For two experienced NHL goalies, Wednesday was providing a homecoming of sorts. For a third, it was a choice to be embarking upon a journey to continue his career on the other side of the hockey world.
The Buffalo Sabres were claiming goalie James Reimer on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Reimer and the Sabres agreed to a one-year contract worth $1 million when the veteran puckstopper was an unrestricted free agent in the summer. However, on Oct. 7, the Anaheim Ducks were claiming Reimer on waivers after goalie John Gibson was put out of the lineup with an attack of appendicitis.
With Gibson healthy and ready to return to action, the Ducks were placing Reimer on waivers on Tuesday. The Sabres were moving quickly to reclaim Reimer. It’s likely he’ll be installed as the backup to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and young Devon Levi will be sent to Rochester of the AHL to get more playing time and experience.
We have claimed goaltender James Reimer off of waivers from the Anaheim Ducks.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) November 13, 2024
Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets were claiming goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers from the Colorado Avalanche. He’d started the season with the Jets, but was claimed on waivers by the Avs on Oct. 11.
The third goalie moving in the hockey transactions was another former Jets puckstopper, Michael Hutchinson. He was signed to play for SaiPa of the SM-liiga, Finland’s top pro league.
Hutchinson was in training camp with the New Jersey Devils on a PTO but wasn’t offered a contract. He played last season with the Detroit Red Wings, appearing in one game.
If you’re keeping score at home, Hutchinson played for six NHL teams over
The Jets are Kahkonen’s fifth team in six NHL seasons. Buffalo is the seventh team to employ Reimer over 16 seasons. And for Hutchinson, there were six NHL stops in 11 seasons prior to his decision to make the move to Europe.