Former Buffalo Sabres goalie James Reimer has officially landed a contract for the 2025-26 season.
The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed Reimer to a one-year, $850,000 contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Senators signed Reimer to an American Hockey League (AHL) professional tryout (PTO) last week, and the expectation was that he would end up getting an NHL contract from the Atlantic Division club. Now, that has officially come to fruition with this latest news, and the 37-year-old veteran goaltender is set to continue his NHL career as a member of the Senators because of it.
Reimer played in one AHL game for the Belleville Senators during his PTO. During it, he allowed six goals on 28 shots in an overtime loss to the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
Reimer will now be looking to provide the Senators' goaltending with a bit of a boost. Fellow former Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark is currently on a leave of absence, while Leevi Meralainen has struggled. As a result, it is understandable that the Senators have brought in Reimer for more insurance.
In 22 games this past season with the Sabres, Reimer had a 10-8-2 record, a 2.90 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage, and one shutout.
The NHL has celebrated the remarkable career of Sergei Fedorov, highlighting his dazzling dekes, acrobatic goals, and jaw-dropping no-look passes that left fans and defenders alike in awe. As Hockeytown prepares to honor Fedorov by retiring his iconic No. 91, we take a closer look back at some of the greatest moments that defined his storied career. Moments that showcased not only his incredible skill, but also his intelligence, versatility, and sheer impact on the game of hockey.
Through‑the‑Legs Assist to Kozlov vs. Sharks
One of Fedorov’s most memorable highlight‑reel plays came early in his career against the San Jose Sharks when he made an improvised through‑the‑legs pass to teammate Vyacheslav Kozlov on the rush. Instead of shooting, Fedorov manipulated the puck between his own skates and threaded it to Kozlov for a goal, a play that instantly made highlight reels and showed off his elite puck control and vision that helped redefine offensive creativity in the NHL.
Game‑Winning Playoff Goal vs. Rangers (Capitals)
After leaving Detroit and joining the Washington Capitals, Fedorov delivered one of his most dramatic clutch goals in a playoff series against the New York Rangers. In Game 7, with the series on the line, Fedorov fired a quick wrister over Henrik Lundqvist’s shoulder late in the third period to give Washington a decisive lead. This goal became one of the defining moments of his later career, demonstrating that even after leaving Detroit he could still produce at the highest level in critical playoff situations.
Bardown Goal vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
In a classic Original Six rivalry, Fedorov put on a show against the Toronto Maple Leafs when he executed a sharp deke that left a Leafs defenseman on the ice, then cut to the net and fired a bardown shot. The goal stood out not only for the finish itself but for the confidence and skill he displayed in tight traffic against a tough divisional rival, adding to his legacy as one of the most skilled forwards of his era.
Fake Slap Shot, Clever Goal vs. Phoenix Coyotes
Fedorov’s hockey IQ shone in a matchup with the Phoenix Coyotes when he faked a slap shot from the point, causing the goalie and defenders to react prematurely, then pulled the puck back and slid a low shot along the ice and into the net. This kind of deception and precision was a hallmark of Fedorov’s game, blending patience with execution.
Fedorov turned transition hockey into highlight material when he stole the puck from a Dallas Stars defender and went in alone on net. As goalie Artūrs Irbe charged to disrupt the play, Fedorov deftly pulled the puck across and slid it into the open net. This goal captured his elite speed and breakaway knack, often turning defensive plays into instant offense.
Ice‑Slide Goal vs. Colorado Avalanche
During the Red Wings’ 70th anniversary season, Fedorov delivered a memorable goal against the Colorado Avalanche. After receiving a pass in the low slot, he was tripped up mid‑play but still managed to finish the scoring attempt while sliding on the ice, batting the puck in despite the awkward angle. The goal captured his relentlessness, competitive fire, and ability to finish even when plays broke down.
Coast‑to‑Coast Goal vs. Ottawa Senators
One of Fedorov’s most electrifying solo efforts came versus the Ottawa Senators when he took the puck in his own zone and skated it coast to coast, beating multiple defenders with quick dekes before sliding the puck through the goalie’s five‑hole. Plays like this demonstrated not just speed but an uncanny ability to judge timing and space, making him a constant threat the moment he touched the puck.
