Michael Ghofrani: Should The Buffalo Sabres Replace Their Goaltending Tandem?

CeeLo, I need you to go watch the front door

Sure...but what about the 15 players in front of them that suck?

Michael Ghofrani: Should The Buffalo Sabres Replace Their Goaltending Tandem?
- Michael Ghofrani

I think Ullmark is fine for a 1B or backup

no matter what the numbers say, the d was still very bad more often then not, as a group


I'd bury Hutton in rochester if they can't move him

Personally I like Ullmark, just coming into his own. If he were exposed he would be snapped up and likely a huge regret for the Sabres. Hutton should move into the color commentator position and forget about playing goal. Sure would be funny to see Lehner return, lol, it ain't happening.

Sure...but what about the 15 players in front of them that suck?
- bruceflyers

Exactly, Ullmark was doing fine consideringa very young D in front of him. Not too many 200" forwards come to mind either.

This is key, IMO. Controlled exposure to build immunity throught the population, within the healthcare system capabilities.
I meant to mention herd immunity, but forgot.
- IonSabres

The above has been happening for weeks already...?

The above has been happening for weeks already...?
- kingcong39

The idea is the faster we get to herd immunity the better. Given the hospitalization rate nowhere near what was forecasted, we are probably moving way too slow and drawing out economic disaster.

I think Ullmark is fine for a 1B or backup

no matter what the numbers say, the d was still very bad more often then not, as a group


I'd bury Hutton in rochester if they can't move him
- navinrjohnson

If the injury issue with Hutton was true and he is fully recovered then I'm fine with him for 1 more year. His numbers were great to start the year, took a real downward turn for 2-2 1/2 months and then he started to turn it around again. I think that they played him too much to start the season (started 8 of the first 12 games) and is better suited to play behind Ullmark.

It seems like one of the favorite guys in the locker room, and he's not on a bad contract.

I'm sure they are calculating all their moves with the expansion draft coming up, and now with a likely flat cap for this season as well, so a lot of factors in play.

And there will be more sequels than Police Academy, if you’re producing them
- sbroads24

Heyooo

I’m not impressed by Ullmark - it feels like his rebound control is terrible, he goes down too early and often, and he overcommits to the edges too early. He’s 2006 Ray Emery without the ability to fight.

Instead of comparing Hutton to the rest of the league this year, I would be interested to see how he compares to his own performance on the Sabres since he joined. I think there might be something to thecrumors that he was injured - which is not to say I feel like he is an ANSWER.

Bottom line, we need better than we got this year, and I don’t have the confidence that either of these guys have the game to get there.

Ullmark looked great in the games which I got to see him play. Especially vs FL, looked like he was channeling his inner Hasek.

Ullmark would make a fine 1B.

That’s all I got.

We were one of the best defensive team in the NHL this year and if we got the saves we may have even pushed for a spot this year even with the obvious lack of 2C

I’m not impressed by Ullmark - it feels like his rebound control is terrible, he goes down too early and often, and he overcommits to the edges too early. He’s 2006 Ray Emery without the ability to fight.

Instead of comparing Hutton to the rest of the league this year, I would be interested to see how he compares to his own performance on the Sabres since he joined. I think there might be something to thecrumors that he was injured - which is not to say I feel like he is an ANSWER.

Bottom line, we need better than we got this year, and I don’t have the confidence that either of these guys have the game to get there.
- Der Kaiser

I don't know much about his lingering injury and how long he's had it. The Sabres aren't exactly forthcoming with this sort of thing either. Everything gets filed as day to day upper body until 6 weeks pass and suddenly he's had the injury forever.

Fwiw, Hutton's numbers were relatively worse last year. The Sabres played better D in front of him at even strength and he was still bottom 10 in goals saved above average

I said it before and I’ll say it again. I would be more worried about Ullmark as a starter next year then Hutton as the backup. The truth is there are teams that would be happy to take Huttons final year of his contract to be their backup and if he is traded away I’m betting he will get the last laugh. As for signing Ullmark as the starter it may not line up with what the future holds for Sabres goaltending based on the years and amount he’s willing to sign for.
With the young goaltending coming up it’s going to be a tough decision but a solid backup and a mentor would make the most sense so Hutton will be there and Ullmark may not.

