Player Discussion All Purpose Goaltending Thread

[Jim Bob]

If Levi is being handed the starter role on a plate... I want NEITHER Comrie or UPL sharing the crease with him.

Ship both of those guys out & sign a proven vet such as Andersen or Varlamov on a high dollar / short term deal.

What happens with Raanta and Andersen this off season will be really interesting given how their seasons went in Carolina.

I doubt that either of them would be a really good fit.

Saros is the dream and Vejmelka and Hart are the guys to keep an eye on, IMO.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

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What happens with Raanta and Andersen this off season will be really interesting given how their seasons went in Carolina.

I doubt that either of them would be a really good fit.

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Saros is the dream and Vejmelka and Hart are the guys to keep an eye on, IMO.

I mentioned Andersen/Varlamov simply because they're probably the top two UFAs.

There's no sense in giving up the assets it will take to get Saros if you're handing over the reins to Levi. Those other guys you mentioned as well, but to a much lesser lesser extent....

 

[Jim Bob]

I mentioned Andersen/Varlamov simply because they're probably the top two UFAs.

There's no sense in giving up the assets it will take to get Saros if you're handing over the reins to Levi. Those other guys you mentioned as well, but to a much lesser lesser extent....

I do not see Andersen being a guy that would give the Sabres solid #1 level goaltending if Levi is not ready for the workload that the Sabres might try and give him next season.

 

[Chainshot]

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What happens with Raanta and Andersen this off season will be really interesting given how their seasons went in Carolina.

I doubt that either of them would be a really good fit.

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Saros is the dream and Vejmelka and Hart are the guys to keep an eye on, IMO.

Thoughts on Ingram's possible availability? He performed well behind an Arizona team that had consistency issues with their defensive play at times. I'm more interested in kicking tires on Vejmelka or Hart as the way to bridge to Levi but Ingram's name out there is at least something to kick around. I'm thinking too much like Comrie for most to take the risk, since it would be moving from a less-proven game standpoint to something demanding more games than he's handled. Just wondering your thoughts on him.

 

[Jim Bob]

Thoughts on Ingram's possible availability? He performed well behind an Arizona team that had consistency issues with their defensive play at times. I'm more interested in kicking tires on Vejmelka or Hart as the way to bridge to Levi but Ingram's name out there is at least something to kick around. I'm thinking too much like Comrie for most to take the risk, since it would be moving from a less-proven game standpoint to something demanding more games than he's handled. Just wondering your thoughts on him.

Arizona Coyotes break-up day notebook: Examining the curious case of Connor Ingram - PHNX Sports

Coyotes goalie Connor Ingram played his final game of the season on March 26, stopping 29 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss at Colorado. That capped a run of 17

www.gophnx.com

That certainly is a familiar sounding situation.

Ingram has 30 career NHL games played.

Comrie had 28 career NHL games played prior to signing here last off season.

I would want someone with a lot more experience, and experience as an NHL #1, to pair with Levi next season.

 

[debaser66]

Comrie also had the lowest expected save percentage in the entire league. He got stuck with a lot of games without Samuelsson and they got run over every night.

He should be waived down to be the Rochester goalie next year. No one is putting him on their NHL roster. and if they did they’re just waiving you another Comrie you can take instead

you probably can do that in a game; BUF has to build up a rep for FA willing to sign here; this is not going to help

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I do not see Andersen being a guy that would give the Sabres solid #1 level goaltending if Levi is not ready for the workload that the Sabres might try and give him next season.

What about Varlamov? Use his name if you want.

Both guys would be an upgrade over UPL/Comrie IMO in the sense they have been proven starters & should be available for nothing except cap space.

If some team is willing to trade us a proven starter on a short term contract, for no major assets then that's fine. I just don't like the chances of that happening

 

[Gras]

Comrie also had the lowest expected save percentage in the entire league. He got stuck with a lot of games without Samuelsson and they got run over every night.

He should be waived down to be the Rochester goalie next year. No one is putting him on their NHL roster. and if they did they’re just waiving you another Comrie you can take instead

So Comrie deserves to be waived because of the games played without Mattias.

 

[Jim Bob]

What about Varlamov? Use his name if you want.

Both guys would be an upgrade over UPL/Comrie IMO in the sense they have been proven starters & should be available for nothing except cap space.

If some team is willing to trade us a proven starter on a short term contract, for no major assets then that's fine. I just don't like the chances of that happening

I think Varlamov re-signs with the Isles. They love him there and he loves it there.

