James Reimer Set for Senators Debut as Ottawa Looks for Stability in Net
It looks like the wait is finally over for James Reimer.
The 37-year-old veteran netminder is expected to make his Ottawa Senators debut on Sunday when the team travels to Detroit for a matchup against the Red Wings. With Ottawa sitting at 22-19-6 and still chasing a playoff spot, the timing couldn't be more critical.
Reimer served as the backup on Saturday night, watching from the bench as Leevi Merilainen struggled through a tough outing in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Merilainen faced just 19 shots but allowed six goals, dropping his season save percentage to .860 - second-worst in the league among goalies with at least 10 starts.
It was a rough night, and head coach Travis Green didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Six goals on [19] shots. I’m sure he’d like to have one or two back,” Green said postgame. “I feel bad for him.”
Green didn’t officially confirm Reimer as the starter for Sunday, but given Merilainen’s recent struggles and the Sens’ position in the standings - seven points back of the final Eastern Conference wild card spot - the writing appears to be on the wall. Ottawa needs stability in goal, and Reimer might be their best bet right now.
A Whirlwind Week for Reimer
Reimer’s path back to the NHL has been anything but conventional. Just over a week ago, on January 9, he inked a professional tryout deal with the Senators’ AHL affiliate in Belleville. Two days later, he was between the pipes in a chaotic 6-5 overtime loss to the Rochester Americans, stopping 22 shots in a game that was more about survival than style points.
Despite the .786 save percentage, Belleville interim coach Andrew Campbell saw enough to believe Reimer still had something to offer.
“It’s a chaotic game,” Campbell said. “The American League is the American League; the NHL is the NHL.
And guys are in the American League for a reason. It’s a lot more predictable hockey that he’s used to in the NHL, but yeah, he was solid and it was good for him to see some pucks and get his feet under himself.”
That was all the Senators needed to see. By Monday, they signed Reimer to a one-year deal worth a pro-rated $850,000. He’s since practiced four times with the NHL club and backed up Merilainen in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Rangers.
Limited Action, But Plenty of Experience
Reimer hasn’t seen much game action this season, but he hasn’t exactly been idle either. He made two starts for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, posting a .906 save percentage and a 1-1-0 record. When he wasn’t overseas, he was back home in British Columbia, staying sharp by practicing with junior teams in the BCHL.
Earlier this season, he attended training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs but didn’t land a contract. His last NHL start came on April 17, 2025, with the Buffalo Sabres - a 5-4 win over the Flyers where he turned aside 20 shots. He wrapped up last season with a 10-10-2 record and a .896 save percentage, splitting time between Buffalo and Anaheim.
What Reimer Brings to the Table
At this point in his career, Reimer isn’t being asked to be a long-term solution - he’s being asked to be a steadying presence. And that’s something he’s done throughout his 13-year NHL career.
He’s been through the highs and lows, the playoff pushes and the rebuilds. He knows how to manage a locker room and keep things calm when the pressure ramps up.
For the Senators, who are still within striking distance of the postseason but can’t afford more inconsistency in goal, Reimer’s experience could be exactly what they need. Sunday’s game in Detroit might just be the beginning of a late-season chapter that sees the veteran play a pivotal role.
And for Reimer, it’s another chance to prove he’s still got something left in the tank.