Matt Ress
Don't sleep on me
Well if 6k performs like he did in the second half, there doesn't seem to be a need but I whole heartedly agree with playing your best players.
Player Discussion All Purpose Goaltending Thread
- Thread starter Der Jaeger
- Start date
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
I think James Reimer is going to surprise some people.
He has been one of the most consistently good goalies despite playing in a wide variety of environments over the past 5 years.
And if they start with 3 goalies in Buffalo again this year...
He has been one of the most consistently good goalies despite playing in a wide variety of environments over the past 5 years.
And if they start with 3 goalies in Buffalo again this year...
Jacob582
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Lance has been saying this all summer. This isn't new information he's reporting on.
Lance quotes Adams from June:
"We are going to have two real talented goaltenders playing on a nightly basis," Adams said. "Which I think is great. And then we’ll make sure we have depth covered. It’s a conversation that we’re open to looking at different options, different things. But that’s our plan at the moment."
***
So they are also open to looking at different options, different things. And that was there plan "at the moment".
It doesn't seem like an Adams thing to risk losing their #3 goalie to waivers. I could be wrong. After several years of having a shortage of goalies because teams were looking to sign real solid 3rd string goalies, it now seems like there is a glut of goalies. Duffer seemed to think lots of goalies like Reimer clear waivers. I don't fully agree.
Hopefully it's two real talented goaltenders playing on a nightly basis. One for the Sabres, one for the Amerks.
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I think the 3 headed goalie monster will be around for a few games maybe until a couple games each. Then ,if all things being equal, Levi will be sent down unless Levi is lights out and then it isn't all things being equal. If Reimer shits the bed, then it would make slipping past waivers a little easier. Will be an interesting watch to start the season.
Jacob582
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Will they start UPL in back to back games to start the season? If not, Levi may start game number 2 if he looks better than Reimer. They will bring three goalies to Europe since they are allowed an expanded roster.
I don't think they will carry 3 long term. Last year they had 5 goalies (UPL, Comrie, Levi, Tokarski, Cooley) under NHL contract, this year they have 4 (UPL, Reimer, Levi, Sandstrom). Houser can cover some in Rochester, but I don't think that's their long term goal for the season.
I don't think they will carry 3 long term. Last year they had 5 goalies (UPL, Comrie, Levi, Tokarski, Cooley) under NHL contract, this year they have 4 (UPL, Reimer, Levi, Sandstrom). Houser can cover some in Rochester, but I don't think that's their long term goal for the season.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Fezzy126
Rebuilding...
- May 10, 2017
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Some people seem to assume that playing more games in Rochester would be better for Levi's development than a time share in the NHL. I'm not sure this is the case. Sure, reps are reps, but the AHL has less talent and is much less structured.
In fact, both Ullmark and UPL commented about this and both had better numbers in the NHL than the A. I'd send Levi down if and only if Reimer is clearly better, which is something I'll be shocked about if it actually happens.
Ultimately goalies are voodoo to me so I'll defer to the goalie nerds. But Levi was already good at the NHL level and elite at the AHL level last year, if he develops a little bit and doesn't take a step back, there's no reason we shouldn't see a ~60%/40% split of NHL games between UPL and Levi.
In fact, both Ullmark and UPL commented about this and both had better numbers in the NHL than the A. I'd send Levi down if and only if Reimer is clearly better, which is something I'll be shocked about if it actually happens.
Ultimately goalies are voodoo to me so I'll defer to the goalie nerds. But Levi was already good at the NHL level and elite at the AHL level last year, if he develops a little bit and doesn't take a step back, there's no reason we shouldn't see a ~60%/40% split of NHL games between UPL and Levi.
Old Navy Goat
Registered User
0 chance Reimer would make it through waivers. You play Levi in Rochester and call him up for back to backs that are relatively local ie Toronto, Ottawa, Pittsburgh so he gets NHL reps without risking the loss of Reimer
MarkusKetterer
Shoulda got one game in
I’ve said numerous times that 6K had shitty numbers in the A, because it’s more chaotic. And also a double hip surgery takes at least a couple of years to recover from.
Levi should be in the A, because they have way more practice time down there. Especially seeing the team now has a goalie that I wanted them to sign 3 years ago to be the starter, and has been fine since then on shitty teams.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
Ah, the legendary "goalies are voodoo" comment.
Goaltender is the most mentally challenging position in all of sports. Reps for a skater aren't the same as reps for a goaltender. Sitting on a bench and time-sharing is not good for a young goalie's development. Buffalo should keep Levi in the AHL unless he's called up with the intent to start him in Buffalo.
The structure and talent of the AHL are irrelevant. Some NHL goalies have started in the ECHL, which is a league which rarely produces an NHL level player outside of goalies. Being able to put the technique together with reading the play, and understanding angles, shooter tendencies, etc. can happen at any level. Levi isn't getting that wearing a baseball cap in a 60/40 time share.
This isn't just my opinion. I asked Mitch Korn about it. That's his opinion too.
