James Reimer is entering the second season of his five-year, $17 million contract he signed with the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2016.
The 29-year-old ‘tender was thrust into the No. 1 role last season after starter Roberto Luongo was shut down with a hip injury in early March. Despite the Panthers missing the playoffs following their highest point total in franchise history, Reimer played the highest amount of games in his six-year career at 39, and filled in favorably with a .920 save percentage over the campaign. Reimer and his wife April welcomed the birth of their first born, Neveah, into the world during last year's all-star break.
Although nose-diving at the end of the season, the Cats were in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks to Reimer holding the fort in goal.
With the new season upon us, Reimer has once again turned to David Gunnarsson, the Swedish goalie mask designer that paints numerous masks around the NHL. Reimer is sticking with his signature Optimus Reim theme, while including a robotic cat.
The mask even has his own name: "Optimus Reim, a.k.a The Power Panther 2.0"
The former Leaf and Shark could take over as starter down in Flordia this season if he continues where he left off from last season. Luongo, who’s entering his 18th season in the league at age 38, is still putting up solid numbers with the club, but needs to stay healthy if he wants to remain as the Panthers' number one netminder.
We’re happy to see Luongo and Reimer returning to the Cats’ crease together this season, as Luongo was left unprotected in the expansion draft. The two goaltenders are two of the most likeable goaltenders in the NHL, and might be the most ammicable combo in the entire league.
(h/t to David Gunnarsson)