This upcoming season, a three-goalie rotation seems to be the name of the game for the Buffalo Sabres. They currently have three on the roster, but many questions do remain. Currently the youngest of three is Colten Ellis, who's 25.
Ellis had moments where he shined a season ago but, if the front office thought he was the top goalie for the team, the Sabres would probably make moves to give him a path to more starts. Instead, veterans Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon remain atop the depth chart.
For a few seasons, their top prospect was Devon Levi. But he was recently dealt to the Edmonton Oilers. Now the Sabres will have to look at what they have in the pipeline to possibly compete for starts in the coming years.
The Buffalo Sabres have talented young goalies currently with the organization
Topias Leinonen was a draft pick from 2022 and should have a chance to play more with the Rochester Americans now that Levi has left. If he has a solid season and one the NHL netminders is dealt, he could see playing time or at least be at a morning skate next spring.
Leinonen's biggest strength is his size. At 6-foot-5, he is a huge force between the pipes, which is often what NHL teams are looking for at the position. But size does not mean everything.
Scott Ratzlaff is also a prospect for the team. Unlike Leinonen, though he depends more on speed. He was at developmental camp for the Sabres a season ago.
Could one of these two, or others like Yevgeni Prokhorov or Samuel Meloche, emerge as a core part of the Sabres future? The team itself is young but they have serious questions at goalie that came back to bite them in the postseason. The back and forth between UPL and Lyon was taxing on both the team and the goalies themselves in both rounds of the playoffs.
All three main goalies are signed through 2026-27. Ellis and Alex Lyon can become free agents next summer. Luukkonen is signed through 2029. Would the Sabres decide to move on from any one of the three contracts if the inconsistency continues?
It is important for them to continue to look at prospects as their future is vital to continue a Stanley Cup push. They have core players in most positions except goalie. They can only hope one of their prospects takes Levi's spot and emerges.
The Sabres best seasons in recent decades came when they had a premier goalie like Dominik Hasek or Ryan Miller. That could be upon them in a season or two once again.
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