And as far as assets go, if they are truly serious about making the playoffs next season, then I believe they need to invest assets that some might consider major to address the two biggest single needs they have: top 4 D and a #1 goalie.

I think expecting Levi to be a 50+ start #1 goalie next season is really, really risky. And I would question how serious they are about making the playoffs next year if they go into next season without a major upgrade in goal.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I think Varlamov re-signs with the Isles. They love him there and he loves it there.

And as far as assets go, if they are truly serious about making the playoffs next season, then I believe they need to invest assets that some might consider major to address the two biggest single needs they have: top 4 D and a #1 goalie.

I think expecting Levi to be a 50+ start #1 goalie next season is really, really risky. And I would question how serious they are about making the playoffs next year if they go into next season without a major upgrade in goal.

It goes without saying that i agree with you when it comes to acquiring another defenceman. And actually - if i were GM - I'd agree with you regarding acquiring a true #1 goalie as well & slow cook Levi in the AHL.

But Adams seems hell bent on riding Levi from day one. I don't see how that can go hand in hand with acquiring a guy like Saros.

 

[Jim Bob]

It goes without saying that i agree with you when it comes to acquiring another defenceman. And actually - if i were GM - I'd agree with you regarding acquiring a true #1 goalie as well & slow cook Levi in the AHL.

But Adams seems hell bent on riding Levi from day one. I don't see how that can go hand in hand with acquiring a guy like Saros.

If they expect Levi to be the #1 next season and they have Comrie and/or UPL behind him, I will not be shocked if they miss the playoffs next year because of goaltending.

 

[Ace]

Any scenario where their plan is Levi as a rookie who has never played a pro schedule and one of UPL/Comrie as the other NHL a goalie is an unmitigated disaster and a monumental mistake. For Levi and for the rest of the team.

It can’t be done.

I don’t care how cheap the option is.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

If they expect Levi to be the #1 next season and they have Comrie and/or UPL behind him, I will not be shocked if they miss the playoffs next year because of goaltending.

I completely agree - see my post above which you originally quoted.

But there's a host of moves to make in-between paying a ransom for a stud #1 like Saros - or doing nothing.

 

[Zip15]

If they expect Levi to be the #1 next season and they have Comrie and/or UPL behind him, I will not be shocked if they miss the playoffs next year because of goaltending.

Sadly, I expect that is precisely the plan. Given the workload they gave Levi down the stretch, I think one can fairly expect that they plan to give him 50+ starts next year. They probably look at it being the next step on his progression after starting 34 games last season, and 41 this season between college and the NHL.

While I'd like to pretend they'll move UPL - he is absolutely the current Zach Bogosian Memorial "Will Look Just Good Enough in Brief Flashes But Ultimately Kill You While You Wait For Him To Put It All Together" title holder (with Jokiharju a worthy #1 contender) - I think they'll go into the season with him as the backup, knowing that Comrie probably will not get claimed if they waive him to Rochester, where he will serve as the organizational #3.

 

[Jim Bob]

I completely agree - see my post above which you originally quoted.

But there's a host of moves to make in-between paying a ransom for a stud #1 like Saros - or doing nothing.

Where did I say Saros or nothing?

 

[Jim Bob]

Sadly, I expect that is precisely the plan. Given the workload they gave Levi down the stretch, I think one can fairly expect that they plan to give him 50+ starts next year. They probably look at it being the next step on his progression after starting 34 games last season, and 41 this season between college and the NHL.

While I'd like to pretend they'll move UPL - he is absolutely the current Zach Bogosian Memorial "Will Look Just Good Enough in Brief Flashes But Ultimately Kill You While You Wait For Him To Put It All Together" title holder (with Jokiharju a worthy #1 contender) - I think they'll go into the season with him as the backup, knowing that Comrie probably will not get claimed if they waive him to Rochester, where he will serve as the organizational #3.

If that is the plan, that has a significant probability of blowing up in their face.

The difference in schedules and workload between college and the NHL is significant. To put the hopes of a playoff team on a goalie coming out of college with less than 100 starts over the past 3 years is not a gamble that I would ever make.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Where did I say Saros or nothing?

Well you mentioned he, Hart (similar situation to Saros) & Vejmelka in your OP.

Of those three I'd only see Vejmelka as being vaguely realistic. But if you believe the stories concerning the Chychrun negotiations.... do you think those 2 GMs would be eager to do business any time soon?

 

[Jim Bob]

Well you mentioned he, Hart (similar situation to Saros) & Vejmelka in your OP.

