The post Ryan Miller Era in Buffalo has been highlighted by the goaltender carousel that continues to spin. Quick. Name all the goalies who played the net in Buffalo in 2013-14.
Ryan Miller Jhonas Enroth Jaro Halak Matt Hackett Connor Knapp Nathan Lieuwen Andrey Makarov Michal Neuvirth Ryan Vinz
Enroth, Neuvirth, and Hackett are all recovering from injuries that they incurred. I like Enroth and Hackett to play in Buffalo this upcoming season. Hackett played exceptionally well in his time in Buffalo before his ugly injury occurred. I'd give him a curtain call. Neuvirth? Lets wait and see what tomorrow brings.
Makarov, Lieuwen and Knapp earned high praise for their impressive, consistent play under at-times adverse conditions this past seasons.
Back to buffalo surgery tomorrow
— Matt Hackett (@MattHackett31) May 27, 2014
There aren't enough nets in Buffalo and in Rochester to properly house all of the excellent, young goalies. Talk about a goalie competition. The Sabres and Amerks will be demanding greatness from its goalies in 2014-15. Should make for a tremendous battles at prospects camp and training camps. The best goalies will play. The others won't. All the more trade bait for Murray to carry in his brief case to the NHL Entry Draft in late June.
For the second day in a row, Sabres GM Tim Murray has inked a young difference maker. On this day, its goaltender Linus Ullmark who has signed his three-year, entry-level deal. On Monday, Murray signed power forward Nic Deslauriers to a two year, one way contract.
Questions have been abound for the past two seasons regarding Ullmark's future plans to play in North America. The 20 year old ( 6'3 220 lb.) goaler was selected 163rd overall (6th round) by Darcy Regier in the Mikhal Grigorenko-Zemgus Girgensons 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Ullmark is big, strong and has quick reflexes.
Ullmark has been a standout player for MODO hockey club at both the junior and elite levels in his native Sweden.
During the recently completed 2013-14 season, Ullmark played 35 games for MODO against the best pro players in the Swedish Hockey League. His 2.08 GAA and .931 save % jump right off the stat sheet. Ullmark was awarded the Honken Trophy as the Swedish Goaltender of the Year.