While the Buffalo Sabres faithful will see defenseman Owen Power debut against Toronto, his Michigan teammate is staying put for another season.
One Buffalo Sabres prospect is heading to the NHL ranks, as we all know. And another is staying put with the Michigan Wolverines. Erik Portillo has become the second goaltender in the Sabres system to stay in school, with Northeastern’s Devon Levi announcing his return to the college ranks last week.
While Portillo’s return to Michigan creates further strife among the Sabres goalie situation for 2022-23, it’s also understandable as to why he is returning. The Wolverines came so close to making a national title appearance, only to fall to the eventual national champion Denver Pioneers, in a heartbreaking loss in the Frozen Four.
Buffalo Sabres prospect Erik Portillo returns to Michigan for his junior season
Portillo had an unforgettable campaign in the net during his sophomore season at Michigan. He finished 31-10-1 this past season and recorded an astounding 2.14 GAA.
With Owen Power, Portillo was part of a core unit that led the Wolverines to their appearance in the Frozen Four. A third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, his rights still remain with the Sabres for another season.
In a best-case scenario, both Portillo and Devon Levi will leave school and sign an entry-level contract with the Sabres this time next year. Worst-case scenario? They decide not to sign and take their talents elsewhere.
In the meantime, the Sabres must work diligently to resolve their goaltender situation. Both Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski are set to become free agents after the season. Anderson, who will be 41 come October 2022, might outright retire.
The Sabres also have Ukko-Pekka Luukknonen in the AHL ranks, though he too will need to re-sign following the 2021-22 season. Michael Houser, who has looked good at times during his short stints with the Sabres, is another option the organization could consider bringing back for 2022-23.
(Statistics provided by Hockey DB)