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Buffalo Sabres: 3 offseason moves that make perfect sense

By Sion Fawkes

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on from the bench during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - APRIL 21: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on from the bench during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 21, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 8: Goaltender Dustin Tokarski #31 of the Buffalo Sabres defends the net against the Florida Panthers at the FLA Live Arena on April 8, 2022 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Find a bridge goaltender

All signs point to the Buffalo Sabres re-signing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and giving him an opportunity to be the team’s starting goaltender. Despite inconsistencies, he played well over the final eight regular season games in Rochester, but unfortunately he is a no-go in the playoffs because of an injury.

And injuries have plagued Luukkonen for quite a while now. One of which occurred against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he saw time with the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the season. Luukkonen’s inability to stay healthy, coupled with the potential departures of Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski, means the Sabres need to find a bridge goaltender.

The Buffalo News reported that Adams will go after an overlooked veteran to pair with Luukkonen either via free agency or trade. This goalie will likely stick around for a season or two, as Adams also mentioned the possibility of Devon Levi joining the franchise in 2023-24.

While the Sabres faithful may want a franchise goaltender, they simply don’t need one with Luukkonen most likely sticking around and Levi possibly spending his final season in college. Even if Luukkonen doesn’t re-sign, acquiring a stopgap remains the best bet.

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