2 days Ago
Eric Comrie's return to the Winnipeg Jets caused the Buffalo Sabres to go searching for another goalie to give their NHL club depth behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. Their foray into free agency to add to the position ended Tuesday when the Sabres signed veteran James Reimer to a one-year contract that's worth $1,000,000 in the NHL. Reimer will have to clear waivers to join the Rochester Americans if he doesn't earn a job over Levi during Lindy Ruff's first training camp back as head coach.
Reimer has played 14 seasons in the NHL, appearing in 501 games with five different teams. The 36-year-old spent 2023-24 as a backup with the Detroit Red Wings and produced a .904 save percentage while going 11-8-2 in 25 games.
He was a full-time starter as recently as 2022-23 with San Jose, where he played 91 games in two years for the struggling Sharks. The signing gives the Sabres insurance in the event of an injury or if they elect to send Levi to Rochester to give the 23-year-old more starts and experience as Luukkonen operates as the starter in Buffalo. Levi has 61 games of professional experience between the NHL and American Hockey League since signing his entry-level contract in March 2022.
Levi was the Sabres' opening-night starter last season and received the bulk of the starts until Luukkonen took control of the crease on his way to a career year. The latter will be signed to a contract extension soon as the Sabres and his representatives have been negotiating a new de.
