James Reimer cleared waivers earlier this week but is back on the wire again but this time with the Rangers looking to terminate his contract and cut ties.
We reported earlier this week that the New York Rangers had waived goaltender James Reimer as they looked to be getting healthier in net with the pending return of Joonas Korpisalo plus the fantastic play of Dylan Garand keeping them competitive.
He cleared waivers as it looked like the team was simply just going to be using him as further goalie depth in case of emergency, and had just signed him to a one-year contract a couple weeks ago.
Reimer's NHL career hangs in the balance after termination
However, just as soon as he's come into New York, he's found himself out. Reimer was placed on waivers again by the Rangers but instead of simply assigning him to the AHL if he clears, they are placing him there with the purposes of terminating his contract:
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Reimer only managed to play one period for the Rangers in a loss against the Los Angeles Kings where he let in three goals on eight shots before being replaced by Garand.
The Rangers marked the ninth team that Reimer has played for, which is apropos for a journeyman goaltender with 17 years experience. His best years came early on in Toronto though did manage to carve out a solid role with teams like Florida, Carolina, and San Jose over the years.
He holds a career 232-191-67 record with a 2.88 GAA and .909 SV%, which considering how much he's played and some of the teams he's been on - it's a testament to his durability and reliability.
One Reimer clears waivers, the Rangers are going to terminate his deal and he will once again become a free agent. For teams looking for some extra depth he makes sense, but given that it took a tryout for him to earn a deal - he may need to wait a bit.
Post-playing career, Reimer has a home back with the Maple Leafs
It may also signal the end of his NHL career, as the veteran might not get a lot of looks after his one period performance with the Rangers. But if it is over for Reimer, he has a fantastic future as a coach.
One of the more cerebral minds that have come through the Maple Leafs organization, he could be a potential replacement for Curtis McIlhenny if the team decides to move on. There's that familiarity and recognition level that Toronto loves too.
He had his best years and longest tenure with the team, is still regarded as one of the better homegrown goalies in modern Maple Leafs history, and he's larned a lot over his 17+ years in the NHL.
If coaching entices him, then he's absolutely find a home.If not, he can rest easy knowing he put in one heck of a career no matter how it ended.
Has James Reimer's NHL career come to an end?
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