Who should walk past James Reimer as he was quizzed on Auston Matthews’ inheriting his sweater number than the captain himself in a bit of kismet.

No one is suggesting seniority should have prevailed when Reimer and his 10-year age difference returned to the Leaf camp this week – with Matthews’s 34 worn by every second fan on a Saturday game night – but even the two Maple Leafs realized it would be a talking point around town.

“We had a little bit of a tussle,” laughed Reimer, who is wearing 74 for now. “We kind of figured that Monday in practice we’ll have a bout at centre and the winner takes the number.”

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After Reimer was traded in 2016, the only goalie to have worn 34, it went to Matthews, the first overall pick that year, w

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