SportsNet.ca is reporting that the Leafs and goaltender Ed Belfour have broken off contract talks. The 39-year-old Belfour becomes an unrestricted free agent, and according to the report, is ready to test the market.
This is not good. The Leafs need a dominant goaltender. Belfour is the primary reason we managed to eliminate Ottawa in the first round of last season's playoffs. When he's in the zone, he's as good as any goalie on the planet.
If Belfour signs with another team after July 1, who exactly tends goal for the blue and white? Ottawa has all but signed Dominik Hasek and that leaves us with Sean Burke and Byron Dafoe as the best remaining free agents. Trevor Kidd has proven he can't take the reigns and I suspect it's still too early for Mikael Tellqvist. Leaf management has to reach an agreement with Belfour. I don't see any other viable option.