One‑Handed Bat‑In vs. Vancouver Canucks
Fedorov’s hand‑eye coordination was on full display in a game against the Vancouver Canucks when he batted a puck out of mid‑air with one hand while in the slot and directed it past the goalie. While specific archived box scores for this moment are sparse, fan recollections and highlight reels have kept this play alive as one of Fedorov’s most technically impressive finishes, a goal that seemed to defy normal scoring mechanics.
Top‑Shelf Breakthrough vs. St. Louis Blues
In a dynamic attack against the St. Louis Blues, Fedorov quickly shed a defenseman, even slipping the puck through his legs, to turn a rush into a fast break. He then elevated a precise shot top shelf over the goalie’s glove, highlighting his combination of speed, stickhandling, and shot accuracy. Goals of this type were common from Fedorov during his prime, which helped him become one of the league’s most feared scoring threats.
Five‑Goal Night and Overtime Winner vs. Washington Capitals (December 26, 1996)
Fedorov’s defining moment came on December 26, 1996, when he scored all five goals for the Detroit Red Wings in a 5‑4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals at Joe Louis Arena. He became the first player in NHL history to score every goal for his team in a game in which at least five goals were scored, a feat that stood as one of the most remarkable individual performances in league history.
After tallying four goals in regulation, he capped the night by scoring the overtime winner at 2:39 of OT on a wrist shot from between the circles, assisted by Vladimir Konstantinov. The performance was the second‑highest individual goal total in a game by a Red Wing and remains one of the franchise’s most iconic single‑game efforts.
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Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer is officially an Ottawa Senator after playing just one game with the AHL's Belleville Senators on a professional tryout.
The veteran goaltender signed a one-year, $850,000 deal (which'll end after this season) with the Senators on Monday morning. It comes one day after his game with Belleville, where he allowed six goals on 28 shots in a loss to the Rochester Americans.
Reimer joins the Senators as they're without their number-one goaltender, Linus Ullmark, who's been on a personal leave of absence from the team since Dec. 28.
Before joining AHL Belleville, Reimer played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup. He finished the tournament with a 1-1 record and a .906 save percentage in two games, with Canada being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sparta Prague.
"I haven't had that much fun in a long time. It's been a special experience to be back here," Reimer said one day after signing his PTO with the Maple Leafs. "A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions. And really enjoying the moment and just enjoying being back. It's a lot of fun."
The Maple Leafs claimed Cayden Primeau off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens, meaning they didn't need Reimer's services anymore.
We all know the history of Reimer with Toronto, though: A 2006 fourth-round pick, who played 207 games, and finished with an 85-76-23 record, and a stellar .914 save percentage, from 2010 to 2016.
Arizona tightened its hold on the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll on Monday while Vanderbilt's unbeaten season has landed the Commodores in the top 10. A week ago, Arizona led then-No. 2 Michigan by a single point for the top spot to barely avoid what would have been only the second-ever tie at No. 1 in the poll's 78-year history. Iowa State got the other and moved up one spot to No. 2, followed by UConn.
The Vancouver Canucks will be without their leading goal scorer on Monday. As reported by Thomas Drance of The Athletic, Kiefer Sherwood has sustained an injury and won't play against the Montréal Canadiens. Drance also reported that, as per Head Coach Adam Foote, Sherwood is listed as day-to-day, but "could miss as much as a week."
Sherwood is not just Vancouver's goal leader, but also ranks second in the NHL with hits. His absence will be significant as he plays both on the penalty kill and the power play. Sherwood has not missed a game this season and is one of five players who have skated in all 44 games this year.
The added layer to this injury is that Sherwood's name continually comes up regarding trade rumours. The 30-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and is projected to be traded before the March 6 deadline. Based on Foote's comments, this injury appears minor, which is a positive for the team.
Jan 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (44) reacts to the loss against the Boston Bruins in overtime at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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Two teams at opposite ends of the standings meet tonight in Indianapolis when Payton Pritchard and the Celtics (24-14) take on Pascal Siakam and the Pacers (8-31).
Boston sits just ½ game behind the Knicks in the Atlantic Division while the Pacers languish in last in the Central, 20.5 games behind the Pistons. The success of the Celtics has been a surprise considering Jayson Tatum (Achilles) remains sidelined, but Jaylen Brown’s play has elevated him to the fringe of MVP consideration. Some may argue Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles)should garner some MVP attention as well. The Pacers’ point guard has not played this season, but his value to Indiana has never been more obvious. He has been sidelined since last season’s NBA Finals and without him, as their record indicates, the Pacers have been dreadful.
