Player Discussion All Purpose Goaltending Thread

[sabremike]

Not a very rational way to look at it. Ullmark’s rumored ask was 6x6 to stay here. Roughly what Grubhauer got in Seattle. We reportedly wanted less years and lower AAV. Thats a lot more than a million or so difference.

Ullmark had all the leverage and used it wisely to get a nice deal with a better team. But would have taken even more to stay here. I have no issues with them not handing out that contract or something similar and letting him walk.

If they were going to have a chance to keep him around. It would have been the previous offseason and signing him to a 2 or maybe 3 year deal.

They tried the same "we are so smart and clever" tactic of refusing to lock a guy up long term when they has the chance like with Sam and it blew up in their face even worse as they spent all that time and effort developing Ulmark and literally ended up with nothing to show for it. One thing I will say is that it appears KA has learned from those mistakes with the Tage and Matts deals locking them up long term.

 

[joshjull]

They tried the same "we are so smart and clever" tactic of refusing to lock a guy up long term when they has the chance like with Sam and it blew up in their face even worse as they spent all that time and effort developing Ulmark and literally ended up with nothing to show for it. One thing I will say is that it appears KA has learned from those mistakes with the Tage and Matts deals locking them up long term.

Lets not forget Ralphie boy was here and had a huge say in shaping the team and the decisions made. I’m not sure its so much about Adams learning as it is getting out from under Ralph’s influence as well as surrounded himself with smart people.

 

[joshjull]

I don't care about the numbers because it's not possible to guess what the negotiations were over. So really I care, but I don't think debating about it is productive/useful. Bottom line is that one way or the other, this team let their only legit starter walk with no plan afterward. I don't care which GM had more "fault", or if Ullmark maybe was just using leverage to get out no matter what. Don't care...the scenario was botched.

I think I get what you’re saying now. You don’t care why he ended up leaving or who’s to blame. You're just mad it happened. Fair enough.

 

[Jim Bob]

The Ullmark situation was a perfect storm of bad timing, IMO.

Adams was hired in June 2020. Ullmark was an RFA with one year to UFA. At that point, Ullmark had only started 43% of the Sabres games over the previous two seasons. He had played well when healthy, but he missed a ton of time.

So, Adams gave him a "prove it" deal. Some people felt like there was an opportunity to sign Ullmark to a 3 or 4 year deal at that point. Although, there were also reports that Ullmark wanted more of a commitment to sign for more than one season after filing for arbitration.

In 2020-21, Ullmark only started 20 out of 56 games. That gave him 45% of the starts over the three seasons as the Sabres #1.

And he reportedly wanted 6x6 to re-sign beyond the 2020-21 season. And that at a time when they were still dealing with the Eichel injury saga and Thompson had yet to break out.

He is playing great for the Bruins this season. But, plenty of people were saying the Sabres dodged a bullet when Swayman had become the Bruins #1 during last season.

All that is to say, today it is easy to say that having Ullmark would be better than where the Sabres are today. But, I doubt you see the Ullmark that is playing behind the Bruins being the same goalie if he is playing behind this team. And if he was on a 6x6 deal, that would likely add a ton more pressure than he has right now.

 

[Jim Bob]

Lets look at The Athletic's player cards for some of the goalies that might be out there or that have been talked about with the Sabres:

And then here is Linus:

 

[Jim Bob]

NHL goalie tandem rankings update 1.0: Jets take off, Flames go cold

The Maple Leafs are the biggest surprise so far, while the Rangers have disappointed.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Flames' Markstrom One of Many High-Paid Goalies Struggling - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Jacob Markstrom is among the highest-paid goalies in the NHL, however he isn't the only one struggling to find wins and success in 2022-23.

thehockeywriters.com

There are more than a few goalies that are not giving their teams bang for the buck this season.

5 Best Goalie Acquisitions of 2022 Offseason - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Following a flood of goaltender movement throughout the league, these five already stand out as being the NHL's best offseason acquisitions.

thehockeywriters.com

No One Cause to Sabres Goal Prevention Issues

The Sabres have a goal prevention issue. Many have boiled it down to a goaltending issue, but it’s not that simple. Although, it’s played a big role. Tage Thompson just tied the franchi…

twointhebox.com

Chris has a really good article on the Sabres defensive challenges.

 

[Zman5778]

No One Cause to Sabres Goal Prevention Issues

The Sabres have a goal prevention issue. Many have boiled it down to a goaltending issue, but it’s not that simple. Although, it’s played a big role. Tage Thompson just tied the franchi…

twointhebox.com

Chris has a really good article on the Sabres defensive challenges.

That's a really good article and really shows how our issues are two-fold.

 

[Chainshot]

Hey, some stills that remind me of something... gee... wonder where.

 

[Fearnot]

Risto at 22 games played with 0 points what has happened to that man?

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

That's a really good article and really shows how our issues are two-fold.

No truly definitive solution, especially during the season. There are so many underlying issues between odd man rushes, positioning, goaltending etc. and they seem to change from game to game.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I’m not going to pretend to be some NHL goaltending guru but why can’t Levi be given a shot at the end of this season and possibly be the answer as our starter next year?

I mean, I remember, once upon a time when the Sabres had a starting goalie that was in a US high school the year before and was a 1st team All Star and won rookie of the year…and followed the next season with a dang good year as well. I know….decades ago.

I don’t want to over simplify things but kids are playing around the league every year. Why not goalies?

Mental toughness. You throw a young forward into a game, and he makes a mistake, and most fans don't know. A young defenseman makes a mistake, and some people can see it. When you throw a young goalie into a game, every mistake he makes is magnified. That can crush a kid.

