Buffalo Sabres training camp: James Reimer’s mindset, Bowen Byram standing out and more

BUFFALO, N.Y. — James Reimer has been an NHL mainstay since the 2011-12 season, playing for five different teams and starting at least 20 games in each season. Now the 36-year-old goalie has a chance to extend that streak with a sixth team after signing a $1 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres this summer.

"Another new spot," Reimer said with a smile. "I'm trying to collect all the jerseys. I'm getting close."

This situation is a different one for Reimer, though. The Sabres have two young goalies that they value. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a breakout season in 2023-24 and earned a five-year extension worth $4.75 million per season. And Devon Levi started 21 NHL games last season while also spending time in the AHL, showing potential that has matched his hype as a prospect. When the Sabres broke up their practice groups at the start of training camp, Luukkonen and Levi were the two goalies skating with the NHL group while Reimer was with the second practice group that consisted mostly of AHLers and prospects.

That puts Reimer in a position where his path to playing time isn't guaranteed. Early indications at training camp point to Levi being the backup to open the season. Lindy Ruff has indicated he thinks he will need two goalies playing closer to an even split, so it's not a lock that Luukkonen will approach 55 starts like he did a year ago. If Levi is ready to handle more NHL time this season, that represents a best case scenario for the Sabres.

But Reimer is also on a one-way contract, which means that salary is guaranteed even if he's in the AHL. That salary would increase the odds that Reimer could pass through waivers unclaimed, but that's dependent on the goalie situation around the NHL. If injuries leave a few teams in need of goalies, Reimer would be in demand after posting a .904 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average in 25 appearances for Detroit last season. That's also what made him a necessary addition for Buffalo. If Levi is still not ready for full-time NHL action or if one of Levi or Luukkonen misses time due to injury, having an experienced goalie like Reimer is a nice insurance plan.

"Just give me a chance, coach," Reimer said with a laugh. "Just put me in. I love this game, I love this position and I love working and trying to get better. Even this year I was making tweaks to my game to try to make myself faster, stronger, quicker, you name it. I had a really good summer and feel really good about my game right now with some of the adjustments I made. My mindset has never really been to ride it out and let it go. If I'm here, it's for a purpose. It's to get better and to win hockey games and help my teammates. That's my mindset."

Reimer knows he's not likely to catch anyone on staff by surprise in training camp considering he has a decade and a half of NHL experience. The bigger variable for his role is how well the other two goalies play and whether they stay healthy. Reimer has just focused on trying to fit into a new city and locker room. He said he's struck by the friendliness of his Buffalo neighbors and how it seems everyone is trying to help each other. He's sensed a similar feel in the locker room. A few of his new teammates reached out over the summer, and Levi said he already struck up a friendship with Reimer during the offseason.

"The thing that sticks out is the excitement to get going," Reimer said of his new team. "This team has been sniffing for a couple of years now. I think everyone is collectively ready to bring their 'A' game. And that's an exciting time to be part of an organization."

Here are some more takeaways from Buffalo's early stretch of training camp, which included a scrimmage on Friday morning.

5. JJ Peterka seems locked in on the top line. That's where he finished last season, playing alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch . And that's where he's spent the entirety of the early portion of camp. He scored by beating Reimer clean with a perfect shot during the scrimmage. He looks like he's ready to pick up where he left off last season when he scored 28 goals. Ruff said he saw a "dynamic" scorer when he watched clips of Peterka's games from last season.

"You've got another guy on that line that can be just as dangerous if the coverage goes to Thompson or Tuch," Ruff said.

"For a guy that young to carry himself as well as he has when it comes to the physical part of the game, knowing where to be and some of the puck battles against bigger men have been really good puck battles," Ruff said. "I'm impressed with his overall play for being 18 years old."

"It's probably one of the issues that we have to put our arms around because we still gave up some big chances on just poor puck decisions," Ruff said. "He's inside that group that sometimes tries too many high-risk or one-on-one type plays, not necessarily on offense, but holding the puck in an area that's really dangerous and giving up a high-danger opportunity."