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Malcolm Subban must stay in the Buffalo Sabres system

By Sion Fawkes

SYRACUSE, NY - APRIL 21: Malcolm Subban #47 of Rochester Americans tends the net against the Syracuse Crunch at Upstate Medical University Arena on April 21, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - APRIL 21: Malcolm Subban #47 of Rochester Americans tends the net against the Syracuse Crunch at Upstate Medical University Arena on April 21, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres could be set on Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but Malcolm Subban could provide much-needed insurance. 

As it stands, the Buffalo Sabres have three goaltenders signed on to compete for a spot in 2023-24 with Devon Levi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Eric Comrie. Of the three, Levi and Luukkonen are the front runners, while Comrie is the odd man out barring injury.

But there is one more goaltender few are talking about that deserves an extended look to be the primary insurance guy with the Rochester Americans, and it’s no one other than Malcolm Subban. In case you missed it, Subban helped lead the Amerks to a shutout win over the Syracuse Crunch this past Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive for another game.

And so far in the series, Subban has allowed just 10 goals in four games, with a 2.51 GAA, and a 0.923 save percentage. Over the regular season, he stepped in as the starting goaltender when the Sabres recalled Luukkonen, and he shined, posting a 0.903 save percentage with a 2.94 GAA.

Malcolm Subban must stay in the Buffalo Sabres system

Chances are, if the Sabres still have Comrie come training camp, he will likely be the one placed on waivers and sent to Rochester. This is, of course, assuming he passes through waivers, which may not occur if another team needed an upgrade at backup goaltender.

This is what makes Subban such a valuable asset to the Sabres. If they let him walk, then they replace him in Rochester with…who? Not the ideal situation if either Levi or Luukkonen go down with an injury, and the Blue and Gold can’t afford to toil through a mass regression in the net next season. Not with an expected playoff berth for the first time in 13 seasons.

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Overall, Buffalo must do all they can to keep Subban in the system. If it means paying him more than usual to keep him in Rochester, then by all means, pay him. As it stands, the Blue and Gold could use sound insurance in the net, and Subban provides it.

Source: Malcolm Subban’s terrific season with Amerks could keep him in Sabres’ plans by Bill Hoppe, BuffaloHockeyBeat.com

(Statistics provided by Amerks.com)

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