Plus, technique now compared to when Barrasso played is like comparing stick technology from 1980 to now. No comparison. Barrasso couldn't play in today's game without some prep time prior to stepping into the NHL. Goaltending techniques are difficult to master, so you want to start a kid at a level where he can learn and master the position against shooters who aren't going to rip him up. That's why goalies regularly start in the ECHL.

 

[Jim Bob]

Mental toughness. You throw a young forward into a game, and he makes a mistake, and most fans don't know. A young defenseman makes a mistake, and some people can see it. When you throw a young goalie into a game, every mistake he makes is magnified. That can crush a kid.

Plus, technique now compared to when Barrasso played is like comparing stick technology from 1980 to now. No comparison. Barrasso couldn't play in today's game without some prep time prior to stepping into the NHL. Goaltending techniques are difficult to master, so you want to start a kid at a level where he can learn and master the position against shooters who aren't going to rip him up. That's why goalies regularly start in the ECHL.

I think it is less about technique and more about reading plays.

McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Nov. 4 – Craig Anderson vs. Antti Raanta

You can learn a lot watching the wily Anderson and the smooth Raanta, for different reasons.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Old school meets new school. Anderson is one of the most feel-oriented goaltenders in the NHL. Years of experience puts his mind ahead of the play. His saves may not always look conventional by today’s standards, but that’s by design. Anderson has so many tools in the toolbox that his mere presence in the crease can be a mental hurdle for opponents.

I think it was Robin Lehner that said that Anderson is the best goalie he's ever been around when it comes to reading the play.

That is a skill that just takes a ton of game reps. And that means getting young goalies as many starts as possible.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I think it is less about technique and more about reading plays.

McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Nov. 4 – Craig Anderson vs. Antti Raanta

You can learn a lot watching the wily Anderson and the smooth Raanta, for different reasons.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

I think it was Robin Lehner that said that Anderson is the best goalie he's ever been around when it comes to reading the play.

That is a skill that just takes a ton of game reps. And that means getting young goalies as many starts as possible.

That’s part of it. But they are intertwined. It’s good to be able to read plays, and know where to go. But if the goalie can’t get tho the right spot, or more likely, either can’t get to the right spot in time or gets to the right spot with poor form, the shooter is going to win anyway.

 

[Jim Bob]

That’s part of it. But they are intertwined. It’s good to be able to read plays, and know where to go. But if the goalie can’t get tho the right spot, or more likely, either can’t get to the right spot in time or gets to the right spot with poor form, the shooter is going to win anyway.

They are definitely parts of it. I just think that most goalies come to the pro game with way more work to do with regards to reading the play at the pro level than they do with technique work.

There is also a ton of work to do with "being a pro", managing increased workload for most goalies, and all the mental stuff that comes with being "the guy" with a bunch of grown men versus being on teams with age group peers for those that have not come to NA pro with a sizable amount of European pro league experience.

 

[Jim Bob]

Why NHL teams are finding two goalies are better than one

The days of the everyday goalie are pretty much gone, but finding the right balance for a successful tandem is more complicated than it might seem.

www.espn.com

 

[Der Jaeger]

They are definitely parts of it. I just think that most goalies come to the pro game with way more work to do with regards to reading the play at the pro level than they do with technique work.

There is also a ton of work to do with "being a pro", managing increased workload for most goalies, and all the mental stuff that comes with being "the guy" with a bunch of grown men versus being on teams with age group peers for those that have not come to NA pro with a sizable amount of European pro league experience.

The technique alone isn't the issue. It's doing the proper technique at an increased speed. Goalies "feel" rushed and then they get out of sorts.

 

[Zman5778]

They are definitely parts of it. I just think that most goalies come to the pro game with way more work to do with regards to reading the play at the pro level than they do with technique work.

There is also a ton of work to do with "being a pro", managing increased workload for most goalies, and all the mental stuff that comes with being "the guy" with a bunch of grown men versus being on teams with age group peers for those that have not come to NA pro with a sizable amount of European pro league experience.

I think that's one of the reasons why many here are rightfully so high on Levi. Yes, he's a short goalie......but he just seems to exude the whole "being a pro" thing. Seems mature beyond his years AND coachable.

 

[Jim Bob]

I think that's one of the reasons why many here are rightfully so high on Levi. Yes, he's a short goalie......but he just seems to exude the whole "being a pro" thing. Seems mature beyond his years AND coachable.

He has the growth mindset and has constantly worked to get better and better throughout his career. That mindset of constantly trying to improve is something that Adams and company value and is something that is a huge asset for Levi moving forward.

 

[DustyZ]

This team really isn't very goalie friendly tbh.

We can pick on UPL, but man this team just doesn't help their goalies out.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

This team really isn't very goalie friendly tbh.

We can pick on UPL, but man this team just doesn't help their goalies out.

Yeah, it's kind of pointless to try to fix the goalie situation until you get the skaters straightened out first. It's really hard to assess under these conditions. It's a moot point anyway since there are no other decent options available.

 

[Jacob582]

Detroit carrying three goaltenders on their roster. Let's see how long that lasts and who claims Hellberg next.

 

[Gabrielor]

I'll take 1 Reimer if they can't pry out the ARI goalie in a Chychrun deal.

 

[DustyZ]

Ullmark leading the league in GAA, S% and Wins.

Bruins can really draft

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Really glad we didn't acquire John Gibson. His performance is not surprising to me, but I know some on here really wanted him.

 

[Zman5778]

Ullmark leading the league in GAA, S% and Wins.

Bruins can really draft

He was given every chance to stay here. He chose to leave.

Besides.....do you really think he'd put up those numbers behind THIS defense??

Narrator: No, he would not.