The Sharks' struggles with consistent play in goal were in large part what held the team back from competing over the past few seasons. General manager Doug Wilson made it a priority this offseason to re-shape the goaltender position in San Jose, shipping out Martin Jones and Devan Dubnyk and bringing in rising star Adin Hill and veteran netminder James Reimer.
Hill, 25, has been the starter for the Sharks through the early part of the 2021-22 season. Reimer, 33, has started three games and played in four total and has been among the league's best goaltenders. After being a weakness for several seasons, the netminder position has become a strength of the Sharks.
Reimer paces all NHL goalies with an outstanding .964 save percentage and 1.13 goals against average. In a start Sunday that was without seven of the Sharks' skaters and its head coach due to COVID-19 protocol, Reimer made 34 saves in a victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"Reims played a great game," acting Sharks head coach John MacLean said after the win. "He was very sticky tonight, the puck stuck to him a lot, he didn't give a lot of second chances, which helped our whole team out."
RELATED: Timo's OT goal vs. Jets caps off Sharks' rollercoaster day
This is actually Reimer's second stint with the organization, as he was traded to the Sharks from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2015-16 season. Over his 12 career games with the Sharks, Reimer's numbers are otherworldly.
Hill likely still will see the majority of the starts this season as the Sharks hope he can prove to be an anchor at the position for the future.
However, Reimer's tremendous numbers prove Bob Boughner will not have to worry about whichever goaltender he elects to start over the remainder of the Sharks' 74 games.