The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender James Reimer to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, according to multiple reports.
The 35-year-old is coming off a difficult season that saw him go 12-21-8 with three shutouts and a .890 save percentage. He shared the net with Kaapo Kahkonen with the Sharks this year, but San Jose elected to bring in Mackenzie Blackwood on a two-year deal worth $2.35 million earlier in the day.
Reimer was one of the biggest free-agent backup goaltenders on the market, with the 35-year-old boasting a 204-169-61 record with 28 shutouts and a .911 save percentage over 13 seasons. Reimer started his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010-11 before bouncing between San Jose, Florida, Carolina and back to San Jose for the past two years.
The Red Wings have Ville Husso signed for two more years at $4.75 million, with Sebastian Cossa being the lone minor league goalie signed right now. The Wings currently have $25 million in cap space with 12 forwards, five defensemen and two goaltenders signed so far.
The Red Wings missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, finishing seventh in the Atlantic. Most expect the Red Wings to continue the upswing as the team builds a solid foundation, but making the playoffs in arguably the most difficult division could be a challenge.
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