The Ottawa Senators are turning to a familiar face in a bid to stabilize their tumultuous net. The club confirmed on Friday that veteran goaltender James Reimer has signed a professional tryout (PTO) agreement with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
A Desperate Move for Desperate Times
This move comes as a direct response to a glaring weakness that was brutally exposed in an 8-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Senators returned to Ottawa on Friday licking their wounds, with no time to rest before facing the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
The team's goaltending situation has reached a critical point. Starter Linus Ullmark is on a leave of absence with no clear timeline for his return. In his stead, the duo of Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard has struggled mightily. The Senators currently possess the NHL's worst team save percentage at a dismal .873.
Merilainen, who is on a one-way NHL contract, was pulled in the Avalanche debacle but had to return to finish the game. Through 16 appearances this season, he holds an .857 save percentage and a 3.50 goals-against average.
Who is James Reimer?
James Reimer, 37, is a seasoned NHL journeyman who last played in the league during the 2024-25 season for the Anaheim Ducks and Buffalo Sabres. In 24 games split between those clubs, he posted a 10-10-2 record with a 3.04 GAA and a .896 save percentage.
His extensive career spans 525 NHL games with teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings. His career totals stand at 225-187-65 with a 2.89 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Most recently, he attended the Toronto Maple Leafs' training camp on a PTO but was not offered a contract. He stayed sharp by playing for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland in late December.
The Path Forward for Ottawa
The immediate plan is for Reimer to join the Belleville Senators to regain his game rhythm. He has not played in the NHL this season and will need some time to get up to speed. However, the expectation is that he will sign a standard NHL contract with Ottawa in the coming days if his performance in the AHL is satisfactory.
This signing occurred against a backdrop of off-ice distractions, as the Senators spent Friday attempting to manage speculation on social media regarding Ullmark's personal leave. The team's statement of support for Ullmark was released just before the disastrous game in Colorado.
For a franchise searching for answers, the hope is that the 8-2 loss in Denver represents rock bottom. The addition of James Reimer is a low-risk, potential high-reward gamble to stop the bleeding in the crease and provide some veteran stability during a turbulent period. The question now is whether the 37-year-old has enough left in the tank to be the solution to Ottawa's most pressing problem.
