NHL Waivers: Will The Buffalo Sabres Prolong James Reimer’s Career?

It takes a lot of staying power to last 10 years in the NHL. It takes even more than that to be James Reimer.

The Buffalo Sabres claimed Reimer off waivers Wednesday – the same team that signed him to a one-year, $1-million contract this summer before losing him on the waiver wire to Anaheim. But clearly, the Ducks were looking for a stop-gap solution when they claimed Reimer in October. With the return of veteran John Gibson to action, Anaheim was comfortable doing without Reimer’s services.

That said, if the Sabres represent Reimer’s last kick at the can at the NHL level – and that’s not guaranteed, as he could be waived again and claimed by another team before the season is through – Reimer has done better for himself than anyone could’ve predicted when he was drafted 99th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2006.

When you put aside Reimer’s status as a journeyman netminder now playing for his seventh NHL team – Toronto, San Jose (in two stints), Carolina, Florida, Detroit, Anaheim and now Buffalo – you’ll see that Reimer’s numbers are rather solid, and they’re the reason why he keeps getting opportunities even now at age 36.

Reimer hasn’t won any individual awards at the NHL level, but in 503 appearances – which is an achievement in and of itself – Reimer has posted a 215–179-63 record, as well as a 2.89 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Again, those aren’t Hockey Hall of Fame numbers, but they do show a resilience and determination to stick around in hockey’s top league.

The Sabres have had some wild swings in goaltending performance this season, so Reimer will almost assuredly be considered a short-term stabilizer in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the NHL’s third star of last week with a .956 save percentage, but he has a .903 save percentage and 2.83 goals-against average overall. He’s also now out day-to-day with an injury. Devon Levi, meanwhile, has a 1-4-0 record with 4.10 GAA and .866 SP.

Reimer is currently in his 15th NHL season, and there’s something to be said for lasting that long at the sport’s highest level. While he hasn’t won a Stanley Cup – he got to appear in just seven playoff games – Reimer has earned his reputation as a great teammate and a fierce battler between the pipes.

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Related: NHL Waivers: Jets Reclaim A Goalie While Reimer Hits The Wire