Of those three I'd only see Vejmelka as being vaguely realistic. But if you believe the stories concerning the Chychrun negotiations.... do you think those 2 GMs would be eager to do business any time soon?

I was focusing in on goalies that have been #1 goalies behind teams that create a similar environment as the Sabres (i.e. not goalie friendly) and had good results.

A good top 4 D is not going to be cheap. A good goalie to go with Levi won't be cheap.

They could run things back again and hope for more internal growth after doing that last off season and seeing a 16 point improvement in the standings and just missing the playoffs.

But, I would prefer a more proactive approach this off season.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

I was focusing in on goalies that have been #1 goalies behind teams that create a similar environment as the Sabres (i.e. not goalie friendly) and had good results.

A good top 4 D is not going to be cheap. A good goalie to go with Levi won't be cheap.

They could run things back again and hope for more internal growth after doing that last off season and seeing a 16 point improvement in the standings and just missing the playoffs.

But, I would prefer a more proactive approach this off season.

Right. But there is a huge difference between the top 4 D & the goalie in this scenario.

A top 4 D would be acquired with the purpose of playing a hugely important 20-25 min/game role from the get go. There's nobody to 'block' whoever is acquired here. So giving up a ransom in terms of picks/prospects/whatever makes total sense.

A goalie would be acquired with the purpose of being a backup - or at best #1B - behind Levi. Not exactly a role you would want to pay a ransom for - nor would you want to be acquiring a guy capable of 'blocking' Levi.

I've already said - multiple times - that if i were GM i'd happily acquire a guy like Saros & slow cook Levi. But we both know that's not going to happen. Adams will live or die by Levi. So we need to be realistic with our expectations relating to this. And i see that best case expectation being a solid, experienced #1B who's a clear upgrade over UPL/Comrie...

 

[Jim Bob]

Right. But there is a huge difference between the top 4 D & the goalie in this scenario.

A top 4 D would be acquired with the purpose of playing a hugely important 20-25 min/game role from the get go. There's nobody to 'block' whoever is acquired here. So giving up a ransom in terms of picks/prospects/whatever makes total sense.

A goalie would be acquired with the purpose of being a backup - or at best #1B - behind Levi. Not exactly a role you would want to pay a ransom for - nor would you want to be acquiring a guy capable of 'blocking' Levi.

I've already said - multiple times - that if i were GM i'd happily acquire a guy like Saros & slow cook Levi. But we both know that's not going to happen. Adams will live or die by Levi. So we need to be realistic with our expectations relating to this. And i see that best case expectation being a solid, experienced #1B who's a clear upgrade over UPL/Comrie...

My guess is what you would call a solid, experienced #1B is not someone who I would count on to be a solid #1B behind this team that is not good defensively and unlikely to be markedly better next season.

If Adams bets on Levi being the #1 or #1A and him being good enough to get them into the playoffs, I will not be as optimistic about them making the playoffs as I am right now.

 

[Chainshot]

Why would there be a problem if they were to obtain a decent starter while Levi is developing? It's not like there isn't an almost constant need for goaltending that a trade could happen if that player were to be displaced.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Why would there be a problem if they were to obtain a decent starter while Levi is developing? It's not like there isn't an almost constant need for goaltending that a trade could happen if that player were to be displaced.

At this point i think we're down to semantics.

I'm all about adding a 'decent' starter. The best guy we can realistically get.

Saros is a lot more than a 'decent starter'. He's a guy that will cost you a ton of assets to acquire - after which you would be obliged to play him in 60+ games.

For the millionth time - this is what I would do if i were GM. But we all know Adams is going to ride Levi.

 

[oldgoalie]

At this point i think we're down to semantics.

I'm all about adding a 'decent' starter. The best guy we can realistically get.

Saros is a lot more than a 'decent starter'. He's a guy that will cost you a ton of assets to acquire - after which you would be obliged to play him in 60+ games.

For the millionth time - this is what I would do if i were GM. But we all know Adams is going to ride Levi.

Stupidity

 

[Dingo44]

Playoffs haven't even started yet. Nothing will happen until after they end. We are going to have to pace ourselves.

 

[Rowley Birkin]

Stupidity

Most of us probably agree with that - me included.

But i don't know what other possible conclusion to come to at this point. It's clear what's going to happen. Adams is infatuated.

IMO the best we can realistically hope for is to acquire a better #1B than UPL/Comrie to insulate the team if/when Levi falters.

If Levi is Miller & UPL is Noronen - we need a guy better than Comrie to be Biron.