When Jonathan Berniers' wife Martine Forget's Instagram post about their baby sparked rumors of goalie's trade

In 2015, an Instagram post by Martine Forget, the wife of former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier, caused a stir among Leafs Nation. It triggered a flurry of trade rumors. The source of this frenzy was a seemingly innocent baby photo that raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.

Martine Forget regularly shared her joyful moments as a mother with her followers. Among her posts were monthly celebrations of her son Tyler's milestones. One particular milestone, Tyler's tenth month of life, captured the attention of Leafs fans.

Previous pictures had shown baby Tyler proudly sporting an infant-sized Leafs onesie, complete with the team's iconic logo. However, this time, the Leafs logo was noticeably absent from his attire.

One observant commenter on Forget's Instagram photo couldn't resist asking,

"He's so cute, but how come no Leafs on this one?"

Forget intriguingly replied,

"It's for a reason, but I can't tell anyone now."

With those cryptic words, the rumor mill went into overdrive. Leafs fans and media outlets swiftly began dissecting Forget's response, speculating about the hidden meaning behind the missing Leafs logos. Trade rumors began to circulate, suggesting that Bernier's future with the team might be in jeopardy.

Fans and analysts delved into various theories and possibilities, attempting to decipher what Forget's enigmatic message could imply. Some speculated that the absence of the Leafs logos might signify a potential trade involving Bernier. Others wondered if it hinted at a strained relationship between Jonathan Bernier and the Maple Leafs organization.

Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on July 8, 2016. In exchange, the Leafs received a conditional pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Exploring former Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier's NHL journey

The pinnacle of Jonathan Bernier's early career came in 2012 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Kings. However, he didn't see any action during that playoff run.

A significant turning point in his career came when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 23, 2013. It gave him a genuine opportunity to establish himself as a starting goaltender in the NHL.

Following his stints with the Leafs and Ducks, Bernier signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2018. After three seasons in Detroit, Bernier was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

However, just six days later, Bernier decided to explore new horizons and signed a lucrative two-year, $8.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils as an unrestricted free agent.