nypost
For the second straight year, James Reimer has parlayed a professional tryout into an NHL contract—and this time, he'll help address the New York Rangers' goaltending depth crisis. The Rangers inked the 38-year-old netminder to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum of $850,000 on Sunday, shortly after his release from a PTO with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, as first reported by Mollie Walker of The Post.
Reimer's lone appearance with the Wolf Pack came on Friday, when he turned aside all 35 shots he faced to earn a shutout. That performance made him the second-oldest goaltender to record an AHL shutout since Wade Flaherty (40 years, 62 days) accomplished the feat in March 2008. Now, Reimer will provide an established veteran presence alongside rookie Dylan Garand, as the Blueshirts navigate the absence of Igor Shesterkin (out for the season) and Joonas Korpisalo (long-term injured reserve).
With 538 career NHL games under his belt, Reimer broke into the league with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11. Last season, he appeared in 14 games for the Ottawa Senators, posting a 7-4-2 record, an .886 save percentage, and a 2.42 goals-against average.
In the short term, Reimer's arrival signals a shift in the Rangers' goaltending hierarchy. Spencer Martin, who was chosen over Garand last year as the backup when Shesterkin was injured and who has been Garand's backup recently, appears to have fallen out of favor. Garand has started seven consecutive games since Shesterkin's right skate jammed into the post against the Washington Capitals. While Garand has impressed with several strong outings, he has managed just a 1-3-1 record with an .869 save percentage over his last five games, struggling with rebound control and allowing five goals in Saturday's loss to the Senators.
Head coach Mike Sullivan has acknowledged the need to monitor Garand's workload. "We've looked at the schedule, so we know where we're at," Sullivan told reporters in Ottawa on Friday. "We've looked at the body of work. The number of games that he's played. We look at what we have moving forward and we're going to try to make decisions accordingly. We're well aware of what his workload is and where he's at. Do we anticipate moving forward giving him some rest? Yes."
Key Analysis
Reimer's signing addresses an immediate need for the Rangers, who have been forced to rely heavily on Garand due to injuries. The move not only adds a reliable veteran option but also affords the team the flexibility to give Garand periodic rest as he adjusts to the rigors of an NHL starter's workload. With Reimer's experience and recent strong play, the Rangers gain a safety net in net as they navigate a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Originally reported by nypost.