As a stopgap. A cheap, skilled placeholder.
Amongst a particularly restricted pool of goaltenders nonetheless unsigned in late September, Reimer returns to Toronto on skilled tryout as each the oldest UFA goalie available on the market (37) and the one with one of the best save proportion (.897) final season.
The veteran’s mid-camp invite arrives on the identical day {that a} youthful, pricier choice — Utah’s Connor Ingram ($1.95 million cap hit) — is out there on waivers and simply three mornings after Woll left the membership indefinitely to take care of a private household matter.
“We’re going to provide Joe some area,” Leafs GM Brad Treliving mentioned Wednesday on Actual Kyper & Bourne. “We definitely count on him again, however at this level we don’t know what that is.”
An sudden predicament arose.
Treliving may merely start the season with a huge (and gigantically unproven) tandem of injury-prone Anthony Stolarz (career-high begins: 33) and still-developing prospect Dennis Hildeby (profession begins: six).
Alternatively, he may poke across the commerce market with minimal property to spend; snatch Ingram off waivers; or usher in a UFA like Reimer, ex-Leaf Ilya Samsonov (with whom the membership has an disagreeable arbitration historical past) or Georgii Romanov (who’s no extra confirmed than Hildeby).
“Is there one thing on the market that’s higher than what we’ve? That’s the query we ask our workers each day,” Treliving mentioned. “In Dennis’s place, this was kinda his time for me. He’s had two years now over in North America.
“He’s been spectacular at occasions within the American League.”
Which is why Treliving had strayed from signing a veteran, third-string safety blanket for his crease over the low season like he did in 2023 (Martin Jones) and 2024 (Matt Murray).
Reimer — ought to he earn a job with simply three pre-season matches remaining whereas Woll’s absence lingers — is coming to fill that function.
The Morweena, Man., native was drafted by the Leafs 19 years in the past and performed his first six seasons in Toronto.
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That continues to be Reimer’s longest stint. He has now modified golf equipment eight occasions since, registering a decent .910 profession save proportion.
The journeyman posted a 10-10-2 document and a .896 save proportion final season with rebuilding outfits in Buffalo and Anaheim however began the majority of video games for San Jose as just lately as 2022-23.
He gained’t be costly to signal (league minimal ought to do it) and gained’t disrupt the room.
The Atlantic, which boasted 5 playoff groups final season, may nicely be the NHL’s best division this season. Early-season stumbling might be pricey.
So, it’s telling that Treliving was compelled to herald extra goaltending depth.
Woll’s return doesn’t really feel imminent.
Hildeby nonetheless appears uncooked.
And the 31-year-old Stolarz, stellar when wholesome, has by no means carried a starter’s burden by way of 82 video games on the NHL stage.
Reimer may assist the Leafs soften the workload of Stolarz, who has but to decorate in a pre-season recreation and remains to be grinding away at a contract extension with Treliving.
“I’m assured that we will get one thing carried out, however I don’t take a look at it as a dire state of affairs in any respect. He’s poised to have a extremely good 12 months,” Treliving mentioned.
“If we will get one thing carried out earlier than the season begins and provides us some certainty there, that may be my desire. If not, I do know we’re going to have a extremely motivated participant.”
