NHL
The Maple Leafs signed goaltender James Reimer to a PTO on Friday as they look for support in the crease following Joseph Woll’s leave of absence from the team.
Reimer, 37, began his NHL career with the Leafs after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 draft by Toronto. The fan favourite spent parts of six seasons in Toronto, including backstopping the Leafs through a memorable seven-game first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins in 2014. Reimer is a veteran of 525 NHL regular-season games for seven different teams. He spent the 2024-25 season with the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks. Reimer posted a .896 save percentage over 24 games last season.
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Reimer was not present at the Leafs’ practice Friday.
Reimer’s addition suggests the Leafs remain unsure when Woll will return. The Leafs said Woll’s departure was due to a family matter, and there is no timeline for his return.
Likely starter Anthony Stolarz has yet to play a preseason game. Dennis Hildeby, 24, has played the majority of minutes through the Leafs’ three preseason games so far. He has looked strong throughout while assuming the role of the Leafs’ third goalie. Still, with just six career NHL games, there are justifiable questions about how much Hildeby can be counted on should Woll’s absence run throughout the regular season.
That’s why the Leafs turned to Reimer. His transition to Toronto should be relatively easy. He has spent more time with the Leafs than any other NHL team. Reimer’s most memorable NHL hockey came as part of a Leafs tandem, largely with Jonathan Bernier, from 2010 to 2016. Reimer’s best full NHL season, statistically, came in 2012-13. He posted a .924 save percentage over 33 games. Reimer then started all seven games against the Bruins during the 2013 playoffs, the Leafs’ lone playoff appearance between 2004 and 2017. Reimer stood on his head at times, with a .923 save percentage.
The Leafs traded Reimer to the San Jose Sharks in 2016 as part of an organizational rebuild. It is unknown when Reimer will begin practicing with Toronto.
(Photo: Marc DesRosiers / USA Today via Imagn Images)
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Joshua Kloke is a staff writer who has covered the Maple Leafs and Canadian soccer for The Athletic since 2016. Previously, he was a freelance writer for various publications, including Sports Illustrated. Follow Joshua on Twitter @joshuakloke
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