Alex Lyon was the Buffalo Sabres' best player through the season's first 10 games. The veteran goaltender looked like a completely different player in Friday night's 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils, which marked his first start in seven contests.
Lyon's predictable drop off in performance as part of the Sabres' untenable three-goalie rotation is the latest sign it's time for general manager Kevyn Adams to make a move.
Adams has shied away from making tough decisions throughout his unfruitful six-year tenure. He'll always choose to kick the can down the road, hoping a solution will magically work itself out, rather than make a move that could potentially haunt him in the long run.
However, it's reached a point where carrying three netminders on the roster is actively hurting Buffalo's chance to win games. The Blue and Gold's team save percentage has dipped to .897, which ranks 18th in the NHL.
Lyon, who compiled a .919 SV% while starting eight of the club's first 10 games, has an .814 SV% across his last three outings. That's what happens when there simply isn't enough practice or game time available to satisfy players at a position that thrives on consistent work.
In addition, his poor stretch recently has probably sapped any value the 32-year-old Yale University product had on the trade market. It likely leaves Adams with three possible options: waive Lyon or Colten Ellis or trade Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, which may be difficult in its own right.
Ellis, who the Sabres claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues shortly before the 2025-26 season began, has earned an extended look, so it probably comes down to Lyon or UPL for who should go.
Regardless, it's time for Adams to admit the three-goalie rotation, which was doomed to fail from the start, has indeed faltered enough to necessitate making a move. Now.
Meanwhile, let's look back at the lopsided defeat at the hands of the Devils for the latest edition of our Sabres player grade series.
Alex Lyon's struggles matched by listless offense in Buffalo Sabres' Nov. 28 loss to the New Jersey Devils
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Zach Benson | 6 |
Noah Ostlund | 6 |
Jordan Greenway | 5.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 5.5 |
Tyson Kozak | 5 |
Owen Power | 5 |
Peyton Krebs | 5 |
Jacob Bryson | 4.5 |
Conor Timmins | 4.5 |
Bowen Byram | 4 |
Ryan McLeod | 4 |
Jack Quinn | 3.5 |
Jason Zucker | 3.5 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 3 |
Tage Thompson | 2.5 |
Josh Doan | 2.5 |
Alex Tuch | 2 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 2 |
Alex Lyon | 1 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Zach Benson
Benson took a couple games after his return from injury to start looking like himself again, but he was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable performance by the Sabres. He was aggressive on the forecheck and actively trying to make his presence felt in the most dangerous areas of the ice.
Buffalo is a far better team when the 2023 first-round pick is healthy because he's willing to bring energy and hard work on nights where the Blue and Gold's compete level drops. That's been a far-too-common problem during the first quarter of the current campaign.
While Benson's strong showing didn't turn the tide against New Jersey, it was a promising sign to see him making a more consistent impact after a few quiet games upon his return to the lineup.
If the workmanlike effort continues, the points will eventually come for the 20-year-old Canadian.
Sabres quick hits
- Jordan Greenway was more involved on a shift-to-shift basis, which suggests the Sabres' NBA-esque load management approach with the winger may be working.
- Beck Malenstyn flipped a switch a few weeks ago and has become one of Buffalo's most reliable players in a niche role.
- The Sabres simply didn't get enough from their top forwards, led by Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Josh Doan, on a night where the offense needed a jolt.
- A rare off night from Mattias Samuelsson this season.
- Lyon couldn't have done anything to flip the result on a night where Buffalo didn't score, but it was still an underwhelming performance.