What should happen in goal?

[tom webster]

On 6/1/2025 at 2:55 PM, Broken Ankles said:

Just because he can play on his off-hand, doesn’t mean he should.  Dahlin provides flexibility that other defenders do not but for planning, it needs to be RD.  In addition, others on the farm (little Nikita and RJ) are LD and will soon need a vet RD to support.  Let’s cross that bridge now in stead of waiting like they did with Owen. 

Dahlin prefers the right side.

[Drag0nDan]

10 hours ago, 7+6=13 said:

Why?

Probably that 13 game losing streak where he started 9 games did it for me.  Cratered the season, and he didn't play very well for long stretches in the season.  16 starts with a sv% below .850.  He's one of the worst starters in the league.  

4 hours ago, tom webster said:

Dahlin prefers the right side.

Easier to shoot as a lefty on the right, but it makes it more challenging defensively since you're clearing the walls with backhands (or an extra step to get it to your forehand).  

[bob_sauve28]

I think it would be crazy not to offer Reimer a contract. Look at all the old guys that were in the playoffs. Corry Perry is 40 and still contributing. Reimer was our best goalie last year

[Flashsabre]

15 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I think it would be crazy not to offer Reimer a contract. Look at all the old guys that were in the playoffs. Corry Perry is 40 and still contributing. Reimer was our best goalie last year

I want UPL replaced. Get an upgrade as the starter, let Reimer and Levi battle it out for 2 and 3.

[DarthEbriate]

4 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

I want UPL replaced. Get an upgrade as the starter, let Reimer and Levi battle it out for 2 and 3.

Just please not Merzlikins or Korpisalo via the Jarmo connection.

For the record, I don't think GMKA moves on from UPL this offseason. One more year of UPL/Levi/cheap vet is the way they'll roll.

[inkman]

7 hours ago, tom webster said:

Dahlin prefers the right side.

Which is weird because all his metrics explicitly detail he’s significantly better on the left side 

[bob_sauve28]

1 hour ago, Flashsabre said:

I want UPL replaced. Get an upgrade as the starter, let Reimer and Levi battle it out for 2 and 3.

I'm still at the point where maybe he just could not handle a full season as the man. Maybe he is better platooning, getting more rest and learning how to be a better pro. Levi is a complete mystery to me, seems to shine and then not to. But having Reimer--or someone we obtain somewhere else, somehow--as stop gap just makes sense. Finding goaltenders is hard. 

[Weave]

11 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

I'm still at the point where maybe he just could not handle a full season as the man. Maybe he is better platooning, getting more rest and learning how to be a better pro. Levi is a complete mystery to me, seems to shine and then not to. But having Reimer--or someone we obtain somewhere else, somehow--as stop gap just makes sense. Finding goaltenders is hard. 

I really hate the 3 headed monster.  We need a clear cut #1 and go with whoever shines preseason as the #2.  Sign a plan C for Rochester.

[Rasmus_]

LGR4GM, you trust in UPL?   

 

[bob_sauve28]

32 minutes ago, Weave said:

I really hate the 3 headed monster.  We need a clear cut #1 and go with whoever shines preseason as the #2.  Sign a plan C for Rochester.

Who do you have in mind as the number 1? Levi? 

[Weave]

Just now, bob_sauve28 said:

Who do you have in mind as the number 1? Levi? 

Levi wouldn’t be my preference.  We need someone who has demonstrated they are up to the task.  I’m looking to the other 31 teams in the league as well as the free agency list if I am GM.

[bob_sauve28]

3 minutes ago, Weave said:

Levi wouldn’t be my preference.  We need someone who has demonstrated they are up to the task.  I’m looking to the other 31 teams in the league as well as the free agency list if I am GM.

I hope that works, but it will take some luck. 

Maybe we are due for some good luck 

[LGR4GM]

50 minutes ago, Rasmus_ said:

LGR4GM, you trust in UPL?   

 

No

[Taro T]

3 hours ago, inkman said:

Which is weird because all his metrics explicitly detail he’s significantly better on the left side 

 

Would be very interested in the "opponent weighted" analytics on whether he's better on the right or left side.  The team's 2-4 D when all are healthy (at least prior to Bernard-Docker getting brought in and used primarily with Power) have pretty much all been lefties putting Dahlin on the right side.

When he's paired with a righty, he's likely facing the other team's 3rd and 4th lines.  A Norris caliber D-man SHOULD eat those guys up for breakfast.  If he isn't getting easier matchups when on the left side, well, as Emily Lutella used to say "nevermind."

[7+6=13]

7 hours ago, Drag0nDan said:

Probably that 13 game losing streak where he started 9 games did it for me.  Cratered the season, and he didn't play very well for long stretches in the season.  16 starts with a sv% below .850.  He's one of the worst starters in the league.  

Mmmk.  But he's over .500 for his career so expecting to lose more than win if he's in net for 30 games, is at least not supported by the numbers.  

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, 7+6=13 said:

Mmmk.  But he's over .500 for his career so expecting to lose more than win if he's in net for 30 games, is at least not supported by the numbers.  

A more proper evaluation is that the Sabres would have a better record if a more consistent goalie was in net. 

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, 7+6=13 said:

Mmmk.  But he's over .500 for his career so expecting to lose more than win if he's in net for 30 games, is at least not supported by the numbers.  

True, 71-65-15 is over NHL .500. But his wins/loss record is 71-80, below in DeLuca .500.

[Drag0nDan]

16 hours ago, 7+6=13 said:

Mmmk.  But he's over .500 for his career so expecting to lose more than win if he's in net for 30 games, is at least not supported by the numbers.  

71-65-15.  Is that even a winning record when you factor in that overtime losses are still losses? An absolute winner who rode one stretch of good hockey in 2023-2024 to a big paycheck.  

22 goalies started 50+ games in 2024-2025 - UPL had the worst SV%, GAA, GSAA, and GPS.  There's like 2 goalies who had worse seasons that i can even see - Ersson & Georgiev.  If were stuck with him, so be it - but he should not be a part of the "plan".  

Edited 10 hours ago by Drag0nDan

[7+6=13]

22 hours ago, JohnC said:

A more proper evaluation is that the Sabres would have a better record if a more consistent goalie was in net. 

We agree on that for sure.