Buffalo Sabres Goalies: 2015-2016 Season Not Dependent On Netminders

The Buffalo Sabres are going to be a better hockey club next year, they can’t honestly be any worse.  The team is going to be getting a generational talent in Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel (yes – it is still open for debate).  The team is going to not have as many contracts hanging over their heads on guys who really don’t care to be here, or who have become so complacent that they could care less if they won or they lost.

A team, once very weak down the center of the ice, is now one of the deepest teams in the National Hockey League as far as prospects are concerned.

They can get better on the wing very easily, and their defensive corps are shaping up to be a very young, talented, and dedicated group of guys.  That just leaves one position where they might have a problem, and that is the guy who stands in the crease for close to 60 minutes every night.

What are the options for Buffalo Sabres Goalies in 2015-2016?

The Buffalo Sabres haven’t had a solid netminder in place since they traded away former fifth round draft pick and starting goaltender Ryan Miller.  Yes, that was a mouth full to spit out, but it is important to spit out.  Ryan Miller was a fifth round draft pick.

I point that out because even a late round “project” goaltender can come out of the woodwork and be a respectable NHL goaltender.

Sure Ryan Miller was a head case, and his situation in Buffalo was definitely not conducive for a head case goaltender to win.

Next: In Or Out Of The Head Of Ryan Miller

You could say that every goaltender is a head case in some respect, they are some of the most superstitious and meticulous of all professional athletes.  In my lowly opinion, Ryan Miller took the cake on that.  But I digress to the real point here.

The Buffalo Sabres have plenty of options at goaltender for the 2015-2016 season.  First off you have the draft coming up, you can easily trade for a goaltender in that time frame.  Shortly after the draft you have free agency.  Goalies are available there – and some might relish the chance at standing behind the future Buffalo Sabres.

Then there are the prospect pool, above I linked to an article that outlined several options for each.  Right off the top if you have that article (click on the link above, its not a shameless plug for them, I just want us all to be on the same page.)  Strike Jhonas Enroth right off the list.  I don’t think after the story broke that Enroth spoke out against the Buffalo Sabres that he would be welcomed back here, or that he would even want to come back here.

Here is who I like out of each of these classes:

Free Agents

  • Devan Dubnyk – he is on tap to win the Masterton Trophy this season, and has finally found his NHL legs.  He hasn’t played more than 60 NHL games in a season for the life of his career, but do the Buffalo Sabres really need him to do so?
  • Michal Neuvirth – I would bring him back.  Giving him quality starter time he shows that he can hang in the NHL – it’s when he sits for long stretches that he turns into a sieve.

Trade Block Acquisitions

  • Craig Anderson – The Ottawa Senators jumped on NCAA goalie Matt O’Conner, which means they will likely move on Anderson or Andrew Hammond.  If the price is right, why not move on Anderson?
  • Cam Talbot – take advantage of the New York Rangers.  You might even be able to unload a goaltending prospect that you don’t think you have room for in your organization.

Are any of the Buffalo Sabres prospects a viable option for the crease this year?  Most likely no. The depth chart is littered with young prospects, who carry the weight of two p words, prospect and project.  Can Cal Petersen develop into an NHL goalie while playing in the NCAA?  How long will the learning curve for Linus Ullmark coming over to North America?

The Buffalo Sabres are going to be a good hockey team next year, but they are still pieces away from being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender – and might even be a ways away from being a playoff consideration.  What needs to happen as the common denominator for both of those things is stability in the crease.

Will Arturs Irbe be around to continue to work his magic?  Will the revolving door that is the Buffalo Sabres blue paint continue to be a sticking point for the organization?

If opposing teams continue to show the disrespect for the Buffalo Sabres and play their back up goalies on most nights – they might not need the most solid of goaltenders to get them through another season.

Next: Does Pat Kaleta Have A Future In Buffalo?

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