All that said, Brown (back) is likely out tonight which obviously changes the handicap and puts more of the onus on offense on Derrick White and Payton Pritchard. With that in mind, lets take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including thelatest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Celtics vs. Pacers
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game odds for the Celtics at the Pacers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Boston Celtics (-230), Indiana Pacers (+190)
Spread: Celtics -5.5
Total: 226.5 points
This game opened Celtics -6.5 with the Total set at 224.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups
Celtics
PG Payton Pritchard
SG Derrick White
SF Hugo Gonzalez
PF Sam Hauser
C Neemias Queta
Pacers
PG Andrew Nembhard
SG Johnny Furphy
PF Aaron Nesmith
PF Pascal Siakam
C Jay Huff
Important stats, trends and insights: Celtics at Pacers
Boston has won 8 of their last 10 outright against Indiana but the Pacers are 7-3 ATS in those 10 games
The OVER has cashed in 8 of the last 10 games between the Celtics and the Pacers
The Celtics are 12-7 on the Moneyline on the road this season
The Celtics are 20-18 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 17 of the Celtics’ 38 games this season
The Pacers are 6-15 at home on the Moneyline this season
The Pacers are 20-19 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 14 of the Pacers’ 40 games this season
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Jay Croucher’s (@croucherJD) Favorite Plays: Payton Pritchard OVER 6.5 Assists AND Derrick White OVER 3.5 3-Pointers
"I don't really understand how it's even possible, but Boston has had the league's #1 offense for 2 months now, and Payton Pritchard's growth as a playmaker is a key reason why. Jaylen Brown is out tonight, and with Brown off the floor Pritchard averages 7.6 assists per 36 minutes. I expect him to hit the over tonight.
Who are those assists going to? How about Derrick White. I'm taking White to make at least 4 threes tonight. White attempted 17 threes last game - that's a lot - and his usage climbs from 21% to 32% without Jaylen Brown, so I expect him to ramp up his scoring as Boston's #1 option tonight.
You can check out my plays for tonight’s games by searching “Peacock” on the DraftKings Sportsbook App."
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Celtics & Pacers game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Pacers -5.5
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 226.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
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Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) - Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Jones, who has been injured since the end of October, was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday for a conditioning assignment, which can last for up to two weeks. He'll get to play in some games for the Penguins' AHL affiliate since he's been out for over two months.
Jones has played in seven games this season, compiling one point. He was signed by the Penguins as a free agent over the summer.
With Alex Bregman joining the Chicago Cubs in free agency, the Boston Red Sox’ offseason has gone from underwhelming to unmitigated disaster.
Bregman signed a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday, two months after opting out of the final two years of his Red Sox pact. Boston’s offer was reportedly $165 million over five years with significant deferrals and worth $2 million less in average annual value than Chicago’s deal, which also includes a full no-trade clause.
The Red Sox’ failure to re-sign Bregman has left the club with a massive question mark at third base. One year after signing Bregman — a deal that ultimately led to Rafael Devers being shipped to San Francisco — Boston will enter the 2026 campaign with neither star player. It’s the worst-case scenario for Boston and a major letdown after an encouraging 2025 season.
So, where do the Red Sox go from here? It’s still possible to rebound from Bregman’s departure, but the options are dwindling.
Below are Boston’s four options for replacing Bregman, plus a “rating” and “likelihood” for each on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best). The higher the rating, the more the move makes sense. The higher the likelihood, the more we can picture the move happening.
Option No. 1 – Sign Bo Bichette
Rating: 9/10
Likelihood: 4/10
Bichette is the no-brainer Plan B, but it’s hard to imagine the Red Sox spending big for the 27-year-old. They’ve shown zero willingness to overextend themselves for top-tier free agents, and Bichette is reportedly seeking a deal worth around $300 million. If his market is anywhere near that figure, that’s a non-starter.
Still, the Red Sox should be aggressive for Bichette as he’s the only truly appealing option left. He’d give Boston the right-handed infield bat it desperately needs while stabilizing what has been a revolving door at the second base position. With Bichette at second, Boston could comfortably roll with former top prospect Marcelo Mayer at third.
Suarez’s right-handed power at Fenway Park would be fun to watch, but it sure would be ironic to sign one of the worst defensive third basemen in the league right after shipping Devers out of town.
