Sabre Noise
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How much value do former Buffalo Sabres bring to their new teams?

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 29, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (31) looks for the puck during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (31) looks for the puck during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (31) makes a save during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Dustin Tokarski, Pittsburgh Penguins

While I thought the Buffalo Sabres would re-sign the serviceable yet unspectacular Tokarski, they ended up re-signing the younger Malcolm Subban. Tokarski instead went to the Pittsburgh Penguins on a one-year deal.

And it is really a homecoming for Tokarski, in a manner of speaking, as he previously spent time with the organization in 2019-20. However, he did play for the Penguins, having spent that year playing in the AHL for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He signed on the first day of free agency for a $775k, one-way contract, allowing him to make the same amount of money regardless of where he ends up. Tokarski will most likely open the season in Wilkes-Barre as he is listed as the Penguins third goaltender.

Tokarski did prove last season he can play for an extended time at the NHL level. While his numbers were not great – 0.899 save percentage, 3.27 GAA, and a 10-12-5 record – his 29 games marked a single-season career high. And if he were thrust into action in Pittsburgh, odds are, he would see his numbers improve based on the team’s sheer talent.

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