Buffalo Sabres: Will any goaltenders return next season?
The Buffalo Sabres have no current goaltenders under contract. Will they bring anyone back or will we see new faces in the net in 2022-23?
The Buffalo Sabres have yet another conundrum at goaltender. Something they have become all too familiar with over the last year. But with no goalies under contract heading into 2022-23, they have several options.
The Sabres can go out and sign a stopgap goaltender or two, which was the case this past season. They can bring one of their five primary goalies from last season back into the fold. Or, they can pull off a blockbuster trade for a respectable name.
None of the goaltenders last season were overly impressive, with the then 40-year-old Craig Anderson being the best. But considering his meager save percentage among starting NHL goalies it’s not saying much.
So, what will happen to the five goaltenders from last season? Here is a prediction for each.
Goaltender #1: Craig Anderson
Despite his 0.897 save percentage, Anderson’s 3.12 goals allowed average was his best when starting at least 30 games per season since 2016-17. He also finished the year 17-12-2, not bad for a goaltender at age 40.
The highlight of Anderson‘s season came on March 10th, when he scored his 300th career win against Jack Eichel’s Vegas Golden Knights. But with Anderson having turned 41 last month, does he even want to return for a swan song?
Besides, he was injury prone, which held him to just 31 games. The bottom line is this: Anderson cannot possibly return as the starting goaltender. He’d be a great backup, but at this point, it’s all he can do in the NHL.
Anderson did lead the Sabres to some impressive wins, no doubt. That list includes victories over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, and Minnesota Wild. He was an integral part of the Sabres successful March and April, and he would be great to have back for a final season.
Prediction: Retires, then unretires: Anderson hangs up the skates, but a preseason injury to the next goaltender on this list opens the door for his return.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
No goaltender has been more star-crossed than Luukkonen. While he had a respectable outing at the NHL level last season (0.917 save percentage), Luukkonen won just two games before a lower-body injury sidelined him.
Upon returning to Rochester, the towering goaltender struggled, finishing the season 15-14-6 with a 0.900 save percentage. He allowed 3.28 goals per game, which was an improvement over the previous season. However, we expected more from Luukkonen.
Then came the Calder Cup Playoffs, and another lower-body injury forced him to miss all 10 games for the Rochester Americans. Overall, it was an uninspiring outing for Luukkonen. But, his age and draft status will factor into whether he returns.
Prediction: Returns on a prove-it deal: Luukkonen will return to the organization, based on Kevyn Adams’ statements last month. But if he misses extended time or struggles again, he’s gone.
Aaron Dell
Few goaltenders have fallen off of a cliff more than Dell. He enjoyed a respectable 48-34-12 record during his time with the San Jose Sharks, but since then, Dell is 2-13-1. He was downright awful for the Sabres, finishing 1-8-1 with a 4.03 goals allowed average.
To add salt to his wounds, he ended up with a suspension following an illegal check to Drake Batherson. But, Dell looked good in Rochester, posting a 12-7-1 record in the regular season before following up by finishing 5-5 in the playoffs.
While his play stagnated, he allowed just 2.91 goals per game during the Amerks regular season, scoring a 0.908 save percentage. Having outplayed Luukkonen, Dell at least deserves a second look.
Prediction: Returns to the Rochester Americans: Dell should never wear an NHL uniform again. But he is serviceable to the Amerks and could act as a great stopgap as the organization fixes its goaltender issues.
Dustin Tokarski
Tokarski improved as the season progressed and he eventually logged a shutout performance in a 1-0 win on the road against the Calgary Flames. It was the Sabres first shutout win since October 2019, and it gave the journeyman goaltender a moment in the spotlight.
But, with just 76 games of NHL experience since 2009-10, it shows what Tokarski is. The type of player to often fill a backup role on an NHL roster for between one and three seasons before heading elsewhere.
His 29 games and 10 wins last season were career highs. So were his 12 losses. He also finished with an 0.899 save percentage, which really isn’t bad considering his limited upside. Overall, Tokarski was respectable, but he is not the type of goalie you want to stick around the organization long-term.
Prediction: Walks in free agency: Tokarski played well enough to warrant a look on one of the other 31 NHL teams. Either as a high-end AHL talent or as a backup. But it won’t be in Buffalo.
Malcolm Subban
Subban stepped in last season and posted some awful numbers. But he gets a free pass given the hopelessness of the situation he was thrust into. It was so meager, even Ryan Miller and Domenik Hasek would not have fared much better.
So Subban’s 4.85 goals allowed average and 0.871 save percentage shouldn’t count against him. Especially since he suffered a season-ending injury after his fourth game. However, Subban has never been outstanding aside from a 13-4-2 record he posted in 2017-18 with the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.
However, he has also played well enough in all his stops to at least warrant consideration as a backup goaltender, or even as a high-end prospect. Subban is likeable and he has that fan-favorite vibe surrounding him. The fan base at least, would want him back.
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Prediction: Returns, rotates time with Dell in Rochester: The Sabres bring back Subban and allocate him to the Rochester Americans, where he co-stars in the net with Aaron Dell before the Amerks bring in younger talent.