James Reimer Returns to the Maple Leafs on PTO Deal
Photo credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have shored up their goaltender situation by signing veteran James Reimer to a PTO, bringing him back to the club that drafted him.
With Joseph Woll out for the foreseeable future, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to make sure they get some more goaltending help for Anthony Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby just in case.
Toronto Looks To The Past For Goaltender Help
They certainly got some help on Friday in the form of one of their old draft picks. The team announced they had signed goaltender James Reimer to a PTO as he looks to not only continue his NHL career, but help his former team in the meantime.
Reimer posted a 10-10-2 record with a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% last season.
For Toronto it's not only a really cool reunion to have Reimer back in the fold, especially now on a team that has a strong chance at competing, but also gives the team a really solid backup with Woll out.
Why James Reimer's Signing Gives Toronto A Fighting Chance
But in adding Reimer it's not like the team is getting just some run of the mill backup either. For someone who has been in the league so long, he's clearly been able to carve out a career as a steady and dependable option in net.
In 525 games he has a 227-185-67 record with a 2.89 GAA and .910 SV%; he's been as steady as can be, and has played for seven teams throughout his career (Toronto, Florida, San Jose, Carolina, Detroit, Buffalo, and Anaheim).
Those are the types of numbers that make fans feel a bit more comfortable with them bringing in the 37-year old Reimer.
Knowing that there's injury concerns with both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, and only Dennis Hildeby to really hold things down in case of emergency; it was necessary for Toronto to sign Reimer.
There's no indication of when or if Reimer is going to get into any action during Toronto's next preseason game but there's a good shot that with three more games to go, he could very well find himself in action, and signed officially shortly after.
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