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Sabres may be forced to trade number-one goaltender, previously linked to Oilers
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig - USA TODAY Sports
On an episode of The Sheet with Jeff Marek, analyst Pete Blackburn broke-down the goalie dilemma in Buffalo and the likelihood of their number-1 being traded.
Number-one goalie pushed to the side by competition
Alex Lyon has the spot over Ukko-Pekka Luukkanen...do we say it's the beginning of the end, does it feel that way for UPL in Buffalo?
To where we were with UPL and Devon Levi being the one in Buffalo...things change very quicky. All I'll say about this situation is that, UPL's reaction to how this all develops will say a lot. If you're one of the guys in the room in Buffalo, you have to understand the spot this franchise is in, and the pressure.
- Jeff Marek
To where we were with UPL and Devon Levi being the one in Buffalo...things change very quicky. All I'll say about this situation is that, UPL's reaction to how this all develops will say a lot. If you're one of the guys in the room in Buffalo, you have to understand the spot this franchise is in, and the pressure.
- Jeff Marek
The pressure to which he refers in the podcast is Buffalo missing the playoffs a record 14-straight seasons. This means the team will play the goalie that gives them he best chance of winning, and right now that is Alex Lyon.
Yet, as far as Ukko-Pekka Luukkanen was concerned, the net was his to lose, and now it seem he has, having only played in one of his team's 11 games played this season.
It would seem then that Buffalo is in the middle of a goalie dilemma, just as the Oilers are, who've not been getting the quality goaltending the team needs and expects if it's to reach the Finals again.
Buffalo re-signed UPL to a five-year deal with an annual cap hit of $4.75M, which for starting goalies if not unreasonable.
Luukkonen took over the Sabres' goal in 2023-24 and finished the year with a .910 SV% and a 2.57 GAA in 54 games, along with a 27-22-4 record. He started in 55 games the following year.
Now to have only dressed in one Buffalo's 11 games, and relegated to the 3rd goalie position, the Sabres may be forced to find another team for the disgruntled goalie, like Edmonton perhaps, whose need for another starter becomes more and more imminent with each game.
Stan Bowman has run out of time, with fans and analysts all singing the same tune - Skinner isn't cutting it.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 1 | 504 ANSWERS Sabres may be forced to trade number-one goaltender, previously linked to Oilers Is goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkanen an upgrade on Stuart Skinner? | ||
| yes | 314 | 62.3 % |
| no | 190 | 37.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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