They were .896 last year. .890 includes empty nets.

Need Levi (or UPL/Comrie) to be close to Anderson's .908. Have to assume it's going to take more than 91 points this year.
- Lunaion

Without the Boston juggernaut inhaling points on an unprecedented scale, safe guess would be high 90's to make the playoffs.

They were .896 last year. .890 includes empty nets.

Need Levi (or UPL/Comrie) to be close to Anderson's .908. Have to assume it's going to take more than 91 points this year.
- Lunaion

thats wild that it includes empty netters


I still think it wouldnt require levi to be better than league average which will hover around 904 id guess.


I don't know how many more points it might take. On one hand boston isnt a super reg season team anymore. On the other hand, at a cursory glance, there are far fewer tank teams than there were when Washington got in with 100.

Montreal and philly are probably the only "free points" teams in the east

thats wild that it includes empty netters


I still think it wouldnt require levi to be better than league average which will hover around 904 id guess.


I don't know how many more points it might take. On one hand boston isnt a super reg season team anymore. On the other hand, at a cursory glance, there are far fewer tank teams than there were when Washington got in with 100.

Montreal and philly are probably the only "free points" teams in the east
- Michael Ghofrani

I know it's hard to fathom, but it doesn't have to be Levi. Many ways things could play out and improve.

They used 6 goalies and had an .899 the pervious year. 6 and .902 before that, finishing last. Odds are, someone throws us a curveball again this year.

I know it's hard to fathom, but it doesn't have to be Levi. Many ways things could play out and improve.

They used 6 goalies and had an .899 the pervious year. 6 and .902 before that, finishing last. Odds are, someone throws us a curveball again this year.
- Lunaion

Yeah its a wild position, i just don't think they need any one goalie to be their savior. More that they don't need one or more of them to sink them when it counts.

Well luukkonen gave them 33 games at 892. and Comrie 19 at 886. I have to believe comrie's will be better this year but assuming its not, thats a combined 889 over 52 games.

If they maintain those percentages at 41 games and levi gives you 41 at 903 that gives the team an 896.

Obviously just back of envelope stuff but shows that even in the not best case scenario Levi doesn't need to go savior mode, just hover around slightly below league average.

That is admittedly without factoring what happens offensively/defensively.
- Michael Ghofrani

Hopefully levi is good enough and can handle the load of 50+

At this point I dont want to see upl comrie or any combo of them getting 41 games.

If the offense regresses at all levi will need to be great

Hopefully levi is good enough and can handle the load of 50+

At this point I dont want to see upl comrie or any combo of them getting 41 games.

If the offense regresses at all levi will need to be great
- ieetbred

I hope he doesn't have to and 2 of them step up as 1A/B. Doesn't matter who. Just have to resolve this 3G problem quickly.

Yeah its a wild position, i just don't think they need any one goalie to be their savior. More that they don't need one or more of them to sink them when it counts.
- Michael Ghofrani

This is a good point, it just sucks that both upl and comrie sunk us at times last year

Hard to believe it will be any different if they don't tighten up defensively

I hope he doesn't have to and 2 of them step up as 1A/B. Doesn't matter who. Just have to resolve this 3G problem quickly.
- Lunaion

Yea if you have 3 its because you don't have 2 or whatever the saying is

Yea if you have 3 its because you don't have 2 or whatever the saying is
- ieetbred

If you have 3, you have none.

Watching them try to manage 3 last year, it feels right.

If you have 3, you have none.

Watching them try to manage 3 last year, it feels right.
- Lunaion

aren't more teams leaning to 3 goalies? i dont know if thats actually true just something that i constantly hear national guys say lol

aren't more teams leaning to 3 goalies? i dont know if thats actually true just something that i constantly hear national guys say lol
- Michael Ghofrani

I heard someone say it, but I have no idea who has actually done it or why. I'm skeptical.

If you have 3, you have none.

Watching them try to manage 3 last year, it feels right.
- Lunaion

Yea last year it felt like they had none when they needed to lean on Anderson and it went south

I do think they have one in levi though. Still not ideal to be carrying 3. Its not traditional and it hurts their ability to carry that extra forward or dman.

Especially with Benson making it impossible to send him back so far

I heard someone say it, but I have no idea who has actually done it or why. I'm skeptical.
- Lunaion

I think it makes some sense cause starters now a days cant really handle the workload unless theyre one of 3 or 4 goalies.

And at any rate maybe even if they can you don't want them starting more than 40-45 unless they absolutely have to. But there are no consistent backups, so instead of giving 1 wildcard 30 games, you split 15 with two. See if they can both handle that better.

2 number 1 picks overall

first round picks in joker, johnson

samuelsson picked 32nd overall



maybe they should have brought in some new assistant coaches
- homiedclown

Technically 3 - 1st overall picks on D with Erik Johnson on the team.

I think it makes some sense cause starters now a days cant really handle the workload unless theyre one of 3 or 4 goalies.

And at any rate maybe even if they can you don't want them starting more than 40-45 unless they absolutely have to. But there are no consistent backups, so instead of giving 1 wildcard 30 games, you split 15 with two. See if they can both handle that better.
- Michael Ghofrani

It's awfully hard to stay sharp playing twice a month. I don't see how it works over a full season.

It's awfully hard to stay sharp playing twice a month. I don't see how it works over a full season.
- Lunaion

Yeah thats not great either, plus 3 goalies sharing the crease in practice isnt ideal. Although I guess if the 3rd guy is "Vanacek-ing" it (playing the 2020 sabres exclusively) its not so bad?

Chef Ooopie has been exposed…

Yeah thats not great either, plus 3 goalies sharing the crease in practice isnt ideal. Although I guess if the 3rd guy is "Vanacek-ing" it (playing the 2020 sabres exclusively) it’s not so bad?
- Michael Ghofrani

The message has been consistent:

This month from the GM:

“Personally, (I) 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.”

3 months ago:

“Absolutely, I personally believe we’re in a position of strength when it comes to this.
“We feel that we have three NHL goaltenders, which is a great thing to have, so we’re open-minded whether we go into the season with three. It’s not an ideal situation, but we’ll let it play itself out.” – via WGRZ

If you ever see an O/U starting at 5.5 or lower for a Sabres game, that’s free money.

The message has been consistent:

This month from the GM:

“Personally, (I) 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.”

3 months ago:

“Absolutely, I personally believe we’re in a position of strength when it comes to this.
“We feel that we have three NHL goaltenders, which is a great thing to have, so we’re open-minded whether we go into the season with three. It’s not an ideal situation, but we’ll let it play itself out.” – via WGRZ
- washedup20

“A position of strength”

And

“Not ideal”

This guy is such a herb

Same. He was fine. Not a difference maker but not his fault
- Hank Balling

Sadly, yeah, 3.99xGA, let in 4. Wish he could've gotten one but it is what it is.

It's awfully hard to stay sharp playing twice a month. I don't see how it works over a full season.
- Lunaion

It doesn't unfortunately. Keep Comrie and you get worse results from both most likely.

It doesn't unfortunately. Keep Comrie and you get worse results from both most likely.
- QuinnFan

Good example of having too many players fighting for one position.....

Fwiw Adams does indeed make the final decisions on the 23:

"Granato reiterated to reporters following the morning skate Wednesday that he remains confident in each of the three goalies and that he would be comfortable if Adams chose to have them occupy three of his 23 roster spots."