James Reimer won’t be going to the Rochester Americans. The Anaheim Ducks on Monday claimed the veteran goalie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres signed Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million – a significant salary for a player they hoped to assign to the minors – to provide insurance. In Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, the Sabres have one of the league’s youngest goalie tandems.
Reimer, 36, served as the Sabres’ third netminder during their season-opening trip to Europe. He hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11, his third season as a pro.
Anaheim goalie John Gibson recently underwent emergency appendectomy surgery, putting the Ducks in the market for another netminder.
Now, having lost valuable depth, the Sabres might be looking to add another goalie to the organization.
The Amerks have Felix Sandstrom, who struggled during his preseason games with Buffalo, and Michael Houser, who has an AHL contract. They have played a combined 36 NHL games.
Sandstrom, 27, posted a bloated 3.92 goals-against average and an awful .831 save percentage in three exhibition appearances. He has registered a 4-18-4 record with a 3.66 goals-against average and an .880 save percentage in 30 career NHL games.
Houser, 32, spent last season in Rochester and in the ECHL. He last played for the Sabres in 2021-22.
Reimer has compiled a 215-177-63 record with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 501 NHL games over 14 seasons.
He spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings, registering an 11-8-2 mark with a 3.11 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage in 25 contests. He has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes and San Jose Sharks.