The Detroit Red Wings sign goaltender James Reimer to one-year deal

The Detroit Red Wings first signing of the open UFA market arrived early Saturday afternoon, when the Wings inked goaltender James Reimer, last of the San Jose Sharks, to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

Because Reimer is 35 at the time the deal is signed, he cannot be bought out per the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement.  However, given that we are talking about a one-year contract, that is unlikely to be a concern.

Reimer has played 13 seasons in the NHL, amassing 204 wins in 476 career appearances, with stops in Toronto, Florida, Carolina, and then with the Sharks.  For his career, he has a .911 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average.

Last year in San Jose, Reimer posted an .890 SV% and 3.48 GAA, which is not exactly encouraging, but given the lowly state of the 2022-23 Sharks, it's understandable if not entirely forgivable.

Reimer has never played more than 44 games in a season, which he did back in 2016-17 for the Panthers.  Presumably, the Red Wings like him as a back-up to starter Ville Husso.  The deal would also seem to mark the end of Alex Nedeljkovic era in Detroit.

Reimer also brought negative attention to himself and his team in late March for his refusal to participate in the Sharks' pride initiative by wearing a rainbow jersey for warm-ups, citing vaguely defined religious objections.  

This was a profoundly disappointing decision and eventually contributed to the NHL's choice not to bring back the initiative (which helped raise money for LGBTQ+ related charities in local markets by auctioning off the signed jerseys after they'd been worn) this season.  The process re-affirmed the NHL's unwillingness to promote a welcoming atmosphere in the sport.