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Sabres news: Taking a look at the Sabres interesting goalie situation

By Jacob LeBlanc

Feb 4, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Craig Anderson (31) tends net in warm-ups prior to a game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Craig Anderson (31) tends net in warm-ups prior to a game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres goalie room underwent a complete makeover on Wednesday night. Both goalies that were on the Sabres opening night roster from last season are now gone, and Buffalo brought in two more netminders for this upcoming season.

Both Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark signed with new teams on Wednesday afternoon once free agency started. It was no surprise to see Hutton go. He never panned out in Buffalo. In his time in Buffalo, he played in 94 games and posted a lackluster 3.12 goals allowed average and .902 save percentage. He signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday.

It certainly hurt more to see Ullmark leave Buffalo, especially given he went to the division rival Boston Bruins. Buffalo was interested in keeping Ullmark, but it was to no prevail as he signed with the Bruins for a surprisingly large four-year, $20 million deal. Ullmark battled injury issues throughout his career in Buffalo, but he was easily the best goalie that the Sabres have had since signing there.

To counter losing two goalies, the Sabres brought in two new ones on Wednesday. Buffalo signed Craig Anderson and Aaron Dell both to one-year, $750,000 deals. Anderson is a very well-respected veteran, but at 40 years old, he is undoubtedly on the back half of his hockey career. He only appeared in four games last season for the Washington Capitals, so he is not a long-term answer at goalie for Buffalo.

Aaron Dell probably isn’t the answer Buffalo is looking for either. Although he is eight years younger than Anderson, he did not fair much better in net last season. In only seven games played last year for the New Jersey Devils, he posted a 3.57 goals allowed average and a save percentage of .857.

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With adding these two older goalies, the Sabres should expect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to play a decent amount in the NHL this year. Anderson would be a great mentor for a young goalie such as UPL, and I feel like having him get ample starts in the NHL and learn from a respected veteran such as Anderson would be more beneficial than having him play in Rochester all year.

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