Does the signing of James Reimer impact the Sabres' plans for Devon Levi? Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News answers a reader's question in this Sabres mailbag video
The Buffalo Sabres' goaltending depth took a hit Monday when veteran James Reimer was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks had a need in goal with starter John Gibson down due to an appendectomy and reached out to pluck Reimer, 36, off the Buffalo roster. Reimer was 11-8-2 with a 3.11 goals-against average and .904 save percentage last season in 25 games for the Detroit Red Wings.
With Gibson out, the Ducks only have rookie Calle Clang to play behind Lukas Dostal and need more help in goal. Anaheim will be Reimer's sixth NHL team. The Sabres signed him to a one-year, $1 million contract on July 1, looking to have him augment Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi on the organizational depth chart.
The hope was Reimer, who has not played in the minor leagues since 2011, could get through waivers and go to Rochester so he would be available in case of an injury in Buffalo or struggles by Levi.
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Reimer traveled to Germany and Prague with the team as a third goalie, but general manager Kevyn Adams made it clear prior to the trip that the team wasn't interested in keeping three on its roster, as it did for much of last season.
With Reimer gone, the starter in Rochester will likely be free-agent signee Felix Sandstrom, and the backup will be longtime organizational goalie Michael Houser. Sandstrom, however, struggled badly in training camp and a Rochester team that is pretty stacked in front of the net might need more help in the goal.
No other Buffalo players were claimed on Monday, meaning winger Lukas Rousek and defenseman Kale Clague both made it back to Rochester. The Sabres were allowed to have a 27-man roster for the trip to Prague and had to drop to 23 by Monday at 5 p.m.
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