Dave Nonis says goaltending is team’s No. 1 priority

Despite singing the praises of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, newly appointed Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis said he won’t hesitate to make a move via trade if either goaltender fails to impress early in the season.

One day after taking over from Brian Burke, who was fired by the team on Wednesday, Nonis appeared on Hockey Night in Canada Radio with hosts Gord Stellick and Scott Oake to discuss, among several issues, the Leafs’ No. 1 priority: goaltending.

“Depends on how [Reimer and Scrivens] play,” said Nonis. “If they play like we’ve seen them play in the past, and we don’t have any injury issues, and James gets back at the level that he was at, then the answer is yes [the goaltending is good enough].

“You can’t have success without quality goaltending. If we can improve in net we’re going to. If we can’t or if the price is just so ridiculous that it actually sets your team backwards, you have to win with the players that you have until you can make some changes.”

Nonis is fully aware of media reports over the last several months that have suggested the Leafs were going after Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo. There was talk Wednesday that a potential Luongo deal may have been a factor in Burke’s dismissal.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/story/2013/01/10/sp-nhl-dave-nonis-brian-burke-goaltending.html