Should Sabres Hang Onto Veteran Goalie Next Season?
The Buffalo Sabres had problems with their defense this season -- and part of the blame for that is the play of their goalies. We've wrote recently about the need for the netminding to improve, but one question that hasn't been addressed yet is the future of veteran goalie James Reimer. The 37-year-old was Buffalo's best goalie late in the season, but he's a UFA this summer and could choose to retire.
If he doesn't, though, Reimer could get some interest from a team seeking goaltending depth -- and that team could be the Sabres. Reimer's 10-8-2 record, .899 save percentage and 2.90 Goals-Against Average this season weren't bad at all when you consider how poor Buffalo's defensive efforts were in front of him.
If he does return to the NHL next year, Reimer isn't going to break the bank with his salary. He earned an even $1-million this season, and he may come back on the veteran's minimum salary -- if he thought he was joining a team that gave him a good chance to make the playoffs. Is that team the Sabres? It's obviously good that Reimer knows Buffalo's organization and coaching staff, but the Sabres might be competing for Reimer's services, and that means they'd need to give Reimer an honest chance to earn playing time.
Reimer is renowned as a great teammate and calming influence, and on a Sabres team that will have all sorts of pressure to improve next year, having Reimer around might make as much sense for the dressing room as it does for the ice.
Goaltending Improvement Must Be Key For Sabres Next Season It's no secret that, as is true in many sports, defense wins championships in hockey, but it underscores the importance of goaltending when it comes to which teams succeed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And a quick look at a couple key numbers only confirms it in the current post-season.
Reimer's experience -- he's played 525 regular-season games -- is valuable for any team that wants a low-cost veteran voice on the roster. He may choose to finish his career with the Sabres, but if he doesn't, don't be surprHiised to see him sign on with another NHL team. His pedigree makes him a viable choice for a team seeking depth and veteran knowhow, and in a thin UFA goalie market, Reimer could move on from Buffalo and land in a different NHL city.
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