The Ducks claimed James Reimer from the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, setting in place what’s likely the final piece of their roster puzzle before their Oct. 12 opener in San Jose.
Reimer, 36, has played 501 NHL games but none for Buffalo, which signed him over the summer only to waive him as the deadline for the submission of cap-compliant rosters loomed. Reimer previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes in addition to enjoying a pair of stints with the Ducks’ first opponent, the Sharks.
The seasoned pro ranks 11th among active goalies in wins, ninth in shutouts and 17th in save percentage. His career record of 215-177-63 as well as his .910 save percentage and 2.88 goals-against average combined to make a persuasive case to General Manager Pat Verbeek, who has been unexpectedly busy with his goaltending stable.
The Ducks traded prospect Gage Alexander for spark-plug forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional draft pick, doing so thinking Tomas Suchanek’s role would expand. But when Suchanek sustained a serious knee injury that required reconstructive surgery, they signed 30-year-old Oscar Dansk as a stopgap measure.
Dansk and prospect Calle Clang, who were both reassigned to the minors, auditioned during the preseason not only for the minutes of Suchanek in the AHL but the NHL ice time vacated by veteran John Gibson, whose emergency appendectomy ruled him out for the start of the regular season.
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Reimer now gives the Ducks a reliable goalie in a glass case while Gibson is out, though Coach Greg Cronin said right after Gibson’s operation that its primary impact would be more weight to bear for the emergent Lukáš Dostál.
“(Dostál) is an extremely well-prepared athlete. He does everything right in terms of his preparation, his visualization, his off-ice conditioning, his preparation with (Petr Budaj) prior to a game. He’s a consummate pro,” Cronin said. “He’s a very humble kid, but he’s also very confident. I expect him to play well, I don’t foresee any issues with Dost in terms of building on what he did last year.”
