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Rumors! Five goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres can trade for

By Sion Fawkes

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Adin Hill #33 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the St. Louis Blues at SAP Center on November 04, 2021 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Adin Hill #33 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the St. Louis Blues at SAP Center on November 04, 2021 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres may be in the market for a goaltender if they cannot re-sign any of their impending UFAs. Let’s discuss five goalies they can trade for.

The Buffalo Sabres had some serious goaltending issues last season that they would hope to avoid in 2022-23. The situation got so bad that, if you were following the team during their darkest hour, they had to play a man named Michael Houser. The 29-year-old goaltender started two games last season, donning a Rochester Americans helmet.

While injuries are always unavoidable, the Sabres never saw a single one of their goaltenders prove that they were long-term solutions. Houser is an obvious AHL-ECHL talent, though he looked good in his cameo. Dustin Tokarski and Malcolm Subban also fit better in the AHL as insurance policy goaltenders.

Anderson is 41 and may not even come back while Aaron Dell shouldn’t play in the NHL again after a string of abysmal performances. The Sabres would love to give Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a chance, but he is inconsistent and has a tough time staying healthy.

While the Sabres could sign some goaltenders in free agency, it is also realistic that they make some trade proposals. Let’s explore five goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres can trade for.

Buffalo Sabres
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Goaltender Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

The top goaltender the Buffalo Sabres can trade for: Jonathan Quick

The downside is that Quick is 36. But the Buffalo Sabres do have two young goaltenders in the system in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. Three if Erik Portillo starts to show more interest.

Quick, in the final season of his contract, is due to earn $2.5 million in base salary this year. That said, he is not an obvious long-term fix. However, he can be an outstanding bridge for either Luukkonen or Levi.

We’ve seen Luukkonen struggle with injuries and inconsistency, so perhaps a season behind Quick would be a huge help. Or, if Luukkonen still can’t get it together, there may be Levi or even Erik Portillo. Worst-case scenario, Quick holds the fort down as the Sabres pursue a younger goaltender via free agency or trade in 2023.

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