Buffalo Sabres: 4 takeaways from Jason Botterill’s press conference
By Paul Taylor
2) Linus Ullmark only goaltender certain to return
It was a tough season for the Sabres’ netminders, as the team finished third-worst in the league for both goals conceded and save percentage. Only the Ottawa Senators ranked lower in both categories (second-worst in each).
This has led to fans wanting significant changes between the pipes. However, at least one of this season’s goalies is guaranteed to survive.
Botterill confirmed that Linus Ullmark will be one of the Sabres’ two goaltenders next season. He led the team in GAA and save percentage, albeit in just five appearances.
Regardless, Ullmark deserves the chance to show what he can do moving forward, with more playing time. He is talented and has some upside.
Chad Johnson is almost certainly gone, and not just because he ranked worst among the team’s goalies for both GAA and save percentage. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, is 31 and admitted he wouldn’t have returned to Buffalo if he’d known how bad it was going to be.
This leaves Robin Lehner, who has now had two seasons to prove he can be the number one goaltender on a team. Despite showing flashes of potential, he’s not proved consistent enough.
Yes, some of this is down to the talent, or lack thereof, in front of Lehner. However, the Buffalo Sabres have to determine if they feel comfortable with making a qualifying offer to him to return, especially if he won’t be the main starter.
From our perspective, we would be prepared to give one more chance and give that qualifying offer, even though we would make Ullmark the number one goalie. If nothing else, Lehner would be one of the best backups in the league.