Ottawa Senators Sign James Reimer to One-Year Contract

The Ottawa Senators signed veteran goaltender James Reimer to a one-year contract on Monday, adding experienced depth to their beleaguered netminding corps amid a season-long goaltending slump. The deal, worth $850,000 for the remainder of the 2025-26 National Hockey League season, comes as the team grapples with the absence of starter Linus Ullmark and ranks last in the league with a .868 save percentage.

General Manager Steve Staios announced the signing, which addresses immediate concerns following Ullmark's personal leave of absence that began in late December. Ullmark attended the Senators' practice at the Canadian Tire Centre on Monday but did not participate on the ice, and his return timeline remains unclear. Backup Leevi Merilainen has shouldered most of the workload in Ullmark's stead, posting uneven results, including a recent game where he allowed eight goals in a loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Hunter Shepard has served as the third option. Since Ullmark's departure, Ottawa has dropped five of its last seven games, putting its playoff hopes in jeopardy despite a top-10 offense that averages 2.7 goals per 60 minutes at even strength and performs well on the power play.