The Rangers’ goalie picture got even murkier on Tuesday, with James Reimer missing practice because of an upper-body injury and being listed day-to-day, according to Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.
Reimer’s setback comes right after a rough first outing in New York. In Monday’s game, his first start for the Rangers, he gave up a goal on the opening shot he faced and allowed two more before the first period ended. New York went back out for the second with Dylan Garand in net, closing the book on a debut that was notable even if the result wasn’t.
That appearance still put Reimer in rare company. With the Rangers, he reached nine teams over the course of his 17-year career, tying Cam Talbot for the most teams played for by a goaltender.
His path to the roster was an unusual one. Reimer earned the contract after posting a shutout in his lone professional tryout game with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. That performance moved him ahead of Spencer Martin on New York’s depth chart, and the expectation was that he would help give the Rangers some breathing room behind Garand.
Now the timing of the injury matters. Reimer has until Sunday to get healthy, and if he’s not ready, the Rangers would need to recall Martin to the NHL roster for that matchup.
Garand, though, is the likeliest starter either way. The 24-year-old has gone 8-4-5 with a .899 save percentage since taking over for the injured Igor Shesterkin.
Martin, meanwhile, has posted an .839 save percentage in 35 minutes during his only NHL appearance this season.
The Rangers are also waiting on Joonas Korpisalo, a summer addition who has yet to make his team debut because of a lower-body injury. He is expected back by the second week of November, which could make the situation in net even more crowded.
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