Player Discussion All Purpose Goaltending Thread

[Jim Bob]

Sure seems like they are going to go Levi/UPL. If they aren't in at least 8th position by mid-season, I predict that Adams gets nervous and then goes for an upgrade in net. If and until then, optimism is the name of the game. UPL is playing for his next contract and his Rochester days are finished.

What I dont want to see is another Cerberus situation in net.

Given the challenge of adjusting to a new team mid-season, that is not the best plan out there.

 

[Fjordy]

Given the challenge of adjusting to a new team mid-season, that is not the best plan out there.

Yeap, it is also much more difficult to get good goalie during the season, it is easier to do it now.

 

[Ace]

Kevyn Adams has had a goalie problem for long enough that we now have a Kevyn Adams problem.

Two years ago we weren’t trying to win so people excused it.

Last year was a development year so people excused it.

This year we not only risk the season but Levi’s development if he does not add a veteran who can split starts and step in when the 21 year old who has never played a pro schedule has to take a step back. This isn’t playing 34 games only on weekends with limited travel against college players. This is the best league in the world. Beyond the team deserving far better…Levi needs far better than the team’s only hope when he struggles being a young player who hasnt put it together. What excuse will there be this time?

People talk about how Adams may be too in love with his assets to make moves. I wish he cared about them enough to manage them correctly. Took him another year to think maybe his young D could use a vet presence. Sitting at square one with Levi DESPITE saying over and over what Craig Anderson meant to the room and team confidence and the young goalies. Guess that was just a bunch of bullshit.

Unacceptable.

 

[Fjordy]

 

[Zman5778]

Kevyn Adams has had a goalie problem for long enough that we now have a Kevyn Adams problem.

The summer is over already, eh?

 

[Fjordy]

People talk about how Adams may be too in love with his assets to make moves.

You probably don't even need to spend valuable assets to get a better and more experienced goalie than UPL and Comrie.

 

[Gabrielor]

The summer is over already, eh?

Dunking is a moving target. The moment it isn't cap, it's something else. If they trade for a goalie, it'll be the next thing.

A.B.C.

Always Be Criticizing.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

0:48 - "I like what we have."

Don't know how much clearer Adams can state his position short of an explicit "we will not be acquiring a goalie". He's obviously rolling with UPL-Levi-Comrie to start the season.

I think that doesn't change unless he's forced to make a move mid-season - e.g. Levi sent down and UPL disappoints.

Anything but a playoff spot will be a setback for this team, and Adams is rolling the dice on 3 unproven starters. Do not like.

His point about cleaning up aspects of the Sabres' play to help the tenders is well taken.

 

[BUCKSHOT]

"I like what we have."

Don't know how much clearer Adams can state his position short of an explicit "we will not be acquiring a goalie". He's obviously rolling with UPL-Levi-Comrie to start the season.

I think that doesn't change unless he's forced to make a move mid-season - e.g. Levi sent down and UPL disappoints.

Anything but a playoff spot will be a setback for this team, and Adams is rolling the dice on 3 unproven starters. Do not like.

What is he going to say ?
"Our goalies suck "

He was 'happy with his defense' a week ago ....

I'll believe he is done 'looking' in September

 

[Zman5778]

0:48 - "I like what we have."

Don't know how much clearer Adams can state his position short of an explicit "we will not be acquiring a goalie". He's obviously rolling with UPL-Levi-Comrie to start the season.

Of course that's the takeaway quote. Go look at the Free Agency thread. I listened to the entire press conference live and posted updates.

In more or less the same statement where he vouched for the 3 goalies on the roster, he said that he hadn't shut the door on bringing someone else in if it made sense. The overall sense around his statements around the goalies was "I'm happy with what we have, improving the D will help what we have......but I'm still looking".

The door is absolutely NOT closed on bringing in another goalie.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Of course that's the takeaway quote. Go look at the Free Agency thread. I listened to the entire press conference live and posted updates.

In more or less the same statement where he vouched for the 3 goalies on the roster, he said that he hadn't shut the door on bringing someone else in if it made sense. The overall sense around his statements around the goalies was "I'm happy with what we have, improving the D will help what we have......but I'm still looking".

The door is absolutely NOT closed on bringing in another goalie.

If Adams surprises us by acquiring a vet goalie before opening night, I'll happily eat crow. Meanwhile I've heard enough to be confident that will not happen. For all we know, he missed out on the guy(s) he targeted.

I just find this "summer has barely started, calm down" chatter to be wishful thinking.

 

[Gabrielor]

If Adams surprises us by acquiring a vet goalie before opening night, I'll happily eat crow. Meanwhile I've heard enough to be confident that will not happen. For all we know, he missed out on the guy(s) he targeted.

I just find this "summer has barely started, calm down" chatter to be wishful thinking.

Karlsson.
Hellebuyck.
Debrincat.
Gibson.
Hart.
Pesce.
Scheifele.

