NHL Rumors: Decisions Looming On Starting Goalies
By Adam Savard
Buffalo Sabres
Apr 11, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Anders Lindback (35) looks to make a glove save during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
This is the no-brainer team on the list because Chad Johnson is the only goalie under contract for the Sabres with one year left. The same Chad Johnson that was acquired from the New York Islanders and got hurt before playing in any games.
On top of that there’s the coach search, the unpredictable and sick of tanking GM Tim Murray, and the likely second pick in the draft, Jack Eichel, whom probably won’t be traded away. If ever a team was ready for the NHL rumors mill, it’s the Buffalo Sabres.
Trading for a goalie with term left on his contract makes the least sense for the Sabres. Expect the NHL rumors to surround unrestricted free agents but also restricted ones. I can see Murray making an offer to an RFA, though not in the goalie market. This isn’t a team ready to hand out a massive deal to a goaltender despite the cap space to do so.
The forwards are still taking shape and Murray knows this team has a history of building from the crease out with Dominik Hasek, Martin Biron, and Ryan Miller in recent history. Unfortunately for Sabres fans those goalies have combined for zero Stanley Cups for the Sabres, so Murray seems more likely to load up his forwards. See the Evander Kane trade.
Antti Niemi would be interesting here because he would be a veteran presence on a very young team overall, and his Stanley Cup ring would command respect in the room. At 31 years old there is still tread on the tires and I don’t believe he will command the same deal Braden Holtby can expect.
It won’t be the most exciting signing for the Sabres, but I expect the NHL rumors to heat up about Anders Lindback resigning with the team. Lindback played very well during his time in Buffalo and is known to handle the puck very well.
That combination would take the pressure from young but talented defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov. I’m looking for Lindback to get a two-year deal from the Sabres with a raise over his $925,000 salary. I’m thinking two-years at $2.5 to $3 million total. The Sabres won’t make as much noise with their goalie as they do with other potential moves at the draft.
The Buffalo Sabres will continue to be the focus of many NHL rumors but they will not involve the goaltender once Lindback resigns.
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