The Buffalo Sabres have been searching for their next franchise goaltender since Ryan Miller was traded to St. Louis in February 2014. Whether it was through a trade, free agency, or developing their own draft picks, they have not yet found their long-term answer in net.
They currently have three notable goaltenders in their prospect pipeline showing promise this year in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (AHL), Erik Portillo (Michigan), and Devon Levi (Northeastern). However, when healthy, their current tandem of Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski has proven to be a pleasant surprise so far this season.
Despite Anderson’s years of experience, the Sabres have a goalie tandem that combined for only 14 starts last season. As a result of injuries suffered by Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton last year, Tokarski made 10 starts, compiling an overall record of 2-8-2, with a .904 save percentage and 3.54 goals against average.
After Ullmark signed with Boston this offseason after three years on the roster, Anderson signed a 1-yr/$750k deal to be the team’s starter, after making four starts for the Washington Capitals last season. The backup spot was determined via goalie competition in training camp, which was won by Tokarski after a solid preseason, beating out UPL and Aaron Dell.
Once the season began, the team found early success in the form of a 5-1-1 record and the goaltending was an important part of their overall play during that stretch. Currently on injured reserve, Anderson has made six starts, earning a 4-2 record, with a .921 save percentage and 2.5 goals against average. In ten starts, Tokarski has a 3-4-2 record, .900 save percentage, 3.39 goals against average, and will be the starter until Anderson returns from injury. Between the two, they’ve amassed a 7-6-2 record and a .910 save percentage in 16 starts.
The overall expectations for the team this year are not high, but the team has played better than expected under head coach Don Granato, they’ve faced greater challenges of late. Winning two of their last ten games and dealing with a slew of injuries at every position has seen its share of struggles. Tokarski’s 45-save performance against Pittsburgh last week, however, proves the importance goaltending holds, especially for these rebuilding Sabres.
While there’s uncertainty as to who will be the long-term starter for Buffalo, but in the present, both Anderson and Tokarski have performed well and will be relied on heavily as the team continues to develop throughout this season.