Former Red Wings Goaltender Finds Success With the Buffalo Sabres

The Anaheim Ducks waived goalie James Reimer on November 13th, 2024, and quickly snapped up by the Buffalo Sabres.

The move happened nearly a month after the Ducks claimed Reimer off of waivers from Buffalo, with whom he had originally signed a contract on July 1st.

Since his short stint in Anaheim, which proved to be less than fruitful, he's put his best foot forward in the Sabres organization.

He's found success in 15 games with the Sabres, with a record of 5-6-2, 2.63 GAA, and a .908 save percentage.

In his last four starts with the team that has been terrible in front of him, he's managed to post four starts at .900 and above with .917, .938, and .920 and a 3-1 record.

Adding in his games from Anaheim doesn't paint a great picture, but you have to consider the quality of the team in front of him.

If you take into account MoneyPuck numbers for Reimer (GSA 8.1) this season with the Sabres, he's put himself above Devon Levi (GSA -8) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (GSA -5.6).

And Reimer, who's playing on a one-year, $1 million deal with the Sabres, continues to demonstrate he's punching above his weight with ranked 26th in GSAX.

The only Red Wings goalie who comes close to Reimer this season is Cam Talbot at 22nd with 10.6 GSAX.

Reimer posted similar numbers in Detroit that we're seeing in Buffalo now, with a record of 11-8-2, 3.11 GAA, and a .904 save percentage, and two shutouts.

While it's debatable if GM Steve Yzerman should have let him walk into free agency the Buffalo Sabres get great goaltending now at a discount thanks to the Wings.