Sharks replace Jones with goalie Reimer
The Sharks have their new goaltender — and their old one found a new home.
Former Carolina goalie James Reimer, who played eight games for the Sharks in the 201516 season, signed a twoyear undisclosed contract to return to San Jose on Wednesday. He’ll replace longtime goalie Martin Jones, who was cut loose by the Sharks on Tuesday.
Jones landed in Philadelphia, where the Flyers gave him a $2 million, oneyear contract.
Last season, Reimer was part of a threegoalie contingent that combined for a .920 save percentage that ranked third in the league. The Hurricanes got rid of them all, moving Alex Nedeljkovic to Detroit for a thirdround pick and letting Petr Mrazek, who went to Toronto for $11.4 million over three years, and Reimer leave.
Carolina signed Frederik Andersen (Toronto) and Antti Raanta (Arizona) to replace them.
Reimer appeared in 22 games for the Hurricanes in 202021, putting together a 1552 record with a 2.66 goalsagainst average and a .906 save percentage. In his 11 NHL seasons, he has a 17313143 record, 2.79 GAA and .913 save percentage in 385 career games with Toronto, San Jose, Florida and Carolina.
More than a dozen goalies changed places in the opening hours of free agency Wednesday.
Vezina Trophy finalist Philipp Grubauer got the most lucrative contract, leaving Colorado to sign for $35.4 million over six years with expansion Seattle. The Kraken then flipped one of the goalies they picked in the expansion draft, Vitek Vanecek, to Washington for a 2023 secondround pick.
Colorado recovered by trading for Darcy Kuemper from Arizona.
Braden Holtby, who was bought out by Vancouver, signed for $2 million with Dallas.
Carolina’s return for Nedeljkovic also included the rights to goalie Jonathan Bernier, but he signed an $8.25 million, twoyear deal with New Jersey. Linus Ullmark left Buffalo for a $20 million, fouryear contract with Boston, Carter Hutton (Buffalo) went to Arizona, Brian Elliott (Philadelphia) became Tampa Bay’s backup and Jaroslav Halak (Boston) replaced Holtby with the Canucks.
In other moves, defenseman Dougie Hamilton got the biggest contract given on the first day of free agency, agreeing with New Jersey on a $63 million, sevenyear deal . ... Phillip Danault signed with Los Angeles (sixyears, $33 million) . ... Seattle added forwards Jaden Schwartz (five years, $27.5 million), and Alexander Wennberg (three years, $13.5 million) . ... Ryan Suter joined Dallas (four years, $14.6 million). ... Vegas resigned defenseman Alec Martinez (three years, $15.75 million) . ... Anaheim resigned captain Ryan Getzlaf to a oneyear deal . ... Forward Zach Hyman signed a sevenyear, $38.5 million contract with Edmonton, which also traded Ethan Bear to Carolina for Warren Foegele . ... Minnesota native Alex Goligoski (Arizona) agreed to terms on a oneyear, $5 million contract with the Wild, who also agreed to terms with center Frederick Gaudreau (Pittsburgh) to a twoyear, $2.4 million contract and signed defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (Edmonton) to a twoyear, $4.5 million deal . ... Nashville is keeping forward Mikael Granlund (four years, $20 million).
The muchanticipated capmandated breakup of twotime defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay continued. Forward Blake Coleman signed a sixyear, $29.4 million deal with Calgary. Defenseman David Savard signed a fouryear, $14 million contract with Montreal. Tampa Bay did extend No. 1 center Brayden Point for eight years through 2030 for $76 million.