Top 3 goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres could sign in 2023
There are a lot of rumors going on regarding the Buffalo Sabres acquiring goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. But there may be sound alternatives in free agency.
While it’s still way too early to name drop extensively, the Connor Hellebuyck to the Buffalo Sabres talk has undoubtedly picked up steam early in the 2023 offseason. Naturally, there are several pros and cons regarding a potential acquisition of Hellebuyck, and it’s likely general manager Kevyn Adams could see the cons outweighing the pros.
There is also the possibility that the Sabres decide they are content with Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen teaming up as a 1A and 1B, and at this point, this is what I’m sure will most likely happen. But this is the offseason, so rumors, curveballs, and smokescreens are aplenty.
Therefore, I’ve been scouring the hockey world for three potential goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres could sign in 2023. The following names have jumped out at me more than any other. Keep in mind that this is a preliminary list, and as players re-sign with their respective clubs when the new league year begins, I’ll be making upgrades as needed.
That said, if I concoct more Sabres roster projections, I won’t be including any of the following names. But given their potential costs of acquiring via free agency, plus their respective performances last season, the following names are worth paying attention to IF they test the market.
3 goaltenders Buffalo Sabres may sign
1 – Joonas Korpisalo, Los Angeles Kings
Joonas Korpisalo had an ultra-rough outing against the Buffalo Sabres in December 2022 when he was with the Columbus Blue Jackets. But overall, he played well for a hockey team that was decimated with injuries, finishing his time in Columbus with a 3.17 GAA, a 0.911 save percentage, and a 0.615 quality start percentage.
He then went to the Los Angeles Kings in a trade, where he enjoyed a 2.13 GAA and a 0.921 save percentage. While his salary was a rather affordable $1.3 million AAV in 2022-23, look for him to demand substantially more for 2023-24 and beyond, but it should still fit within the Sabres budget should they pursue.
2 – Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins
Tristan Jarry is yet another goaltender who would fit well into the 1A and 1B designation if the Buffalo Sabres were looking to upgrade from Luukkonen, yet did not want to give up the assets to acquire Hellebuyck. Jarry’s AAV rested at $3.5 million, and having held his own for the most part minding the net for an injury-riddled Pittsburgh Penguins team, he will likely command a higher salary.
But once again, with the amount of space the Sabres should also have, such an amount shouldn’t creep too high since Jarry isn’t in the position to demand something astronomical, not after posting a 0.909 save percentage and a 2.90 GAA with a quality starts percentage of just 0.574.
However, with 47 starts under his belt last season, Jarry can definitely handle the rigors of a long season if Levi needs time to adjust. With another top four D-man, and hopefully a Buffalo Sabres team that isn’t as injury-riddled themselves, Jarry would probably have a better season should he join the Blue and Gold.
3 – Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights
Adin Hill really impressed me this past season with the Vegas Golden Knights, and while I’m sure Jack Eichel’s crew will bring him back (hence my dislike for name dropping so early), there’s always the chance he will be on the open market. Like Korpisalo and Jarry, it also won’t surprise me when Hill commands a larger paycheck than his current $2.175 AAV, but if the price tag is cool with Adams, then he’s someone Buffalo should pursue in the interest of an upgrade.
Hill had a remarkable 0.640 quality starts percentage, a 0.915 save percentage, and a 2.45 GAA. The downside? He only played in 27 games last season and started 25, and the last time the Buffalo Sabres signed a goaltender with a limited number of starts, it didn’t work out so well. Therefore, I’d be careful regarding Hill if I’m Adams.
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Overall, I believe, at this point, this will be Devon Levi’s and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s team. But during the always entertaining offseason, you never know what will happen. So perhaps Adams lands Hellebuyck? Perhaps he signs one of the above goaltenders if they are indeed on the free agent market? Or maybe, he just sticks to the talent he already has? It won’t be long until we find out.
Article Source: Should the Sabres trade for Connor Hellebuyck? Which other goalies could they pair with Devon Levi? by Matthew Fairburn, TheAthletic.com
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference, salary info provided by Cap-Friendly)