Should You Add James Reimer After His Rangers Contract?

Put James Reimer on your watchlist before spending a fantasy waiver claim. In a 10- or 12-team redraft league with two active goalie slots and limited bench space, his new Rangers contract is not enough to make him an automatic add or starter. Wait for an assigned start or a clearer workload unless your league’s goalie pool is unusually thin.

New York announced a one-year contract on October 25. Reimer had stopped all 35 shots in Hartford’s 2–0 win over Providence on October 23, his only game for the AHL club this season. That result supports his candidacy for NHL work; it does not project his save percentage against NHL opponents.

The opportunity is real, but the rotation is unsettled

The Rangers sent Spencer Martin to Hartford, and NHL.com reported that Dylan Garand had made eight consecutive starts following Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending injury. Coach Mike Sullivan said the staff would work out a plan for bringing Reimer into the mix. The report did not name Reimer the next starter or assign him a share of the remaining games.

For managers already rostering Garand, that creates workload uncertainty rather than an immediate instruction to drop him. Keep his recent starting role in view and check the next announced assignment. Do not assume either goalie has been promised a permanent job.

When a speculative add makes sense

In a deeper league with a spare third goalie spot, adding Reimer can be reasonable if confirmed starters are unavailable and the cost is a low-priority bench player. In points leagues, an actual start and your scoring for saves, wins and goals allowed matter more than the contract alone. In categories leagues, consider whether another start helps your matchup or puts save percentage and goals-against average at risk.

Do not drop an established starting goalie or spend a large share of your waiver budget solely on one AHL shutout. Reimer’s NHL workload, next assignment and first Rangers start remained unresolved in the reports checked at 12:51 a.m. EDT on October 26.

The Rangers host Los Angeles at 7 p.m. ET on October 26. The next meaningful check is the club’s game-day goalie announcement before your platform’s lineup lock. Follow the Reimer signing report for the transaction context, then make the start decision from the confirmed assignment.