Leafs Claim Erik Reitz and Martin Gerber

[OriginalSix]

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced today the Maple Leafs claimed goaltender Martin Gerber off waivers from the Senators and defenceman Erik Reitz (pronounced REETZ) from the Rangers.

Gerber, 34, played in 14 games for Ottawa this season compiling a record of 4-9-1, along with a 2.86 goals against average, a .899 save percentage and one shutout. In 14 games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, he earned a 6-7-0 record, a 2.91 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

Gerber, a native of Bergdorf, Switzerland, has played in 214 career NHL games for three teams including Anaheim, Carolina and Ottawa. During his NHL career, which began in 2002-03, he has registered a record of 104-73-21, a 2.61 goals against average and a .910 save percentage, along with 10 shutouts. In 2006 he won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. He was originally Anaheim’s 10th pick, 232nd overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Reitz, 26, has appeared in 42 games this season with the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild. In 11 games with the Rangers, Reitz collected zero points with 24 penalty minutes. Prior to joining New York, Reitz played in 31 games with the Wild registering one goal and one assist with 41 penalty minutes.

Reitz, a native of Detroit, Michigan has played in 48 career NHL games between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild. He registered his first career NHL goal on November 15, 2008 versus Columbus. He was originally Minnesota’s fifth pick, 170th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

[blackngold]

Toronto is pretty tough with May, Mayers, Reitz, and Schenn. A solid HW will make them legit.

[Thrillhouse]

I like this. Shut down Vesa, let him get healed up and we should lose a few more games. And I'm good with Reitz

[papas1175]

Reitz has a fractured foot, he should be able to next sometime by early next week...man i liked him, great pick up by the leafs, this guy from what he showed was a solid teammate that made big hits and dropped the gloves willingly

[Gunslinger]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

I like this. Shut down Vesa, let him get healed up and we should lose a few more games. And I'm good with Reitz

Exactly.

[canuckfan]

Solid pick ups by the Leafs - TSN was talking last night that the Leafs may pick up Gerber, and I had to chcukle - turned out to be true. Reitz will look good on a blue line that needs the extra size and toughness.

[Dave_42]

Wow the Leafs are looking tough.

[grits207]

I like these pickups. Gerber obviously isn't a good starting goalie but if Toskala is done for the year Gerber will atleast be better than Cujo. If Toskala doesn't get surgery Gerber can be a quality backup for the rest of the season or they could send him to the AHL. Its not like the salary is going to hurt MLSE.

Reitz is yet another tough player for Toronto. Now they just need a heavyweight.

[Knucklechucker]

Cmon, bring in a heavy weight by 3 oclock!

[Knucklechucker]

Toskala is put on IR. Done for season.
Guess that explains why gerby is here.

[antonio106]

Originally Posted by grits207

I like these pickups. Gerber obviously isn't a good starting goalie but if Toskala is done for the year Gerber will atleast be better than Cujo. If Toskala doesn't get surgery Gerber can be a quality backup for the rest of the season or they could send him to the AHL. Its not like the salary is going to hurt MLSE.

Reitz is yet another tough player for Toronto. Now they just need a heavyweight.

Don't hold your breath...

[Dave_42]

TSN is doing a lot of talking about this team pretty much saying that they are trying to finish as close to the bottom as they can so that they get a better pick in the draft. That is the reasoning behind this move.

[PhlyerPhanatic]

The Leafs have told Gerber....to stay put. He may be on the move again.

Hmmmmmm

[Podollan]

good move by the leafs,
Reitz is a good guy!

[bengino]

lose Toskala and replace him with Gerber, yeah they are definitely trying to lose more games.

Leafs move Moore, Antropov and lose Toskala, add Gerber and Reitz....