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 13 hours ago 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.