James Reimer can't help but look ahead.
Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the trade deadline, Reimer has served as backup to Martin Jones during San Jose's run to the Stanley Cup Final. And while he's played well for the Sharks in limited minutes, he admits to being aware of potential suitors who may come calling when he hits unrestricted free agency at season's end.
"You kind of know what teams are in the market and might need a goalie," Reimer said Saturday according to Mike Zeisberger of Postmedia. "I’ve kind of heard too that people who go into free agency, they have their short list of two or three teams they think are in the market. Plus there always are teams that come in from left field. You kind of see here or there potential teams that need goalies."
For now, however, his attention remains fixed on the present.
“Right now you’re focused on the job at hand. I’m trying to get that silver thing,” he said, referring, of course, to the Stanley Cup.
Reimer has made only one playoff appearance in relief of Jones, but sparkled for the Sharks in eight regular season appearances down the stretch, with a record of 6-2-0 and a .938 save percentage.
The Sharks are down 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Reimer can indeed get his name on the Cup if his teammates can scratch out two more wins against the Eastern Conference champions.
