Entering the season, the goalie position for the Buffalo Sabres looked to be a major problem for the team. It has become a problem, but not in the way any fans would have ever imagined, as they now have three goalies that could emerge as a top-tier starter.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was expected to be the starter for most of the summer, but entered training camp with an injury and then suffered another after only one period of preseason hockey. He has slowly worked his way back, including a rehab start in Rochester, but looks ready to make his NHL debut in the coming days after being recalled on Thursday.
However, it shouldn't be assumed that Luukkonen is going to step right back in as the starter, as Alex Lyon has been phenomenal to begin the season. In six games, he is 2-4 and has a goals against average of 2.55, but he has also faced the most shots of any goalie in the league at 198 and is 10th among goalies with 4 or more starts in save percentage at .924.
According to MoneyPuck, Lyon is currently seventh in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected at 5.1.
On top of the excellent performance by Lyon to begin the season, Colten Ellis is coming off his NHL debut, where he was also excellent in net for Buffalo. He would help the Sabres win 4-2 over the Detroit Red Wings and save 27 of 29 shots faced.
Buffalo Sabres have no choice but to carry three goalies for awhile
While not unheard of, it is pretty uncommon for any NHL team to have three goalies on their roster. However, for the Sabres this is exactly what they should do because there are too many question marks for them to make a move at the position.
Alex Lyon has been the best and probably would get the most in return in a trade, but it isn't best practice to trade your best player at the position.
Meanwhile, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has struggled with injuries to begin the season and is coming off a disappointing season last year. He certainly has the talent to be a quality starter, but it remains to be seen if he will.
At this point, it would also be tough to trade Luukkonen with the questions he has and the contract he is currently playing on.
Colten Ellis put together a great game against the Red Wings, and it probably was enough for at least one team to claim him if he is put on waivers. The Sabres can't afford to run that risk if he does continue to play at this level.
However, it wouldn't be wise to move Lyon or Luukkonen after only one game by Ellis. The sample size is just too small and the Sabres should give him a few more starts before determining that.
In the end, it really leaves them the only option of carrying three goalies and seeing which two really stand out. It is certainly odd to see a competition in season like this, but with UPL and Ellis basically not being a part of any of the Sabres' preseason, this would be the wisest move for the team.