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Buffalo Sabres: Will any goaltenders return next season?

By Sion Fawkes

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 17: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with Malcolm Subban #47 during the third period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 17: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal with Malcolm Subban #47 during the third period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 23: Dustin Tokarski #31 of the Buffalo Sabres in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on October 23, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Sabres 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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. 

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