Buffalo Sabres part ways with Hinostroza, could trade Portillo
The Buffalo Sabres could find themselves in a position to buy at the trade deadline if they get their act together, but they will also be sellers.
The Buffalo Sabres will be active around the trade deadline this season, and they will almost certainly part ways prospect Erik Portillo. With a young nucleus and three goaltenders in the rotation, the Blue and Gold parted ways with Vinnie Hinostroza, who has seen lesser than anticipated playing time this season.
And this is not a knock on Hinostroza, who has been effective at times when called upon. The problem is that he doesn’t fit into what the Sabres are doing. This is a team looking to maximize in developing its young talent, and waiving HInostroza could open up a spot for younger talent later this season, if they eventually go with a two goaltender set.
The likeliest prospects the Blue and Gold could call up include Brett Murray, Linus Weissbach, Brandon Biro, and Anders Bjork. Okay, so we can probably scratch Bjork from that list, so that leaves the former three.
Buffalo Sabres waive Hinostroza, may package Portillo in a trade
Vinnie Hinostroza may not be the only member of the Buffalo Sabres on his way out. Former third round pick Erik Portillo has also been a hot topic of conversation. especially now, given Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence.
Despite suffering a drop-off from last season, goaltender Devon Levi is also posting a solid 0.920 save percentage and 2.55 GAA at the NCAA level, which further puts Portillo behind the eight-ball. Want more fun? Levi has also outperformed Portillo, who has just a 0.908 save percentage, and a 2.96 GAA, which is also a drop-off from 2021-22.
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Portillo could also go to an organization in dire need of a young goaltender. If traded into such a situation, he would be likely to sign with the team acquiring him. However, given his limited timetable to sign, the Sabres could have a tough time finding a trade partner for the unsigned goaltender.
(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)
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