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Buffalo Sabres: The goaltender situation is better than you think

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 23, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save during the first period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) makes a save during the first period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
Dec 17, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Malcolm Subban (47) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Anderson’s and Subban’s Upside

This is another plus for the Buffalo Sabres. And while neither Anderson nor Subban should be seeing an extended amount of playing time in the net, they both have mounds of NHL experience. Especially Anderson.

But Subban also has 86 games to his name, and he also had a decent run earlier in his career with the Vegas Golden Knights. During that stint, he compiled a 31-20-7 record, a 2.92 GAA, and a 0.901 save percentage. Not great numbers, but he showed enough that he too can be a reliable spot starter, much like Anderson.

Anderson has 683 games to his name. And one reason I was so ecstatic that general manager Kevyn Adams brought back the aging goaltender was not because I enjoyed seeing him play, but because he could use that experience in a backup/mentorship role. He is perfect for Luukkonen, Comrie, and if need be, Subban.

Perhaps the biggest upside for this duo is that they have seen many different situations, some that included fighting through adversity. It happened to Subban last season, when he was thrown into a hopeless situation after the Sabres acquired him from the Chicago Blackhawks. Of course, Anderson had spent a career seeing numerous ups and downs.

Their overall experience brings value. And together, Anderson and Subban provide much-needed depth and familiarity for a goaltending room that saw six starters in the net last season.

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