Sabre Noise
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3 goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres can realistically sign

By Sion Fawkes

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: Alex DeBrincat #12 congratulates Kevin Lankinen #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 during the third period of a game at Honda Center on March 23, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: Alex DeBrincat #12 congratulates Kevin Lankinen #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks after defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 during the third period of a game at Honda Center on March 23, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 07: Kevin Lankinen #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks tends the net against the Seattle Kraken during the third period at United Center on April 07, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Goaltender #3: Kevin Lankinen

Most Buffalo Sabres fans know Kevin Lankinen for helping Tage Thompson secure one of the most improbable game-winning shots in NHL history. After Lankinen realized what happened, he proceeded to beat his stick off the goalpost in frustration.

Now, there is a chance the Sabres sign Lankinen and perhaps peg him in as the starting goaltender. While he posted an abysmal 0.891 save percentage and a 3.50 GAA, let’s not write him off just yet. He is just 27, and he was likewise playing for a miserable Chicago Blackhawks team that had seen better days in the 2010s.

His career record of 25-29-11 isn’t terrible, considering the situation he was forced into. And he was in consideration for the Calder Trophy in 2020-21, finishing 13th in the voting. So Lankinen has potential here. It is because of that potential that general manager Kevyn Adams may consider signing him to a long-term deal.

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Lankinen is an obvious risk and Adams would do well to pair him with an experienced backup goaltender. But the potential is there for a successful career if the talent is there. And the Sabres may have that talent in 2022-23.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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