Ryan Miller and Jhonas Enroth will be the two goaltenders in Buffalo this season. Its likely that Miller will start the season with the Sabres, and Enroth will be his back-up. If/when Miller is dealt away (likely at the trade deadline in February), Enroth will become the starter. His back-up will be (insert young goalie name here).
The Rochester Americans need a starting goaltender now that David Leggio has signed with the Hershey Bears.
Matt Hackett is up for the challenge.
Hackett signed a one year contract earlier this week which will set him up nicely for the future.
The Sabres have a fluid pipeline full of talented, young puck stoppers who are champing at the bit to show what they've got at training camp.
Hackett, Nathan Lieuwen, Connor Knapp and Andrey Makarov will be battling for the starting and back-up jobs in Rochester. What a battle it will be in Amerks camp. Lieuwen, Knapp, and Makarov were all impressive in the Blue and Gold scrimmage at the recent Sabres prospects camp. Hackett was not required to participate in the camp.
On Thursday morning, Hackett told
Sabres Hockey Hotline that he is looking to make a name for himself during training camp in September. Hackett wants to show Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston that he belongs in the NHL.
“My goal is to come into camp and prove that I can play at the NHL level and give them a tough choice to make,” he said.
I like this kid's moxy! I like his puck stopping abilities even more.
The sky is the limit for Hackett right now. In the event Miller stays in Buffalo until the trade deadline, Hackett can be the #1 tender in Rochester. If/when Miller leaves and Enroth assumes the starting role in the Buffalo net, Hackett will more than ably fill the Buffalo back-up gig. Either way, Hackett is going to play a key role.
The Sabres acquired Hackett when they sent Jason Pominville and a 2014 4th round pick to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline. As added value, the Sabres also took possession of center Johan Larsson, a 2013 first-round pick, which the Sabres used to draft D monster Nikita Zadorov, and, a 2014 second-round pick in the deal. Darcy Regier clearly absconded with Wild GM Chuck Fletcher's Rolex watch in the deal.
Hackett said that the trade to Buffalo came as a surprise. A pleasant surprise.
" I didn’t see myself getting traded but once I did, it’s a fresh start to prove myself. It’s nice to be wanted around the League,” he said.
“I’m excited to prove them that they made the right choice by trading for me. I’ll come to camp ready to go.”
Sabres and Amerks fans are excited to see the Matt Hackett experience.
