Could, Should, Will James Reimer Be Re-Signed For Next Year?

[LGR4GM]

Alex Lyon is probably the best UFA goalie out there. He's 32 instead of 37 and could be gotten for probably not bank breaking money. That would be my go to option unless you trade. Other option would be Anton Forsberg who is also 32 and has been decent. I think these are two guys you want to take runs at because I think both could more successfully take the reigns if UPL is again at a sub .890% while also not being long term guys when or if Levi is ready.

[Hawerchuk]

Improving this lousy, soft defense would cure a lot of the goal tending problems no matter who is in net.

[bob_sauve28]

Low cost, short term, wants to be here, has gotten job done and sat out with no complaints to let younger players try and prove themselves. 

Don't really see down side here 

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Low cost, short term, wants to be here, has gotten job done and sat out with no complaints to let younger players try and prove themselves. 

Don't really see down side here 

He's 37, has never won 7 games in a row until last month, played like hot crap back in November and December. There are younger options with more upside if UPL falls again. 

[bob_sauve28]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

He's 37, has never won 7 games in a row until last month, played like hot crap back in November and December. There are younger options with more upside if UPL falls again. 

There are not younger options, there are younger potential options in a market hungry for goaltenders, meaning you have to sign them. Sure, get someone better, by all means, if you can 

 

[spndnchz]

Who do you want? UPL? “Aged Ryebread? A pair of Levi’s? Or something else?

[LGR4GM]

13 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

There are not younger options, there are younger potential options in a market hungry for goaltenders, meaning you have to sign them. Sure, get someone better, by all means, if you can 

 

I mean... this is just semantics. You'd have to sign Reimer too... so. 

Also I find this defeatist. "If you can" well shouldn't we at least try to get better. 

[JohnC]

20 hours ago, Hawerchuk said:

Improving this lousy, soft defense would cure a lot of the goal tending problems no matter who is in net.

No one is arguing that team defense doesn't needs to be improved. But that doesn't preclude this front office from upgrading the netminding. It might turn out that UPL lifts his game and surpasses many of our expectations. That would be wonderful. What this mediocre GM can't do is assume that UPL will step up and provide the level of backstopping that is good enough to make this a more competitive team. If the GM bets on UPL without an option if he doesn't (or gets hurt), then he will be acting at a dereliction of duty level. 

[dudacek]

This is the list of cheap goalies signed in free agency last summer

• Matt Murray $.7M 1 win, .879 S%
• Kevin Lankinen $.8M 25 wins, .901 S%
• Ilya Samsonov $1.5M 16 wins .892 S%
• James Reimer $1M 9 wins .906 S%
• Chris Driedger $.8M minors
• Phoenix Copley $.8M 0 wins .833 S%
• Scott Wedgewood $1.5M 13 wins .908 S%
• Kappo Kahkonen $1M 1 win .800 S%
• Casey DeSmith $1M 14 wins, .916 S%
• Cam Talbot $2.5M 20 wins, .904 S%
• Anthony Stolarz $2.5M 19 wins .922 S%
• Eric Comrie .8M 9 wins .914 S%
• Alex Nedeljkovic $2.M 13 wins .894 S%
• Calvin Pickard $1M 22 wins, .902 S%

Seems to be a correlation between the ones who delivered and the ones who are on good teams.

But it should not be hard to sign one of these types on the idea of “You start as #2, but if UPL struggles, you’re going to get your shot” while holding the idea of Levi in your back pocket.

Maybe he grabs the chance like Kevin Lankinen did. Maybe Levi forces his way into the NHL. Maybe UPL bounces back. Three guys with a clear slot, but also a clear path to improve, hold or lose it seems like the most reasonable best case scenario.

Ideally, I’d like to add a clear upgrade on UPL. Those guys aren’t available. And the guys that are available are no more likely to deliver 55 starter-calibre games than UPL. Almost certainly less.

I guess Reimer still fits the #2 mold I’m describing, but I’d rather bet on a 28-30 year-old no-name to be next year’s Stolarz or last year’s Charlie Lingren.

