Should adding a proven goalie be priority #1 this offseason?

[Fansince70]

On 5/22/2026 at 8:57 AM, apuszczalowski said:

There was a idea thrown out by one of the hockey talking heads about a potential deal of the Jets sending Hellebyuk to Buffalo for Power plus 'assetts'. I'm figuring the additional pieces would be picks, but could also see a goalie going back to them in the deal. UPL could interest them because he is a younger potential replacement with NHL experience for them. More then likely Levi would be the goalie they would want (and it's looking like he wants out for a chance to play at the NHL level).

 

If they bring in someone like this, it will most likely lead to 2 of the 3 NHL level guys being moved out and sticking with just 2 guys at the NHL level. Levi also being moved will require them to look at someone for Rochester who can come in to fill in when someone is injured.

Why not give Levi a chance here first?  We know what we have in the other three.  

[Scottysabres]

50 minutes ago, Fansince70 said:

Why not give Levi a chance here first?  We know what we have in the other three.  

I’m not opposed to putting Levi in a 3 goalie rotation to see what he’s got, but the team is now in a place where they are poised to contend. They need a sure thing as the #1 less we waste more of the current players years continuing experiments that may be fruitless. No, the time is now to go get a true #1 netminder, imho.

Edited May 23 by Scottysabres

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, Fansince70 said:

Why not give Levi a chance here first?  We know what we have in the other three.  

I don't think we have a good picture of Ellis yet. 

[Night Train]

Priority #1 is extending Benson. 

[Fansince70]

3 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I don't think we have a good picture of Ellis yet. 

Agreed. I believe he is the youngest of the three. 

[...]

I've heard the idea to trade UPL, make Lyon the "lead" goalie, and have Ellis and Levi compete for the second and third goalie positions. Obviously, in this scenario Levi is up permanently. 

Trading UPL makes cap room. Ellis and Levi force each other to elevate their games in an NHL context.

Personally, I think Lyon could handle his role in this dynamic and am confident enough in Ellis that he could as well. If Levi finally emerges as an NHL caliber goalie, then Bob's your uncle.

 

[Ross Rhea]

Levi wants out. 

 

Go get a proven #1 as Lyon is a career backup who plays well in stretches and not so well in stretches and UPL just isnt the answer, he wasnt a couple years ago and he isnt going forward, enough of that experiment already.

[dudacek]

4 hours ago, Ross Rhea said:

Levi wants out.

Does he really?

Edited May 24 by dudacek

[...]

1 hour ago, Ross Rhea said:

Levi wants out. 

Oh, have you spoken to him?

You might want to remind him that he has a year left on his contract and that he's following a typical development track for a NHL goalie.

[Archie Lee]

I'm not sure what to read into the change of heart embrace of the 3 goalie system.  Personally, I think it makes sense.  The NHL season is a grind and having 3 capable NHL goalies on the roster can protect against fatigue, injury, over-use. I could see some NHL teams transitioning to a 3 goalie rotation. Of course, there is also the old argument about starting QB's that probably applies to goalies: if you are saying you have more than one starter, it most likely means you don't have any.

As much as I have been in and out and up and down, on UPL the last two years.  I still think he profiles as the most likely of our goalies to emerge as a regular 50 game starter who consistently posts above NHL average goaltending stats. He is a large goalie who at his best plays a quiet game. I think he would benefit from playing on a team that plays a bit more of a defined, repeatable, defensive structure. I guess all goalies would.

Lyon, Ellis, and Levi are all under-sized goalies who need to be more aggressive to cut down shot angles. I think there is a perception that these 3 are more athletic than UPL, but I think that is more size and style than actual athleticism.  These three might have an edge on UPL when it comes to composure. The NHL sample with Ellis and Levi is too small at this point. 

Barring injury, I will be surprised if UPL is not the game one starter next year. 

[Archie Lee]

48 minutes ago, ... said:

Oh, have you spoken to him?

You might want to remind him that he has a year left on his contract and that he's following a typical development track for a NHL goalie.

I have no idea what Levi wants or how he feels about his current status/role/place in the Sabre goaltending hierarchy. I don't have links, but there was a report that he was shopped at the deadline and there have been reports that he is unhappy. Sometimes it is true that where there is smoke there is fire.

To the bolded, I think it should be noted that Sabre management has retroactively  placed Levi on the typical development track for an NHL goalie. It didn't start that way though. In the spring of 2023 they brought him in after his college season, burnt a year of his ELC, and played him extensively down the stretch. The next season, Levi started the first 4 games in what was a clear attempt to establish him as the #1 goalie. Adams specifically rejected the notion that Levi was being rushed and spoke of Levi as being different and special. 

