[The Athletic] Classement des perspectives actuelles et futures des gardiens de but de chaque équipe de la LNH, partie 3 : le top 10
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seeldoger47
@Sabres de Buffalo
[The Athletic] Classement des perspectives actuelles et futures des gardiens de but de chaque équipe de la LNH, partie 3 : le top 10
—
seeldoger47
2 Comments
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1. Nashville Predators
2. Dallas Stars
3. Buffalo Sabres
Current: 11
**Granger:** I absolutely love the current trajectory of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He took major strides in his second full NHL season, stopping 22.46 GSAx (sixth in the league, just behind Swayman) despite playing behind a porous Buffalo defense. Luukkonen’s biggest asset is his mind, reading the ice to stay ahead of plays and make saves look easier than they should. He recently began working with respected Finnish goalie coach Hannu Nykvist (who famously worked with Bobrovsky). At 25, the future is bright for UPL and the Sabres, who also have high-upside prospect Devon Levi.
Future: 2
**Wheeler:** Luukkonen’s no longer a prospect but Levi, Scott Ratzlaff, Ryerson Leenders and Topias Leinonen are, and each has varying degrees of potential. I still believe Levi’s one of the best young goalies in the sport and the heir apparent (over UPL) for the Sabres net long term, and I’ve got a lot of time for both Ratzlaff and Leenders, even if though don’t have the size teams covet. Leinonen does have the size but I worry about his feet/mobility/fitness. Still, in Levi, I think they have a potential 1A and between the other three, you hope that one becomes a backup/No. 3 down the line.
Cap: 10
**McIndoe:** The Luukkonen extension dropped this week, and if Jesse is right about where he ranks, it’s decent value at $4.75 million, although at five years it’s certainly not without some risk. With Levi and veteran James Reimer both on cheap deals, the Sabres’ spending here is reasonable.
**Bottom line:** Did we … did we just dump a bunch of optimism on the Buffalo Sabres? This is so confusing.
4. Montreal Canadiens
5. Calgary Flames
6. Vancouver Canucks
7. Boston Bruins
8. Florida Panthers
9. New York Rangers
10. New Jersey Devils
Having the net all figured out (for the next 5-7 years) would be a key step on the path not just to the playoffs, but to a deep run in the playoffs. I hope UPL can maintain the consistency he found last season, Levi can progress, and one of the other guys can either be good trade bait or an eventual solid backup.
This little writeup makes me happy.