NHL News just reported that the Rangers have placed James Reimer on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination.
It's the final chapter of a short and strange stay in New York. Reimer is 38, and he signed with the Rangers on Oct 25.
NHL News noted that Reimer played one NHL period for the club and gave up 3 goals on 8 shots.
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That's the entire résumé of his 2026-27 season so far: 1 GP, and no chance to settle in. The deal was a one-year contract, so there was never a long runway.
The move follows a James Reimer waiver placement on Thursday that started the whole process. Reimer then cleared, which opened the door to an assignment to Hartford of the AHL, as we covered in a Rangers waiver decision piece on Friday.
Instead of the minors, New York chose the cleaner break. Termination means the Rangers are done with this experiment.
What the Rangers' goalie situation looks like now
The timing matters because the team is playing decent hockey at home and shaky hockey away. New York sits 9-7-1, third in the Metropolitan Division, and carries a 1-5-1 road record into Seattle tonight.
The Rangers won their last game 3-2 against the Flyers on Thursday, and they come in on a two-game winning streak. Mike Sullivan's group has a +2 goal differential, which tells you how thin the margin has been.
Signing a veteran on Oct 25 and cutting ties within two weeks looks like a plan that never got off the ground. Bringing in a 38-year-old goalie who gave up 3 goals in one period and then having to walk it all back is a front-office misstep, plain and simple. Chris Drury will want a cleaner answer next time the crease needs help.
As for Reimer, he has 539 career regular-season games, so a market for his services may still exist elsewhere. The sheet lists no injury, and nothing indicates where he goes next.
For the Rangers, the focus turns to Seattle tonight, then to finding out whether the crease holds up on the road.
Quick hits
EDMONTON OILERS: Edmonton placed Atro Leppanen on waivers just hours before tonight's game against the Canucks. A routine-looking move, but the timing is worth watching.
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VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Zach Hyman and Devon Levi are back in the Oilers lineup tonight against Vancouver. That's a real boost for Edmonton, and the Canucks will feel it.
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ST-LOUIS BLUES: Jim Montgomery is shaking up his forwards for tonight's game in Nashville, with Connor McMichael moving to center. A new look up front.
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COLORADO AVALANCHE: Jared Bednar will become the 48th coach in NHL history to reach 800 games tonight when the Avalanche host the Red Wings. Rare company.
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DALLAS STARS: Miro Heiskanen will not play for the Stars tonight against San Jose. That's a big hole on the blue line.
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Did the Rangers make a mistake signing James Reimer in the first place?
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Maple Leafs confirm a goaltending move before Montreal, and their next decision is worth watching
