The Ottawa Senators have inked a one-way contract for the remainder of the season with veteran goaltender James Reimer, who is 37 years old. This agreement, valued at $850,000, comes at a time when Ottawa’s primary goaltender, Linus Ullmark, is currently on a personal hiatus.
Reimer, who hails from Manitoba, joins the Senators as his eighth NHL team. Since his debut in December 2010 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has participated in 525 games. Notably, he played 22 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season, boasting a .901 save percentage, which would have positioned him as Ottawa’s top goalie this year. Additionally, Reimer’s 2.90 goals-against average closely mirrors that of Ullmark.
Recently, Reimer represented Team Canada in the Spengler Cup, an annual European club hockey tournament. Following this, he secured a tryout deal with the Belleville Senators, where he made 22 saves out of 28 shots in a home game loss to Rochester.
In 2023, while playing for the San Jose Sharks, Reimer opted out of participating in a pre-game warmup when the team sported Pride-themed jerseys. He cited personal convictions rooted in biblical beliefs for his decision. Subsequently, the NHL prohibited the use of “cause-based” jerseys after several players, including Reimer, made similar choices.
Since Ullmark’s absence starting on December 28, Ottawa has suffered five defeats in their last seven games, conceding an average of four goals per game. At the midway mark of the season, the team’s 45 points have them tied with Columbus for the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference standings.