After ending season on tear, will Sabres’ James Reimer retire or keep playing?

BUFFALO – James Reimer’s superb goaltending down the stretch for the Sabres showed he possesses the talent to return for his 16th season.

Even at 37, an advanced age, he ranked among the NHL’s hottest netminders, compiling a gaudy 8-2-0 record from March 23 until the season ended, including a career-long seven-game winning streak. His win total during that torrid stretch was tied for first in the league with Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, a Vezina Trophy finalist.

Reimer’s exploits kept an ineffective Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who signed a five-year contract to continue his gig as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, on the bench for 10 of the final 14 games.

If the Sabres want an experienced goalie next season, Reimer, if he chooses to play another year, would possibly be their top choice.

Of course, those are two big ifs.

After Reimer signed a one-year, $1 million contract in free agency last year, they utilized the tandem of Luukkonen, 26, and Devon Levi, 23, at the beginning of the season, making the popular veteran the odd man out.

The Anaheim Ducks claimed Reimer, who hasn’t played in the minors since 2010-11, off waivers in October. The Sabres reclaimed him in November, allowing them to assign Levi to the Rochester Americans.

It’s unclear how the Sabres will handle their goaltending in 2025-26. Luukkonen struggled for much of the season, regressing after a breakout campaign. Levi, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the AHL’s elite goalies.

The Sabres could decide the youngster is ready to graduate to the NHL for good.

Levi enjoyed a dynamic regular season with Rochester, compiling a 25-13-4 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and seven shutouts in 42 games. So far, he has registered a 2-0 mark and a 35-save shutout in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Meanwhile, Reimer, who has played for seven NHL teams, plans to take time to think about his future.

“I wish I had an answer for you,” he said after making 21 saves April 17 in the Sabres’ 5-4 season-ending win over the Philadelphia Flyers in KeyBank Center. “… I’ve really enjoyed playing hockey this year and every year I love the game, but there always comes a time when it’s going to be done. I feel like me and my wife and (children) for the last couple years, we’ve been kind of taking it one year at a time.

“I think that’s kind of the mindset here where we’re going to take the next couple weeks and see how we’re all doing and what we feel we should do next year.”

Reimer said he “had some real special moments here with these guys and this team.”

“It’s been a really enjoyable career, really blessed I’ve been able to live my dream,” he said. “Yeah, I’ve always just tried to treat it like a gift and make the most of it, so we’ll see what the future holds.”

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called Reimer “the consummate pro.”

“He played great hockey,” he said. “I have nothing but admiration for the year he had. I mean, to get picked up, to end up in Anaheim, to come back, to be a big part of putting together a nice run for us, he gave our club a lot of confidence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him have a bad day.”

Amerks coach Mike Leone told reporters Tuesday in Rochester that rookie defenseman Vsevolod Komarov, who was injured in a fight Sunday afternoon with Syracuse Crunch center Jack Finley, is “doing better but in concussion protocol and will miss some time.”

Game 3 of the North Division semifinal is Thursday in Syracuse. The Amerks lead the best-of-five series 2-0.

The Sabres, by virtue of finishing 26th in the 32-team NHL, have 6.5 percent odds of winning the draft lottery, which will be held Monday, the league has announced.

Sabres prospect Luke Osburn, a fourth-round pick in 2024, 108th overall, has been named the junior United States Hockey League’s Defenseman of the Year.

Osburn, 18, scored 10 goals and 41 points in 55 games for the Youngstown Phantoms.