Also, it might be worth noting that Levi was born the same year as NHL goalies Dobes, Silvos, Wolf, and Greaves, and that he is older than Wallstedt, Askorov, and Fowler.

Levi has always had some doubters.  But, it would be revisionism to not acknowledge that his progress and trajectory have been an unqualified disappointment, relative to expectations.  I would imagine that nobody is more disappointed with the current state, than he is. In this context, it would not be at all surprising if Levi is thinking a change of scenery would be for the best. 

Edited May 24 by Archie Lee

[Nacho Libre]

10 hours ago, ... said:

I've heard the idea to trade UPL, make Lyon the "lead" goalie, and have Ellis and Levi compete for the second and third goalie positions. Obviously, in this scenario Levi is up permanently. 

Trading UPL makes cap room. Ellis and Levi force each other to elevate their games in an NHL context.

Personally, I think Lyon could handle his role in this dynamic and am confident enough in Ellis that he could as well. If Levi finally emerges as an NHL caliber goalie, then Bob's your uncle.

 

This makes me nervous. UPL and Lyon worked because we could go back and forth. Without both options, either would be sunk individually. It’s a 2 or nothing scenario. Risking half of the dynamic (and thus the full dynamic) to the hope of Ellis or Levi emerging as equal to UPL/Lyon is a needless risk to take when we are so reliant on it to win. Levi frankly probably isn’t an NHLer likely ever and Ellis while promising again isn’t something to risk your season on when we are arguably cup contenders. I’d be inclined to cut cap corners elsewhere

If Levi doesn’t have it, Ellis isn’t going to make him grow a couple inches through competition and will power 

Edited May 24 by Nacho Libre

[Eleven]

No.  Lyon and Ellis.

[Huckleberry]

There are not many proven goalies, they come at a premium price.    I'm thinking it would cost more than we got for Eichel to get one.

 

[DarthEbriate]

15 hours ago, ... said:

I've heard the idea to trade UPL, make Lyon the "lead" goalie, and have Ellis and Levi compete for the second and third goalie positions. Obviously, in this scenario Levi is up permanently. 

Trading UPL makes cap room. Ellis and Levi force each other to elevate their games in an NHL context.

Personally, I think Lyon could handle his role in this dynamic and am confident enough in Ellis that he could as well. If Levi finally emerges as an NHL caliber goalie, then Bob's your uncle.

 

No.

Keep one big goalie. It’s Levi or Ellis as a future tandem guy, but the other part of the tandem needs to be a guy who will make saves simply by filling the net.

[DarthEbriate]

We’ve seen Luukkonen put together two half-seasons of very good goaltending. If he can get even more consistent as he enters his prime, he can be a tandem 1A. The issue is he’s still prone to weak starts to games. And it took him 7 games to get back into the playoffs because Lyon was more trustworthy despite game2-3 debacles vs Montreal.

The thing is … Luukkonen could still be improving and getting more consistent. That’s the wager/bet the GM would have to be willing to take.

What I’ve seen is he’s a tandem guy when he’s on. But he’s not a stud. He’s not “the guy”. Find him a solid partner as Lyon was this year and he’s alright.

Is anlright enough? Or do you need a stud to win the Cup? Can Jarmo build a lineup that doesn’t need a Hasek and can get by with an Osgood?

[Turbo44]

7 hours ago, ... said:

Oh, have you spoken to him?

You might want to remind him that he has a year left on his contract and that he's following a typical development track for a NHL goalie.

Why such angst to Ross? Multiple insiders said he wants out and is done in buffalo

[DarthEbriate]

If you’re Levi and you believe in yourself, then you should want out.

They have a starter salary, a proven backup for another season, and a comparable guy to yourself that they kept on the big league roster all last year over you. To hell with them. 

[...]

On 5/21/2026 at 9:53 AM, ... said:

Goaltending wasn't the Sabres' issue in the playoffs. Their issue was puck management.

Jarmo is correct to not worry about the three-headed monster. It served them well in the regular season.

UPL - 2.51(GAA)    .909(SV%) 25-26 regular season
Lyon - 2.77(GAA)    .906(SV%) 25-26 regular season

Save Percentage: The Sabres maintained a team save percentage of .899, which was above the league average of .889, making them 3rd in the entire NHL.

5-on-5 Efficiency: At 5-on-5, the Sabres posted a .920 save percentage, outperforming the league average of .913. making them 4th overall.

