One name the Sabres should not be shopping at the deadline
With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Buffalo Sabres will likely be shopping multiple players on their roster. With how bad the Sabres have been this year, it is no surprise to hear that they will be sellers at the deadline and try to acquire as much young talent and draft picks as they can. But there is one player that Buffalo should refuse to even think about trading.
Even though he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season is over, goalkeeper Linus Ullmark should be someone that the Sabres plan to keep in Buffalo. He has been one of the few bright spots on this team throughout this disappointing season.
If Buffalo can build a good team around Ullmark, he could be one of the NHL’s better goalies. Linus is currently on pace to have his best year since becoming one of the Sabres’ primary goaltenders. He currently has a .921 save percentage and is allowing 2.44 goals per game. He also has been the goalie for seven of eight wins the Sabres have on the season.
Linus holds the 12th best save percentage amongst goalies that have played in 12 games or more so far this season. His goals allowed average is more towards the middle of the pack. But when you consider that the Sabres give up the fourth-most shots on goal per game in the league, these stats really show how good Ullmark has been. Imagine how good his numbers would be if Buffalo was not the worst team in the league.
The Sabres have not had consistent goalkeeping since Ryan Miller left Buffalo in 2014. We have seen many names come and go, such as Michal Neuvirth, Jhonas Enroth, and Jonas Johansson. We have also seen goalies be traded to Buffalo that have not worked, specifically Carter Hutton. And it seems that the Sabres’ top goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen appears to be a few years away from being considered to take over the starting goalie role in Buffalo.
Next. The Sabres are undefeated at home in front of fans. dark
With all of the goalie turnover that has happened to the Sabres over the years, a primary goal this offseason should be to keep Ullmark in Buffalo. He would also make a great mentor for Luukkonen once he is ready to take the next step to the NHL. So, Kevyn Adams, if anyone calls to ask about trading for Linus Ullmark before the April 12th trade deadline, please just hang up the phone.