from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

At the end of last season it was clear Jonathan Bernier had an issue. Maybe it was focus. Maybe it was preparation.

Whatever it was, it seemed Bernier was rarely ready to start games. And in not being ready, he let early goals in game after game after game.

When training camp began this year, I asked him about how he can get to the level he wants to become as an elite NHL goalie. He said he looked forward to the challenge and what unafraid of working hard to get there.

So what's happened in his first two starts of this very young season? An early weak goal in Game 1 against Montreal. An early goal against Detroit in Game 2. An early second-period goal, another weak one, against Detroit.

The only chance the Leafs have to compete this season is have upper-echelon goaltending.

But what's clear in the early going: The problems that plagued Bernier a year ago, have not been settled through a new training camp with a new goalie coach.

If I'm Mike Babcock, I come to an terse agreement of sorts with Bernier. If he lets in the first shot of any period, and it's a weak one, I pull him. Tough love in this case. May be the only way to corral the talented but drifting Bernier.

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