The Buffalo Sabres are going to try and put their disappointing performance against the Philadelphia Flyers behind them as they return to the ice on Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets. This is a team they cruised to a 5-1 victory against earlier this week, and while that doesn't guarantee a victory, it should hopefully give them some confidence that they can bounce back.
However, before that game let's take a look at some news and rumors surrounding the team, with another insider giving his thoughts on the goalie situation, a prospect who continues to deliver, and a surprising name in the Top 5 among goals scored for defensemen.
Could the Buffalo Sabres wait until after the season to move Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen?
The goalie position is one that fans are definitely focused on as the Sabres have three on the roster. It feels like they have to make a move, and probably sooner rather than later, with no clear answer on what that move might be.
Recently, David Pagnotta was on the DFO Rundown and mentioned that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's name is out there, but he doesn't think a move is done until after the season. "This may not be something that happens in season, but I really wonder what is going to happen with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonene. UPL has a $4.75 million cap hit, and his no-trade protection doesn't kick in until July."
Pagnotta went on to say that he could see something happening around the NHL Draft towards the end of June. The thought process is that it helps clear a path for Devon Levi to come up to Buffalo and that certainly makes sense.
The challenge is that the Sabres probably have to make some kind of move in-season at the position. This three-goalie rotation is not working but the three goalies they have are not making it easy on the team to figure out the best path forward. Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis, who were excellent earlier in the season, have struggled as of late, while Luukkonen has probably been their best at the position over the past two weeks.
Lindy Ruff recently said that he thought the three-goalie rotation could work itself out by the end of this six-game road trip. It will be interesting to see if that is the case and what the plan might be moving forward.
Isak Rosen continues to produce since returning to Rochester and making a case for Buffalo to bring him back up
The Buffalo Sabres have finally been getting healthy and while that is a positive, it required the team to shuffle their roster. Unfortunately, Isak Rosen was one of the players impacted and they sent him back to Rochester recently.
Rosen played 10 games in Buffalo and was very productive with seven points (three goals, four assists) over that stretch. It was certainly a welcome sight for fans waiting for him to make an impact, which he really didn't do prior to this season at the NHL level.
Since returning to Rochester, Rosen has played in three games and continues to produce with four points in those three games, with three goals and one assist. At this rate, it would be surprising if Rosen wasn't back in Buffalo sooner rather than later with the way he has been playing.
Bowen Byram now in the Top 5 among defensemen in goals scored
For most of the season, it has surprisingly been Mattias Samuelsson leading Buffalo Sabres defensemen in goals scored as he has already set a career-high with five on the season. However, against the Flyers, he was passed by teammate Bowen Byram, who now has six goals on the season after scoring in back-to-back games.
That total is not only good enough to lead the Sabres defensemen in the category but also moves him into a tie for fifth in the NHL in goals scored among defensemen.
Byram's season has certainly been a mixed bag in what felt like a pivotal season after the two sides agreed to a new two-year deal this past summer. While he is scoring, which certainly helps, he is struggling in the defensive zone and has been on the ice for the most goals against (29) and high-danger chances (104) of any player on the Sabres, according to Natural Stat Trick.
If the Buffalo Sabres continue to struggle and they decide it's time for another rebuild, Byram is probably one of those players that will generate a lot of interest around the league. The team would be wise to listen to those offers to see if something makes sense.