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Buffalo Sabres: Ranking every goaltender in the system

By Sion Fawkes

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Eric Comrie #1 of the New Jersey Devils skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on January 21, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: Eric Comrie #1 of the New Jersey Devils skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum on January 21, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres have plenty of intriguing prospects at goaltender and perhaps two potential long-term solutions at the position.

Some in the Buffalo Sabres faithful claim the team’s situation at goaltender is bleak. But in reality, it is anything but bleak, given the sheer potential of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and the small yet intriguing sample size that Eric Comrie boasts.

While it is true there is no experienced NHL goaltender under age 30 in the system, the Sabres also have the likes of Craig Anderson and Malcolm Subban who can at least provide leeway and mentorship for the younger, more inexperienced Comrie and Luukkonen.

And we also can’t forget about the younger talent yet to sign with the Sabres. Since we only have eight notable goaltenders in the system, I will rank each of them as opposed to the NHL/high-end AHL talent that I ranked in earlier articles.

Buffalo Sabres
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 20: #1 Goalkeeper Topias Leinonen of Finland tries to control the puck in front of #16 Andrin Locher of Switzerland during Men’s 6-Team Tournament Preliminary Round – Group A Game between Finland and Switzerland of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 20, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images) /

Ranking the Buffalo Sabres goaltenders from worst to first: #8 – Topias Leinonen

I was sold on the Leinonen pick a few minutes after the Buffalo Sabres announced his name. And while he reportedly struggled in his minute sample size at development camp, Leinonen does have the size, speed, and agility to develop into a top goaltender in the organization. It just isn’t going to happen overnight or even two seasons from today.

And while he didn’t post ideal numbers in international play last season, his combined 9-4 record and 2.56 GAA speak wonders, despite the 0.897 save percentage. He further logged a 0.916 save percentage and 2.28 GAA while playing for JYP U20, despite posting just a 9-10 record.

Leinonen struggled for JYP in Liiga, finishing with a 5.02 GAA and 0.825 save percentage. But it was his first taste of big league action. Look for improved numbers in Liiga for the upcoming season. If Leinonen can take on the challenge, he may rise in the rankings.

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