 

 

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

Is anlright enough? Or do you need a stud to win the Cup? Can Jarmo build a lineup that doesn’t need a Hasek and can get by with an Osgood?

Again, not a UPL fan. If he stays, then okay.

But.

What are we trying to find, a #1 that can achieve better than 3rd in the league in SV%? Better than 4th at 5v5? If you want to guarantee that performance from a single guy you're going to have PAY.

Meanwhile we have top-5 goal-tending already on the roster. Maybe we have a little better with the kiddos.

[...]

1 hour ago, Turbo44 said:

Why such angst to Ross? Multiple insiders said he wants out and is done in buffalo

Marek is the only one, and it was a hot-take on a podcast. 

“I am pretty sure the Ottawa Senators checked in with Buffalo on Devon Levi and it’s over with the Buffalo Sabres and Devon Levi.”  ~ Jeff Marek, speaking on the Coming in Hot podcast.

Find us another. Ideally one who claims they have a source and isn't a washed-up reporter trying to survive in the age of podcasts.

[dudacek]

15 hours ago, Turbo44 said:

Why such angst to Ross? Multiple insiders said he wants out and is done in buffalo

 

14 hours ago, ... said:

Marek is the only one, and it was a hot-take on a podcast. 

“I am pretty sure the Ottawa Senators checked in with Buffalo on Devon Levi and it’s over with the Buffalo Sabres and Devon Levi.”  ~ Jeff Marek, speaking on the Coming in Hot podcast.

Find us another. Ideally one who claims they have a source and isn't a washed-up reporter trying to survive in the age of podcasts.

@... has it right from what I’ve seen: it’s just been Marek tossing stuff at the wall and people repeating it.

That said, everything Jarmo has said and done tells me Levi won’t be in Buffalo next season.

He’s waiver eligible and good enough to be on an NHL roster next year: same situation as Arturs Silovs and Colten Ellis last year.

 

[Fansince70]

On 5/23/2026 at 4:49 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

I don't think we have a good picture of Ellis yet. 

True, he had a few remarkable games for Buffalo.  

[Fansince70]

20 hours ago, ... said:

 

Again, not a UPL fan. If he stays, then okay.

But.

What are we trying to find, a #1 that can achieve better than 3rd in the league in SV%? Better than 4th at 5v5? If you want to guarantee that performance from a single guy you're going to have PAY.

Meanwhile we have top-5 goal-tending already on the roster. Maybe we have a little better with the kiddos.

Having to start the likes of UPL as the only option in Game 7 should be unacceptable.  Hopefully next season shakes out a reliable starter.  

[Nacho Libre]

Our D is exceptional and the strength of the team so the priority there is just maintaining the status quo

I’d be exploring a goaltender upgrade and would be willing to pay but it’s not the priority unless a true big fish is available, and I’d actually be ok with status quo there, too, with both UPL and Lyon back in a tandem, provided:

We upgrade at F which is, to me, the priority. Specifically: a playmaking C. I think this is where Jarmo’s head might be at, too, and the necessity of the quality of the player being substantial only increases under the scenario we lose Tuch, but exists as the priority regardless imo. Two birds one stone imo, with its potential benefits for the powerless play.

- - - 

I actually do think we are in a good spot where it may mostly be tweaking aside from that one big addition 

would be pretty excited by something like:

Benson - Thomas - Thompson

Doan - McLeod - Tuch

Kulich - Helenius - Quinn

Zucker - Östlund - Malenstyn 

Samuelsson - Dahlin

Byram - Power

Metsa - Timmins

 

Lyon/UPL

 

- I think that’d be pretty much ready to rock. Lines just one way to do it but I’d say it’s a top level top 6, with an extremely formidable top line in particular. 
- Norris and his 8 mil cap hit jettisoned for Thomas’s.
-If Helenius has to go in the Thomas trade bump up Östlund and run a more traditional 4th line. Not sure if Zucker really fits there anyway: Greenway and Krebs cap casualties to help make Tuch work, Zucker there if too on that front if necessary. Even Malenstyn but he’s be the last grit guy I’d be looking to lose. 
-no idea if the cap works

 

Edited May 25 by Nacho Libre

[Night Train]

Speaking of Levi

I heard a couple area Rochester sports guys say Levi wasn't helped much with the guys in front of them. Said the team D stunk. They think he's far better than the present talk,  Feel free to respond. I saw 2 Rochester games. Those nights, he was brilliant but others here know more.