Infield defense has been a consistent problem for Boston in recent years, and putting Suarez at the hot corner would only worsen those issues. Sure, he might hit 40-plus homers, but the soon-to-be 35-year-old will also strike out in about 30 percent of his plate appearances. For a lineup that already strikes out at a high clip — and one that added another strikeout-prone hitter in Willson Contreras — Suarez simply isn’t the right fit.
Option No. 3 – Trade for a second or third baseman
Rating: 7/10
Likelihood: 4/10
The Red Sox haven’t spent a cent on a big-league free agent this offseason, but they’ve added payroll with a handful of trades. Will Breslow stay active on the trade market to fill the infield void?
If Boston pursues another trade, St. Louis Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan and Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner stand out as potential options. The Red Sox reportedly showed interest in Donovan earlier in the offseason, and Hoerner emerged as a trade candidate after Chicago landed Bregman.
Neither profiles as the big bat the Red Sox need, but beggars can’t be choosers at this point. The problem is Breslow doesn’t have many valuable trade chips at his disposal outside of young lefties Peyton Tolle and Connelly Early, and parting ways with either of them for Donovan or a similar option would be foolish.
Option No. 4 – Stick with internal options, upgrade elsewhere
Rating: 3/10
Likelihood: 8/10
It’s beginning to look like Breslow and the Red Sox are ready to roll into spring training with their current infield group and hope for the best. That would likely mean Mayer at third base with a combination, David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, and Ceddanne Rafaela at second. Perhaps former top prospect Kristian Campbell could spend some time at second as well, but he exclusively played outfield and DH while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico.
If this is the route the Red Sox decide to go, they could allocate their resources toward talented players who don’t necessarily fill a position of need. For example, outfielder Kyle Tucker remains on the market as the No. 1 free agent in this year’s class. Boston’s outfield logjam makes such a move improbable, but Breslow could theoretically add Tucker and trade Jarren Duran and/or Wilyer Abreu for a haul. Again, this scenario is extremely unlikely.
Boston could also shift its focus back to improving the pitching staff. The starting rotation is already solid, but Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are still out there in free agency. The Red Sox have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Milwaukee Brewers righty Freddy Peralta, who would immediately slot in as the club’s No. 2 starter.
Senators GM Steve Staios announced on Monday that the team has signed goaltender James Reimer to a one-way deal for the rest of this season with an average annual value of $850,000.
The 37-year-old veteran made his debut for the organization on Sunday. He gave up six goals on 28 shots for the AHL's Belleville Senators who came away with a 6-5 overtime loss to Rochester. The hope is that Reimer can help stabilize shaky goaltending and keep the Senators from falling completely out of the race even before the Olympic break happens.
He joined the Senators for practice on Monday morning in Ottawa as they prepare for a home game against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.
James Reimer is on the ice in Ottawa this morning after signing an NHL contract. pic.twitter.com/k8G55qxwBx
Reimer has had a solid NHL career, playing in 525 regular season games, with a record of 225-187-65, a goals-against average of 2.89 and a save percentage of .910. He's played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Buffalo Sabres. In 22 games with the Sabres last season, he went 10-8-2 with a goals-against average of 2.90 and a save percentage of .901.
Over the holidays, he got into two games for Team Canada in the Spengler Cup tournament in Davos, Switzerland. Canada fell to HC Sparta Prague 5-1 in the quarterfinals, though it was former Carleton Place Canadians goalie Connor Hughes who was chosen to play in that elimination game.
Reimer signed a PTO with the Leafs ahead of the 2025-26 season, but was released by the team in October.
With the Senators recently dealing with controversy over a false social media rumour about one of their goalies, Reimer is a goalie who arrives with some past controversy of his own. In 2023 with the San Jose Sharks, he chose not to wear a pregame warmup jersey in support of the team’s week-long “Pride Night” festivities.
With Linus Ullmark away from the team on a personal leave of absence, backup Leevi Merilainen has not shown the form he displayed last season. It's quite likely that Merilainen is sent to Belleville to get his confidence back at some point when Ullmark returns, though much will depend on how much Reimer has left in the tank.
Goaltending has been a large part of why the Senators have lost four straight and seven of their last nine games.
Undefeated Indiana did more than just justify its place as the top seed in the College Football Playoff with its lopsided rout of Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
