The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with a potentially problematic goalie logjam throughout the upper levels of the organization, which may force general manager Kevyn Adams to make an early trade.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported an update to the rumors Thursday, noting the first order of business may be attempting to deal away a 2024 NHL All-Star Game selection.
"They are trying to find a new home for Alexandar Georgiev," Friedman wrote. "The Sabres have made it clear Colten Ellis is staying. Someone asked me if Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be moved, but I'd be surprised. He's still their most-experienced and best option, assuming he is healthy."
Alex Lyon, who's seized the Sabres' No. 1 goalie job with a terrific start to the 2025-26 season, and prized prospect Devon Levi are the other goaltenders in the picture for Buffalo.
Georgiev briefly emerged as a high-end starter for the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted by a .918 save percentage across 62 appearances for the Avs in 2022-23, but his play has dropped off dramatically over the past couple years.
Buffalo Sabres should use crowded goalie situation to search for an impact forward via trade
The Sabres likely wouldn't receive much for Georgiev, who they signed as a free agent when UPL arrived to training camp with an injury. A late-round draft pick or future considerations are the most probable outcomes.
Adams' work to restructure the crowded goalie depth chart wouldn't be done, though.
Buffalo should be exploring its options with Luukkonen, who recently returned from a pair of preseason injuries.
UPL complicates the Sabres' situation because he's the franchise's highest-paid goalie ($4.75 million AAV) and he's signed through 2028-29, which means that roster spot is locked up for as long as he remains with the Blue and Gold.
Buffalo only has $1.6 million in available salary-cap space because of all the call-ups required to cover their short-term injury absences, per PuckPedia. It creates an additional hurdle for Adams if he's actively seeking a top-six forward via trade.
Luukkonen is coming off a miserable 2024-25 season (.887 SV%) and hasn't done enough to warrant remaining the Sabres top option in net for the long haul.
Yet, he's still only 26 and looked like a star on the rise with a .910 SV% in 2023-24, so he should still have modest trade value for a team needing a goalie.
Trading him, ideally as part of a larger deal for a high-scoring forward, would not only create consistent starts for Lyon and Ellis this season, but it'd also open the door for Levi to secure a full-time role in Buffalo far sooner.
The Sabres also have several goalie prospects tearing it up in the minor leagues, so the future of the position would remain strong without UPL in the mix.
For now, it sounds like moving Georgiev is the main priority. That would allow the prospect tandem of Levi and Topias Leinonen to share the workload with the AHL's Rochester Americans without having to find starts for a 29-year-old netminder with no path forward in the organization.
One way or another, it feels like Adams will need to deal away two goalies before the NHL trade deadline in March.