Who Is Our Best Goalie?

[Taro T]

3 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I know I'm repeating myself from a couple of days ago, but.... Why is the team continuing to carry three goalies? 

Lindy ruff himself says it's challenging for him and for the goalies. Former goaltenders like Marty Baron have said it's a bad situation for the three goaltenders on the team. I can't think of who it was, but in the past couple of years I remember hearing goaltenders who were part of the three goaltender tandem saying it was hard to play that way. 

Common Sense tells you that when you never know if you're playing, backing up, or going to be sitting in the press conference a week in advance, it's got to be really hard. 

So why aren't they doing something about this? 

My favored solution has always been find someone who will take UPL, even if it's for a very small return... But why are they letting this go on when the coach is practically begging for it to stop?

IF the team really is close to removing Adams of GM duties, would like the 3 headed goalie monster to remain for 1-3 more weeks - however long it is until Pegula plans on pulling the trigger on Adams removal.

If they AREN'T close to removing him; then yes, get what you can for UPL today and move on.

[quill]

As of right now I think UPL is our best goalie and our worst goalie. If things stay the same with the 3 goalies we currently have, I think Ellis will eventually become our best chance of becoming a true #1 goalie.

[Big Guava]

32 minutes ago, quill said:

As of right now I think UPL is our best goalie and our worst goalie. If things stay the same with the 3 goalies we currently have, I think Ellis will eventually become our best chance of becoming a true #1 goalie.

What about Levi?

[bob_sauve28]

8 hours ago, Big Guava said:

What about Levi?

Not impressing, I guess 

[The Jokeman]

It doesn't matter as don't think any of them the #1 we need. I proposed it over on the sister site that is take a swing at getting Juuse Saros from Nashville assuming he'd play him. Package UPL, Tuch, prospects, picks whatever takes as we need a bonafide #1 to end this mediocrity/bad spot we are in. 

[PerreaultForever]

On 12/11/2025 at 3:42 AM, French Collection said:

I would like to see Levi and Ellis be the tandem next year. 

I hear you, as they have the most upside, but you have to realize that's essentially rolling with 2 rookies or unproven players. We'd all like Levi to become the guy but right now he's still just an AHL guy. It's very very risky. I'd still like to see an established vet in there and then whichever of Levi or Ellis is better wins the other spot. If they both outplay the vet then so be it. 

[French Collection]

8 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

I hear you, as they have the most upside, but you have to realize that's essentially rolling with 2 rookies or unproven players. We'd all like Levi to become the guy but right now he's still just an AHL guy. It's very very risky. I'd still like to see an established vet in there and then whichever of Levi or Ellis is better wins the other spot. If they both outplay the vet then so be it. 

Now that KA being gone is a strong possibility, acquiring an experienced goalie could happen.

At this point I just want anyone to provide average goaltending and give this team a chance to win every night.

[bob_sauve28]

On 12/11/2025 at 1:04 PM, quill said:

As of right now I think UPL is our best goalie and our worst goalie. If things stay the same with the 3 goalies we currently have, I think Ellis will eventually become our best chance of becoming a true #1 goalie.

That's how I see it. UPL is just so unpredictable. But so are so many other goalies, look at Skinner, a really good goalie a lot of the time, other times, not so much. Lyon seems like a slightly above average goaltender. Sabres biggest problem is they give up too many goals 5v5. Is that the goaltending? Partly, and they need better play from that position. I'd go with Ellis more and hope he grows into the job, but I guess the brass thinks UPL can be that guy again. Hope they are correct 

[JohnC]

3 hours ago, French Collection said:

Now that KA being gone is a strong possibility, acquiring an experienced goalie could happen.

At this point I just want anyone to provide average goaltending and give this team a chance to win every night.

We have an experienced goalie in Lyon. He's certainly not an elite goalie but is as good as any goalie that could be acquired on the market right now. There's no question that an elite goalie is a difference maker. That caliber of goalie is usually kept by most well-run franchises. The problem for the hometown club is the roster and the way it is constructed. The GM needed to add another top six forward to the roster. He didn't. The Sabres have three goalies on the roster and Levi in Rochester. In my view, one of them has to go. I'm not fretting over which one is dispatched. 

[French Collection]

8 minutes ago, JohnC said:

We have an experienced goalie in Lyon. He's certainly not an elite goalie but is as good as any goalie that could be acquired on the market right now. There's no question that an elite goalie is a difference maker. That caliber of goalie is usually kept by most well-run franchises. The problem for the hometown club is the roster and the way it is constructed. The GM needed to add another top six forward to the roster. He didn't. The Sabres have three goalies on the roster and Levi in Rochester. In my view, one of them has to go. I'm not fretting over which one is dispatched. 

You never know what shakes loose. Hart shining in Vegas could push Hill to want out. There could be a few scenarios like that.

[JohnC]

5 minutes ago, French Collection said:

You never know what shakes loose. Hart shining in Vegas could push Hill to want out. There could be a few scenarios like that.

We'll see. If something like that happens it is more likely to happen in the offseason. And from a Hill perspective, he's currently with a Cup contending team. Why would he want to go to an acknowledged ghetto franchise at this time than be where he is right now? 

[Ctaeth]

[quill]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

We'll see. If something like that happens it is more likely to happen in the offseason. And from a Hill perspective, he's currently with a Cup contending team. Why would he want to go to an acknowledged ghetto franchise at this time than be where he is right now? 

Very true. However, there is a chance it could take place before the deadline. For example, the Montreal Canadiens are even more desperate for a goalie right now than we are, and they are more likely to make the playoffs than the Sabres. Maybe they would be willing to take a chance on UPL and give up a lot to get him, and if so, maybe a smart new Sabres GM could make that trade work for us? We would still have Lyon and hopefully Ellis will return healthy soon.

[PerreaultForever]

7 hours ago, French Collection said:

Now that KA being gone is a strong possibility, acquiring an experienced goalie could happen.

At this point I just want anyone to provide average goaltending and give this team a chance to win every night.

Well today on twitter I'm reading that Adams is actually signed for another year which is like a wtf? But there it is. He may never leave. 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, quill said:

Very true. However, there is a chance it could take place before the deadline. For example, the Montreal Canadiens are even more desperate for a goalie right now than we are, and they are more likely to make the playoffs than the Sabres. Maybe they would be willing to take a chance on UPL and give up a lot to get him, and if so, maybe a smart new Sabres GM could make that trade work for us? We would still have Lyon and hopefully Ellis will return healthy soon.

No one is going give up a lot for UPL. If it is decided that he is the odd man out in the current trio rotation, then trade him or whoever, and get what you can get. In my view, it would be good for UPL to go to another team and have a fresh start. One of the main criticisms that KA has received by many over the past number of years is how he has handled the goalie position. No question that it is warranted. 

[Rasmus_]

Our best goalie is on another roster waiting for us to acquire him.  Unless Levi is the savior, it's certainly not Lyon, UPL or Ellis (at least yet).