Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams deserves credit for signing Alexandar Georgiev to a one-year, $825,000 contract. Not only is it a no-risk addition of a former NHL All-Star goalie, but it also creates a clearer goaltending depth chart in the organization.
Georgiev's numbers dipped over the past two seasons after peaking with 40 wins and a .918 save percentage as a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 2022-23. He'll now get an opportunity to rebuild his stock in a low-pressure environment.
Let's take a look at how the Sabres goalie hierarchy is shaping up as the franchise prepares to open training camp ahead of its Sept. 22 preseason opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Buffalo begins the regular season Oct. 9 when it welcomes the New York Rangers to the KeyBank Center.
Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon
The Sabres didn't bring in any serious competition for UPL despite his woeful 2024-25 season. He posted a 3.20 goals against average and .887 SV% across 55 appearances. It represented a sharp decline after his breakthrough 2023-24 campaign featured a .910 SV%.
Luukkonen will be given every opportunity to reestablish himself as the team's clear No. 1 option in net, a distinction he lost during the latter stages of last season. At 26, it's certainly possible his best hockey is yet to come, but his future outlook is quite murky.
Lyon's role as the chief reserve shouldn't be in danger despite the Georgiev signing. That said, his .896 SV% last year marked the worst full-season mark of his career, so he's also seeking a bounce-back campaign amid a successful journeyman career.
In a perfect world, UPL will rebound nicely and prove himself worthy of about 60 starts in 2025-26 with Lyon handling the other 22 contests.
Rochester Americans (AHL)
Devon Levi and Alexandar Georgiev
A significant problem prior to Thursday night's arrival of Georgiev was the fact Buffalo had no real option other than Levi if things went south with the UPL-Lyon tandem. The front office would have needed to call on the prized prospect for NHL duty once again.
Keeping Levi in Rochester for the entire season — about 50 regular-season starts followed by a deep playoff run would be perfect — is the best option for his development after a couple failed forays into the NHL so far. Bouncing back and forth provides no benefit.
So, the ability to use Georgiev as the AHL backup and the first call-up option should an injury strike one of the Sabres netminders adds an extra layer of protection. (It's worth noting Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reported UPL is already dealing with a "tweak" ahead of camp.)
Meanwhile, Georgiev gets an opportunity to work through the problems that plagued him over the past couple years without having to face the world's best players every night. A strong campaign would give him a chance to find a full-time NHL job next summer.
Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL)
Topias Leinonen and Scott Ratzlaff
Yes, the Sabres could send Ratzlaff back to the Seattle Thunderbirds, but it's hard to imagine a sixth year in the WHL would provide much benefit. It's time for him to start gaining experience at the pro level to see if his development can accelerate in a new environment.
Leinonen is coming off a breakthrough season with Sweden's Mora IK that saw him post a .910 SV% in 25 regular-season games and a .929 SV% in six playoff contests. It earned him the opportunity to make the jump to North America.
It'll probably be a pretty even start split for Leinonen and Ratzlaff if this is how Buffalo decides to handle the situation. The goalie who performs better would then be in line to take on a key role for the Amerks next season.
If the Sabres instead send Ratzlaff back to juniors, Cameron Rowe would handle backup duties in Jacksonville and Leinonen could handle a heavier workload in 2025-26.