We aren't voodoo. This position is just f***ing hard- mentally and physically. Back in the 70s there was a great magazine article about goaltending called "Knight in a Padded Cell". That's truer today than it was back in the day. Standing in front of people firing a 3oz frozen disc of rubber at over 100 miles per hour at you takes some serious mental gymnastics.Ah, the legendary "goalies are voodoo" comment.
Goaltender is the most mentally challenging position in all of sports. Reps for a skater aren't the same as reps for a goaltender. Sitting on a bench and time-sharing is not good for a young goalie's development. Buffalo should keep Levi in the AHL unless he's called up with the intent to start him in Buffalo.
The structure and talent of the AHL are irrelevant. Some NHL goalies have started in the ECHL, which is a league which rarely produces an NHL level player outside of goalies. Being able to put the technique together with reading the play, and understanding angles, shooter tendencies, etc. can happen at any level. Levi isn't getting that wearing a baseball cap in a 60/40 time share.
This isn't just my opinion. I asked Mitch Korn about it. That's his opinion too.
MarkusKetterer
Shoulda got one game in
unfortunately, this is a typical attitude in Canada.
Just like many thought Cujo deserved the Vezina over Dom in 1999
ValJamesDuex
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Current Sabres Organizational Prospect Goalie Depth:
Devon Levi - Buffalo/Rochester
Scott Ratzlaff - Seattle WHL
Topias Leinonen Mora IK Sweden
Ryerson Leenders Brantford OHL (traded to 8/24)
Devon Levi - Buffalo/Rochester
Scott Ratzlaff - Seattle WHL
Topias Leinonen Mora IK Sweden
Ryerson Leenders Brantford OHL (traded to 8/24)
Zman5778
Moderator
Houser I think has a 2-way AHL/ECHL deal with Rochester. Yeah, he's not TECHNICALLY Buffalo property, but I consider him part of the organizational depth. He's been on an NHL 2-way before.
ValJamesDuex
Registered User
- Nov 4, 2021
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Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Which NHL teams are best at drafting goalies?
The teams that have the best goalies almost always acquired them through the draft but finding that player is one of the most difficult tasks scouts face. It’s a hard puzzle to crack. Let’s take a look at how well teams have done.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
That door should not only be closed, but triple locked and the key placed into a block of concrete and thrown into the Niagara River.
Der Jaeger
Generational EBUG
Good goalie depth in the organization. You always want to have a few developing. Due to the mental aspects of the game, it's hard to predict which players will develop.
The 3 goalie thing shouldn't be a thing. UPL and Reimer in Buffalo. Reimer plays if UPL gets hurt of pulled, and a few back-to-back road games.
When the Sabres have home back-to-back games, paper transaction someone to Rochester and bring Levi up to start a game, then send him back down.
Non-UPL starts:
Road: Reimer against Columbus (October 17), San Jose (November 22), Islanders (November 30), Washington (December 14), Seattle (January 20), Winnipeg (March 23), Philly (March 29), Florida or Tampa Bay (April 12-13)
Levi starts against New Jersey (October 5)
Home: Levi starts against Islanders (November 1), Toronto (December 20), San Jose (March 4), Boston (April 6)
Reimer gets 8 road starts
Levi gets 5 starts (4 home and 1 road)
That should be the going-in plan, then adjust based on UPL's workload. He'd be at 69 games. Saros played 64 to lead the league last season, and UPL played 54 games. I'd adjust about 9 more games to Reimer (primarily road games) and Levi (home games) to get UPL to about 60 games.
The 3 goalie thing shouldn't be a thing. UPL and Reimer in Buffalo. Reimer plays if UPL gets hurt of pulled, and a few back-to-back road games.
When the Sabres have home back-to-back games, paper transaction someone to Rochester and bring Levi up to start a game, then send him back down.
Non-UPL starts:
Road: Reimer against Columbus (October 17), San Jose (November 22), Islanders (November 30), Washington (December 14), Seattle (January 20), Winnipeg (March 23), Philly (March 29), Florida or Tampa Bay (April 12-13)
Levi starts against New Jersey (October 5)
Home: Levi starts against Islanders (November 1), Toronto (December 20), San Jose (March 4), Boston (April 6)
Reimer gets 8 road starts
Levi gets 5 starts (4 home and 1 road)
That should be the going-in plan, then adjust based on UPL's workload. He'd be at 69 games. Saros played 64 to lead the league last season, and UPL played 54 games. I'd adjust about 9 more games to Reimer (primarily road games) and Levi (home games) to get UPL to about 60 games.
This is 100% what the plan 'should' be.
I feel like the front office is going to try to send Reimer to Rochester and lose him to a team that has a goalie injury. We will see, maybe they learned their lesson after last year....but, my gut feeling is they ride with UPL and Levi and will be a goalie/hip/knee/groin away from disaster all season.
Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Given the huge gap in talent between Reimer/Levi and Sandstrom, if they try and waive Reimer to Rochester (barring an absolutely horrible preseason by Reimer), he gets claimed, and they are left with Sandstrom as #3 on the goalie depth chart...
