What Happened
The New York Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, announced Thursday that 38-year-old goaltender James Reimer has signed a professional tryout agreement. The move comes after Rangers star netminder Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the season on Saturday, and backup Joonas Korpisalo is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Reimer will initially join Hartford as organizational depth.
Key Details
- Reimer, 38, signed a PTO with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers' AHL affiliate.
- Shesterkin was ruled out for the season on Saturday.
- Korpisalo is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
- Reimer had a 2.42 GAA and .886 save percentage in 13 starts with Ottawa last season.
- Reimer has played 539 NHL regular-season games over 16 seasons.
- A ninth NHL team would tie Cam Talbot's record, set earlier this season.
What It Means
The Rangers are left without their top two goaltenders, forcing them to seek outside depth. Reimer, a veteran of 539 NHL games, provides experience at the AHL level while the organization evaluates its options. If he appears for New York, it would be his ninth NHL team, matching Cam Talbot's record set earlier this season.
What's Next
Reimer will report to Hartford on the PTO. A strong showing could lead to an NHL contract with the Rangers, who currently lack healthy goaltending depth behind their injured starters.