None of the big guns have moved. I'll worry when that list dries, or when we're in training camp.

Until then...

 

[Jim Bob]

Karlsson.
Hellebuyck.
Debrincat.
Gibson.
Hart.
Pesce.
Scheifele.

None of the big guns have moved. I'll worry when that list dries, or when we're in training camp.

Until then...

I doubt Adams pays the trade freight for a veteran goalie going off of the comments from yesterday and the rumored Hanifin offer.

 

[Fjordy]

I doubt Adams pays the trade freight for a veteran goalie going off of the comments from yesterday and the rumored Hanifin offer.

He added Johnson to be a mentor to the young defense. It seems to make sense to do the same for our young goalie. He paid 2nd+ for Greenway though not to say he was anything special in Minnesota.

For example, how much will goalies like Gibson and Markstrom with their contracts cost in general. I'm not sure the same cost as Hellebuyck and Saros.

 

[Jim Bob]

He added Johnson to be a mentor to the young defense. It seems to make sense to do the same for our young goalie. He paid 2nd+ for Greenway though not to say he was anything special in Minnesota.

For example, how much will goalies like Gibson and Markstrom with their contracts cost in general. I'm not sure the same cost as Hellebuyck and Saros.

I do not believe Adams has any interest in adding either of them given how bad their contracts are.

They had Anderson around the last two years and might view Comrie as a vet given how many years he has been a pro.

 

[Fjordy]

I do not believe Adams has any interest in adding either of them given how bad their contracts are.

They had Anderson around the last two years and might view Comrie as a vet given how many years he has been a pro.

Comrie veteran? He has played 47 games in the NHL and has a worse save percentage than Tokarski. This is nonsense.

 

[Jim Bob]

Comrie veteran? He has played 47 games in the NHL and has a worse save percentage than Tokarski. This is nonsense.

This will be his 9th pro season. He is a veteran even if he does not have a ton of NHL games played.

 

[Gabrielor]

I do not believe Adams has any interest in adding either of them given how bad their contracts are.

They had Anderson around the last two years and might view Comrie as a vet given how many years he has been a pro.

I do not believe your assessment of not believing Adams.

I think they'll add a goalie via trade.

 

[Jim Bob]

I do not believe your assessment of not believing Adams.

I think they'll add a goalie via trade.

If he adds a goalie via trade, I doubt it will be a $6M+ AAV guy with 3+ years remaining on his deal.

But, I believe Adams when he talks about liking the guys he has. Bills fans spent a lot of time this off season not believing that Beane trusted Gabe Davis and Spencer Brown. But, Beane did not make a move to upgrade on either guy.

We see the goalie situation one way. But, I am not convinced that Adams feels the need to add a huge money goalie via trade.

 

[Gabrielor]

If he adds a goalie via trade, I doubt it will be a $6M+ AAV guy with 3+ years remaining on his deal.

But, I believe Adams when he talks about liking the guys he has. Bills fans spent a lot of time this off season not believing that Beane trusted Gabe Davis and Spencer Brown. But, Beane did not make a move to upgrade on either guy.

We see the goalie situation one way. But, I am not convinced that Adams feels the need to add a huge money goalie via trade.

He also said he believed in the defense, and then added 2 within 30 minutes of free agency.

No GM is going to say 'the guys are right, we need to more upl/comrie and get some experience'


Your Davis/Brown bit in particular is good, because people have said the same thing about Joker. Who just had Clifton put in front of him.

 

[Dubi Doo]

What is he going to say ?
"Our goalies suck "

He was 'happy with his defense' a week ago ....

I'll believe he is done 'looking' in September

Yeah. Im actually a bit more optimistic he's going to sign/trade for another forward and maybe even a 1b goalie.

 

[Jim Bob]

He also said he believed in the defense, and then added 2 within 30 minutes of free agency.

No GM is going to say 'the guys are right, we need to more upl/comrie and get some experience'


Your Davis/Brown bit in particular is good, because people have said the same thing about Joker. Who just had Clifton put in front of him.

He never talked about the D like he has talked about the goalies. He has repeatedly talked up the three guys they have. And he has thus far been unwilling to give up anything meaningful in a trade. The rumored VO+86 for Hanifin offer tells me that he's not going to give up what it takes for Hellebuyck or Hart. And I do not see him wanting anything to do with the contracts that Gibson or Markstrom have.

Maybe he trades for a guy like Vladar. But, that's not a move that gives me any more confidence than what they already have in goal.

 

[Gabrielor]

He never talked about the D like he has talked about the goalies. He has repeatedly talked up the three guys they have. And he has thus far been unwilling to give up anything meaningful in a trade. The rumored VO+86 for Hanifin offer tells me that he's not going to give up what it takes for Hellebuyck or Hart. And I do not see him wanting anything to do with the contracts that Gibson or Markstrom have.