I will say that I’d make an exception and pay the price if the Canucks make Thatcher Demko available because of contracts and Lankinen. Unfortunate year for him, but he’d be playing for a new contract and he’s the real deal.

Edited Saturday at 02:50 PM by dudacek

[steveoath]

Could he: yes

Should he: No

will he? *cut to live feed of the “war room” with GMKA and TPEGS*

[Night Train]

 But..but..but...we have UPL !

sigh...

 

 

[Sabres Fan in NS]

On 4/9/2025 at 6:12 PM, Wyldnwoody44 said:

It may be a year too early for Levi, hard to say. It's also possible he never gets to the level he needs at the NHL as he is quite small and that works against him unless he is absolutley elite with everything else. 

He will be our Carey Price.  Even looks like Price, kinda, sorta.

[JP51]

On 4/9/2025 at 5:26 PM, Pimlach said:

Dear Kevyn Adams,

You go get a starting goalie that can play the bulk of a season, more than 38 year old Reimer can.  You can offer Reimer something for #2 or #3 duty. 

Maybe UPL is in the deal for that goalie?  Maybe not.   We don't have the inside scoop on the UPL performance degrade, but you do.  So maybe he gets another shot?  If he does you need an NHL goalie challenging him that can get us to the playoffs, you need insurance on next season.   You cannot fail again.  

You assume that Levi needs another year in Rochester, you plan on that, and if he really doesn't you have a good problem.  You do not count on Levi to be ready just yet.  

 

I have a better idea... 

Dear Kevyn Adams

 

    Would you please volunteer your services for a full time job renovating the bathrooms at TD Garden.... I hear Jeremy Jacobs likes local folk. 

Love, 

 

The fans

 

On 4/9/2025 at 5:26 PM, Pimlach said:

Dear Kevyn Adams,

You go get a starting goalie that can play the bulk of a season, more than 38 year old Reimer can.  You can offer Reimer something for #2 or #3 duty. 

Maybe UPL is in the deal for that goalie?  Maybe not.   We don't have the inside scoop on the UPL performance degrade, but you do.  So maybe he gets another shot?  If he does you need an NHL goalie challenging him that can get us to the playoffs, you need insurance on next season.   You cannot fail again.  

You assume that Levi needs another year in Rochester, you plan on that, and if he really doesn't you have a good problem.  You do not count on Levi to be ready just yet.  

 

I have a better idea... 

Dear Kevyn Adams

 

    Would you please volunteer your services for a full time job renovating the bathrooms at TD Garden.... I hear Jeremy Jacobs likes local folk. 

Love, 

 

The fans

 

Ok so first off I want to acknowledge that I may be impatient and the give Levi a 3rd year in Roch may be the way to go...  but he is going to be 24 this year...  (next season) at what point do we get him NHL games and see what he does and make a decision...  I am moving to this stance... either he is gonna make it or he isnt. or do we just feel that this Rochester experience is going to provide major benefit and improvement ....  for everyone in the improvement crowd 

Sabres NHL save percentage 2022-23  .905   2023-24  .899     2024-25  .872   NHL W/L record  22/23  5-2  23/24  10 -8   24/25  2-7 

Amerks  S/P   23/24  .927  24/25 .917  AHL won loss  23/24 16-6  24/25  24-12

Statistical regression each year in both leagues in both save percentage and w/l....  I am not saying stats are everything... but we are certainly not seeing massive benefit of him staying in the AHL taking leaps and bounds towards being a top goaltender honing his skill and benefiting... at what point do we bring him in to play at this level and find out if he is the guy or not. I suspect he ultimately is not... I hope I am wrong... 

 

 

On 4/9/2025 at 7:39 PM, Flashsabre said:

Could we coax Craig Anderson out of retirement and go with an Anderson-Reimer combo?😛

The NHL should allow each team a 3rd goalie in the NHL roster. 
 

Id sign Reimer as an insurance policy.

That sounds like a heating and cooling company that does windows.... 

[Drag0nDan]

I'd rather strike out on a bunch of options before i end up with reimer again.