GDT: Detroit Red Wings @ Buffalo Sabres, 22 Oct 2025, 7:30 pm ET, TV: TNT, HBO Max, FDSNDETX, Radio: WGR 550

[SabreFinn]

I would not put Ellis on waivers before we know UPL can play, stay healthy and make saves against NHL players. Rather the three headed monster until that.

[shrader]

6 minutes ago, SabreFinn said:

I would not put Ellis on waivers before we know UPL can play, stay healthy and make saves against NHL players. Rather the three headed monster until that.

But Geersten! Oh the horror!

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, shrader said:

But Geersten! Oh the horror!

I've heard he's the reason we're winning games. 

[LGR4GM]

15 hours ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Mule doing his job 

You know who hasn't annoyed me much this season? Samuelsson of all players.

[SabreFinn]

2 minutes ago, shrader said:

But Geersten! Oh the horror!

Yeah, someone might claim him of waivers 

[Crusader1969]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

You know who hasn't annoyed me much this season? Samuelsson of all players.

100%.  

Was just reading that if the Sabres waive him before having him on roster for 30 days, the Blues can claim him and send him directly to AHL.  So makes sense for them to carry 3 (if necessary) till after that time 

[mjd1001]

28 minutes ago, SabreFinn said:

I would not put Ellis on waivers before we know UPL can play, stay healthy and make saves against NHL players. Rather the three headed monster until that.

I'd want to see him play at least one or two more NHL games... Plus you have to realize the team is getting a good look at him in practice that we're not. 

If he plays well in another NHL game... And he looks good in practice and is fitting in... You have to seriously consider not putting him on waivers. 

Besides put him on waivers and what's the end game? If he doesn't get picked up? Send him to Rochester? Where he is just going to split time with Levi?

[PASabreFan]

Sabres 3-1 with DB in the LU.

I'll show myself out.

[kas23]

Sabres are in a pickle with regards to Ellis and UPL. I don’t think his performance last night was a fluke. He has shown excellent ability, better than UPL in fact, in the AHL. We know what we get with UPL. I wonder if we roll the dice on Ellis. Between Ellis, the lion, and Levi, I think we would be fine. 

[Jorcus]

There is just no way we can go with Ellis as the second man in the rotation. This is the Levi situation 2.0. Not trusting this season to a rookie goaltender. 

[kas23]

6 minutes ago, Jorcus said:

There is just no way we can go with Ellis as the second man in the rotation. This is the Levi situation 2.0. Not trusting this season to a rookie goaltender. 

What was Levi 21 or 22 when he was given games and a bunch more the next season? At least Ellis is 25 and right around the time when a rookie goalie should be given a decent chance.

 

It comes down to who we think is the better player, UPL or Ellis. The catcher is we can’t answer this, and this is probably more of a negative on UPL. Come to think of it, his only really good stretch was at the end of 2023-24 season. Besides that, fairly mediocre. 

Edited 2 hours ago by kas23

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, shrader said:

He played part of one game before getting hurt. Whether or not he like it, UPL needs more than just one rehab game before he’s ready to go. 

 

2 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

Others said upthread that conditioning stints have fixed timelines. I don't think there's as much flexibility as you imply.

I don't think the Sabres want or need to further evaluate Lyon - he's a known commodity at this point.

Unless there is a hard fast NHL rule, @shrader makes a good point on UPL. He injured himself in one game. I want to be sure he can last 3-4 games before he gets brought back up. That's a totally valid argument for keeping UPL in Rochester for a while longer.

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

I've heard he's the reason we're winning games. 

There you go twisting stuff around again.

If you're referring to our discussion the other day, my point was I don't care if Geersten is on the roster, as long as the Sabres are winning.  You turned that into something so far from that basic statement that I had to just leave you in your own stew.

[...]

5 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

that's good analysis. hockey is in many ways a game of mistakes - and of minimizing your mistakes. the sabres need both dahlin and thompson to round into form - neither are quite there right now.

 

 

This is the effect of Meatball's "offense first, defense some other time" coaching/teaching philosophy. He's almost permanently damaged that generation of Sabres.

[Ctaeth]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I've heard he's the reason we're winning games. 

You've been listening to peters and rivet?  😄

[Mr Peabody]

Would UPL get claimed with that $5M salary?

[Porous Five Hole]

2 minutes ago, Mr Peabody said:

Would UPL get claimed with that $5M salary?

Could you imagine UPL & Levi battling for the starting job in Rochester? 😂😂

[Jorcus]

21 minutes ago, Mr Peabody said:

Would UPL get claimed with that $5M salary?

I am certain he would. As I posted in the other thread his record is 155 games 71 / 65/ 15. His save percentage is low at .898 but he was playing behind young crappy buffalo defenders including forwards and blue liners.

[LGR4GM]

4 minutes ago, Jorcus said:

I am certain he would. As I posted in the other thread his record is 155 games 71 / 65/ 15. His save percentage is low at .898 but he was playing behind young crappy buffalo defenders including forwards and blue liners.

Out of something like 56 qualifying goalies last season, upl was 54th in goals saved above expected. It wasn't just the defense. 

[kas23]

2 hours ago, Crusader1969 said:

100%.  

Was just reading that if the Sabres waive him before having him on roster for 30 days, the Blues can claim him and send him directly to AHL.  So makes sense for them to carry 3 (if necessary) till after that time 

This is what I don’t understand. It sounds like he is not waiver exempt. STL tried to send him to the AHL and we claimed him. So, wouldn’t he have to go through waivers again if STL tried to send him to the AHL?