With 58 players being placed on waivers yesterday, it almost felt like a given that a team would claim at least one of them. The Ducks were one of those teams, claiming goaltender James Reimer off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres. Reimer signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Sabres this past summer.
With John Gibson out for at least another two weeks while he recovers from an appendectomy, Anaheim had unproven options behind incumbent starter Lukáš Dostál. Neither Calle Clang nor Oscar Dansk made a good enough impression during preseason to seize hold of the temporary backup spot.
Claiming Reimer gives the Ducks a veteran backstop behind Dostál. The 36-year-old goaltender has played 14 seasons in the NHL. His most recent venture was with the Detroit Red Wings last season, where he posted a 11-8-2 record with a 3.11 GAA and .904 SV% in 25 games as part of a three-man rotation with Ville Husso and Alex Lyon.
Reimer has also spent time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. Most of his career has been as either a 1A/1B tandem or a backup, but he has been able to fill the role consistently. That’s what he’ll be called upon to do for the Ducks.
Thinking further down the road, Reimer would be placed on waivers again whenever Gibson fully recovers from his appendectomy. If Reimer is able to pass through, he would provide a valuable resource at the AHL level for the San Diego Gulls goaltenders, much like Alex Stalock did last season.
