Reimer’s signature means Maple Leaf and Joseph Woll – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leaf
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that they signed experienced goalkeeper James Reimer for a professional selection (PTO). The signing came a few days after learning that Joseph Woll left the team for personal family reasons. The two news appeared to be jointly announced, raising questions about the duration of Wall’s absence.
Reimer’s signature “No advice”
When Reimer signed up for a contract that seemed to be leaving with Woll, the fans’ direct reaction was that the two events were connected. Despite this, head coach Craig Berube quickly clarified that Reimer’s signing had nothing to do with Woll’s situation. “No, there is no suggestion for this.” When asked whether addition is concerned about long-term problems, Beluber said. “It’s just depth.”
Berube has never met Reimner in person, but he praised the goalkeeper and the NHL experience. “He’s an NHL goalkeeper. He’s an NHL goalkeeper,” said the Maple Leafs head coach. It is expected that Reimer will join LEAFS on Saturday and will be used primarily as short-term insurance.
From there, anything can happen.
It would be a positive coincidence that almost nothing had been needed if Reimer stood on Woll’s head when he left.
Will Ye Zi let the reception sign?
The signing continues Toronto’s pattern of turning to experienced goalkeepers to bridge the gap in the lineup. As Athlon Sports noted, Leafs relied on Matt Murray as a backup role in the 2022-23 season. During the 2023-24 campaign, Martin Jones was attacked during Woll and Ilya Samsonov’s injuries. It’s hardly the first time Leaf adds another goalkeeper just in case.
Reimer’s PTO offers a cost-effective solution for the 2025-26 season, while top prospect Dennis Hildeby continues his development while now assumed starter Anthony Stolarz is still in talks with the team for postponement.
Related: NHL Rumor: Barkov Out, Reimer Joins Maple Leafs, Walman Close
For Toronto, the introduction of Reimer brought people that the organization knew very well. He was selected by Toronto in 2006 and spent six seasons with the team. He is their playoff goalkeeper and has played in 207 regular season games, saving a percentage of .914 and an average score of 2.83. What he still leaves in the tank is unclear, but he has performed well in the struggling Buffalo Sabres in 22 games in 2024-25, and if Leaf feels he has a game, there are few options that are more suitable for the plug if needed.
Reimer understands what this is. He has traveled around the NHL since his last game with the Maple Leafs, playing for six NHL teams. At this point in his career, he knew he would be given spot responsibility and that his campaign with the organization could be short-lived. His signing of a PTO in Toronto does not guarantee anything to him. At the same time, the door may be opened, depending on the team’s network.
It would be too early to replace Reimer with WOLL. And if Wall is long-term for some reason, then Leaf may need a more obvious upgrade than Reimer. For now, Berube seems to be showing that Reimer is not only a quick solution or temporary solution, but more of a plan C that might appear on Toronto radar, regardless of what happened to Woll.
