Instagram photo sparks rumor that Jonathan Bernier is leaving Maple Leafs

The off-season isn’t even two days old and already the madness is upon us. An Instagram photo posted by Martine Forget, whose fiancé is Jonathan Bernier, has started rumors that the restricted free agent goaltender could be leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer.

The off-season can be a time for crazy rumors and trade speculation, but here’s a new one: a photo posted by Martine Forget, whose fiancé is Toronto goaltender Jonathan Bernier, of their son wearing a onesie that does not have Maple Leafs shoulder patches.

While it sounds crazy that things have come to this – speculation over an Instagram photo is an all-new brand of rumor – there actually might be more to it than just the photo, because when someone pointed out the lack of Maple Leafs emblems on the jumper, Forget said there was, “a reason, but (she) can’t tell anyone now.”

The question by Instagram user ‘jsaini1343’ was a valid one, too, because in months prior, Bernier and Forget’s baby boy was sporting the Leafs alternate logo on his monthly onesie.

What’s interesting to note is that Bernier is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, and Toronto and the goaltender have yet to come to terms on a new deal that will keep the netminder in Ontario’s capital.

Back in February, Bernier’s agent, Pat Brisson, told NBC’s Pro Hockey Talk that there had yet to be contract extension talks between his client and the Maple Leafs.

“Nothing is going on with Jon Bernier right now. His contract is up this summer. He has another year left before becoming [an unrestricted] free agent in the summer of 2016,” Brisson told Pro Hockey Talk. “We’re just going to see how things are going to go here in the next little while. Obviously the trade deadline is this weekend.

“He’s happy [in Toronto]. He’s got an opportunity to play the last couple of years. A lot more this year. As far as the future, we are going to talk about it at the right time.”

Last season, on a Maple Leafs team that struggled mightily down the stretch, Bernier went 21-28-7 with two shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. His GAA and SP were the worst marks of his career in a season in which he played more than 20 games.

Whatever information Forget can’t tell could have absolutely nothing to do with the Maple Leafs or Bernier. And even if Bernier does leave Toronto this off-season, even then the picture could be completely unrelated. But, as the off-season hits, the madness begins.