Maybe he trades for a guy like Vladar. But, that's not a move that gives me any more confidence than what they already have in goal.

Has he? He's talked up Levi (for very good reason), his talk on UPL has been largely that one trying to keep a guy's confidence up. Comrie? I don't recall much.

I think the goalie move he makes before camp is going to surprise people, including myself.

 

[Fjordy]

This will be his 9th pro season. He is a veteran even if he does not have a ton of NHL games played.

I think Adams has a different concept of the word veteran. Johnson is a veteran with a huge number games of NHL and cup. Anderson is a veteran who played in the NHL for many years. Comrie is just an AHL goalie like Tokarski or Subban.

Has he? He's talked up Levi (for very good reason), his talk on UPL has been largely that one trying to keep a guy's confidence up. Comrie? I don't recall much.

I think the goalie move he makes before camp is going to surprise people, including myself.

He didn't talk about Comrie at all yesterday, only about Levi and UPL. It's like Comrie doesn't exist anymore, he looked weird when he was talking about goalies, like there's some smoke and a potential deal.

 

[Jim Bob]

Has he? He's talked up Levi (for very good reason), his talk on UPL has been largely that one trying to keep a guy's confidence up. Comrie? I don't recall much.

I think the goalie move he makes before camp is going to surprise people, including myself.

After the season:

Despite using Devon Levi late, Sabres high on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

BUFFALO – In his first days in the NHL, Sabres goalie Devon Levi looked so impressive that coach Don Granato kept riding the neophyte. Levi, 21, turned heads in his debut March 31, so after starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the next night, Granato utilized the newcomer for five consecutive do-or-die...

www.buffalohockeybeat.com

“Big picture from the goaltending, I’d say really excited about where we’re at,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said.

“I talked to you guys over and over about we believe in UPL and he’s young, he’s learning, he’s growing,” Adams said.

“In terms of confidence and belief, really good with UPL,” Adams said. “And then I think what Devon (did), if you go back to my previous press conferences over the last couple years, you could tell my excitement and just how I felt about him as a player, as a person, and bringing him in and having him do what he did, it was pretty special at the end.”

10 days ago:

Contracts for Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power in works; Kevyn Adams confident in goalies - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, both of whom have one year remaining on their current deals, can’t sign new contracts until July 1.

www.buffalohockeybeat.com

Adams said he’d be confident going into the season with the three goalies.

“I personally believe we’re in a position of strength,” Adams said. “When it comes to this, we feel that we have three NHL goaltenders, which is a great thing to have. … Whether we go into the season with three – it’s not an ideal situation – but we’re open minded to it. We’ll let it play itself out.”

Adams plans to explore other options for Buffalo’s net.

“I’m not doing my job if I’m not in on every conversation around the league and knowing what’s out there and what makes sense,” he said. “… If if there’s something we think will help us now and set us up for sustainable success, then we’ll look at it. But I’m excited about the goaltending position, to be honest with you, going into the season.”

Then a few days ago:

Sabres free-agency takeaways: Why didn't Buffalo add a goalie?

The Sabres were never going to go swimming in the free-agent goalie pool. They did pursue a forward, though.

theathletic.com

“I really think we’re in a position of strength there, and I like what we have,” Adams said Sunday afternoon, just over 24 hours after NHL free agency opened.

Those words explained the Sabres’ lack of action in the goalie market the day before. Tristan Jarry signed a five-year contract worth $5.375 million per season to stay in Pittsburgh. Joonas Korpisalo got $4 million per year over five years to sign in Ottawa. Semyon Varlamov stayed with the Islanders, while the Hurricanes retained both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. Quickly, the options for the Sabres dried up. But the Sabres were never going to go swimming in the free-agent goalie pool.

“The goalie market is very tricky,” Adams said. “It’s not easy to predict. If there are teams that are looking to make trades, how many teams can actually do it and what’s the price you’re going to pay? All of that stuff is part of it. That’s why when you can have the strategy of building around the goaltenders you have, whether it’s drafting them or making a trade, I think that’s the best way to do it.”

The trade market is a viable alternative for the Sabres and other goalie-needy teams, but that’s been slow, as well. Connor Hellebuyck’s name has been out there, but how much would he cost to acquire and what would it take to extend him? The cost of acquisition is a question for Flyers goalie Carter Hart, too.

Thus, Adams is making a bet on a combination of Levi, Luukkonen and Comrie being the right mix for the Sabres as they head into 2022-23. That trio has combined for 100 NHL games, so it’s a plan that comes with some risk.

“You can go sign a veteran goalie that’s played a lot of games, but if you don’t think he’s better than the ones you have, why would you do that? So you can walk in here and say we got someone who played a lot of games?” Adams said. “We have confidence in the guys we have.”

Maybe if he says that goalie is a position of strength for them long enough people will accept that is how he sees things.