Rangers Sign James Reimer to NHL Contract

For the second year in a row, James Reimer has successfully transitioned from a professional tryout (PTO) to an NHL contract, strengthening the Rangers’ goaltending situation.

The 38-year-old Reimer was signed by the Rangers to a one-year deal worth $850,000 after being released from his PTO with AHL Hartford earlier that same day, as reported by Mollie Walker from The Post.

Reimer had a brief stint with the Wolf Pack, making only one start where he achieved a 35-save shutout on Friday. He now comes in as a seasoned veteran to support rookie Dylan Garand, especially with Igor Shesterkin out for the season and Joonas Korpisalo on long-term injured reserve.

Throughout his career, Reimer has participated in 538 NHL games, starting with the Maple Leafs in the 2010-11 season. Last year, he appeared in 14 games with the Senators, earning a 7-4-2 record, with an .886 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average. His performance on Friday made him the second-oldest goaltender to secure an AHL shutout since Wade Flaherty did so in March 2008.

In the immediate sense, Reimer’s signing could also hint at the Rangers’ plans for Spencer Martin, who was previously chosen over Garand as the backup during Shesterkin’s injury. Garand, who has been impressive in his recent performances, has faced challenges — recording a 1-3-1 record with an .869 save percentage over his last five games, despite some solid outings.

Garand’s recent struggles, such as allowing five goals in the last game against the Senators, raise questions about his workload. Head coach Mike Sullivan mentioned the team is monitoring Garand’s performance closely, indicating that Reimer’s presence might allow the rookie to take a breather when necessary.

“We’ve looked at the schedule, so we know where we’re at,” Sullivan addressed reporters in Ottawa. “The number of games that he’s played and what we’re facing moving forward will guide our decisions. We anticipate giving him some rest, yes.”