I don't know much about his lingering injury and how long he's had it. The Sabres aren't exactly forthcoming with this sort of thing either. Everything gets filed as day to day upper body until 6 weeks pass and suddenly he's had the injury forever.

Fwiw, Hutton's numbers were relatively worse last year. The Sabres played better D in front of him at even strength and he was still bottom 10 in goals saved above average
- Michael Ghofrani

Everything I've read said that the team made significant advances in the quality of their defensive play this year, if only because this year focused on what you call "low event" style. I'm interested to see you say the opposite.

Everything I've read said that the team made significant advances in the quality of their defensive play this year, if only because this year focused on what you call "low event" style. I'm interested to see you say the opposite.
- Der Kaiser

They did make significant advances, Ullmark benefited there. He got slightly below average defensive play last year at even strength. This year he got top 10.

Hutton actually did see some good defensive play in front of him most of the year but the last 7 or so games leading up the hiatus the Sabres sort of just...gave up in front of him

They did make significant advances, Ullmark benefited there. He got slightly below average defensive play last year at even strength. This year he got top 10.

Hutton actually did see some good defensive play in front of him most of the year but the last 7 or so games leading up the hiatus the Sabres sort of just...gave up in front of him
- Michael Ghofrani

Well I’m sure they knew they were franked regardless.

I said it before and I’ll say it again. I would be more worried about Ullmark as a starter next year then Hutton as the backup. The truth is there are teams that would be happy to take Huttons final year of his contract to be their backup and if he is traded away I’m betting he will get the last laugh. As for signing Ullmark as the starter it may not line up with what the future holds for Sabres goaltending based on the years and amount he’s willing to sign for.
With the young goaltending coming up it’s going to be a tough decision but a solid backup and a mentor would make the most sense so Hutton will be there and Ullmark may not.
- Camel

What is the bolded based on, out of curiosity? It can't be the numbers or even the eye test. Is it intuition?

They did make significant advances, Ullmark benefited there. He got slightly below average defensive play last year at even strength. This year he got top 10.

Hutton actually did see some good defensive play in front of him most of the year but the last 7 or so games leading up the hiatus the Sabres sort of just...gave up in front of him
- Michael Ghofrani

The Sabres are never in sync.

When Eichel was lighting it up to start the year, Dahlin struggles.

When Dahlin turns it on, Eichel went missing

They did make significant advances, Ullmark benefited there. He got slightly below average defensive play last year at even strength. This year he got top 10.

Hutton actually did see some good defensive play in front of him most of the year but the last 7 or so games leading up the hiatus the Sabres sort of just...gave up in front of him
- Michael Ghofrani

You're confusing me now. In two successive posts you've said the Sabres defense was better last year and then said it was better this year.

Like to see them go after Georgiev.

You're confusing me now. In two successive posts you've said the Sabres defense was better last year and then said it was better this year.
- Der Kaiser

you misunderstood me. The Sabres played better in front of Hutton last year than they played in front of Hutton this year.

But the overall defensive play is better this year, with Ullmark benefiting the most from that

Totally my own opinion as we are talking about a career backup who is well respected around the league and was rumoured to be playing injured for a good number of games during the year. On the other Ullmark may be the number one now but I’m not sure he will be looked upon as the longterm guy. Is Botts willing to take the chance on him being the starter for the next several years or move on. I believe the answer may be in the negotiations on his upcoming contract.

The Sabres are never in sync.

When Eichel was lighting it up to start the year, Dahlin struggles.

When Dahlin turns it on, Eichel went missing
- sbroads24

I know he kinda phoned it in a bit, but that top line was on borrowed time in terms of on ice impact. It was only a matter of time before their poor XG numbers caught up with them.