next season, Robidas would provide an ideal short-term solution for a Leafs team looking to add some grit to their lineup.  There’s no denying the former Montreal Canadien’s draft pick is the type of player coach Randy Carlyle would love to have on his team.

Obviously the key point is what the Leafs would have to offer in return for the Stars alternate captain.  Potential makeweights in any deal include a third round draft pick and Mike Komisarek, who, after clearing waivers, is currently assigned to the Marlies.

Photo credit: www.zimbio.com

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• By paul.taylor
• April 2, 2013
• Comment