Sabres GM drops truth bomb on team’s goaltending amid Connor Hellebuyck rumors appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Buffalo Sabres are 4-3-2 on the year, and have struggled in goal so far this year. Buffalo is 26th in the NHL in goals-against average while sitting 30th in save percentage. Even before the season, there have been rumors of the Sabres trading for Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.
Now, the Sabres general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, is pushing the door closed on those rumors, while praising his current netminders, per Marcus Antonelli of Pro Hockey Rumors.
“We believe in our goaltending. They had really good numbers last year and they were good for us; all three of them. Alex Lyon‘s been hurt and is close to coming back and we’ll see where he’s at when he does. Colten Ellis played some excellent games for us last year. He hasn’t been quite as good as he was last year, but we believe he’ll get there again. He’ll be a big part of our team, but (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen) is a really good goaltender that has a lot to give to the Buffalo Sabres and, he’ll be a big part of our future,” Kekalainen said, appearing on WGR 550 earlier this week.
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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 3-2-2 this year with a 3.59 goals against average and an .860 save percentage. Meanwhile, Colten Ellis is 1-1-0 with a 3.19 goals against average and an .864 save percentage.
Meanwhile, Connor Hellebuyck has been suspended from the Jets after not reporting to camp and requesting a trade. That suspension is expected to end this week, but there is no current expectation of when he will return to the ice. Multiple teams have been connected to Hellebuyck, which would likely drive up the price. That could keep the Sabres out of the market for the netminder and sticking with their current internal options.