The Ottawa Senators have inked a one-way contract with 37-year-old goaltender James Reimer for the remainder of the season. This deal, worth $850,000, comes at a time when the team’s starting goalie, Linus Ullmark, is on a personal leave of absence.
Reimer, now playing for his eighth NHL team, has participated in 525 games since his debut in December 2010 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season, he played 22 games with the Buffalo Sabres, achieving a .901 save percentage which would have placed him as Ottawa’s top goalie this season. Additionally, Reimer’s 2.90 goals-against average closely matches Ullmark’s performance.
The experienced netminder recently represented Team Canada in the Spengler Cup, an annual European club hockey competition. Following this, he secured a tryout agreement with the Belleville Senators, where he faced 28 shots and stopped 22 in a home game against Rochester, resulting in a loss.
In a notable incident in 2023, Reimer declined to participate in the pre-game warmup with the San Jose Sharks when the team donned Pride-themed jerseys. He cited personal beliefs rooted in his faith as the reason behind his decision. As a consequence, the NHL implemented a ban on “cause-based” jerseys after several players, including Reimer, made similar choices.
Since Ullmark’s absence from December 28, Ottawa has suffered five losses in seven games, conceding an average of four goals per game. The team’s 45 points at the midway mark of the season have positioned them tied with Columbus for the last spot in the Eastern Conference standings.