Top 3 goaltenders the Buffalo Sabres could sign in 2023

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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.

Apr 25, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;Los Angeles Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) skates against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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