What the heck are we going to do for goalie next year?

[Heretic]

Michal Neuvirth has so much potential, but seems to get hurt, so he may never reach it. Ullmark is doing pretty great in Sweden, but needs seasoning in the AHL and may take 2-3 years before he's up with the big club IF he reaches his potential.

I know we have to have the goalie situation we do now to ensure the tank goes properly, but what about next year? There's no heir apparent ready to go. I know a few people have mentioned Niemi, do we go with the veteran, or try to pluck a youngster in a diluted goalie market, like Bernier or even younger in Subban? Or do we stay the course and draft Mackenzie Blackwood so that Ullmark and Blackwood are our future while we spot check until the boys are ready to contend?

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[Timbo Slice]

Next year's goalie isn't in the system or on the roster.

 

[couture23]

Next year's goalie isn't in the system or on the roster.

Bold...

But I'll say Neuvirth gets re-upped if Tim can't work out a trade, I just don't see a fit for him anywhere. I think he would be fine for one more year.

 

[HiddenInLight]

The sabres will probably chase after Enroth or Niemi, unless they can make a trade for a young guy stuck behind a talented veteran.

 

[kenfury]

Apparently Niemi is not going to get re-upped plus Bryz is slated to be a UFA. I'm not too worried about it as it seems every season there is a goalie left standing after musical chairs.

 

[Myllz]

I'd take Niemi for a couple years as a bridge.

 

[mgeise]

I think what will ultimately happen is Murray will target a guy like Martin Jones in the offseason and then bring in one of the 1B/high end 2 types on the FA market. Enroth, Neuvirth, Fasth, Greiss, and Ramo are some potential targets I remember off the top of my head. If Niemi could be signed to a Hiller- or Miller-type of contract, I definitely wouldn't be mad about that. I think some team will be willing to give him more years than I'd want to commit, though. He's the only proven #1 on the market this year, which is different from last offseason.

 

[MayDayMayDay]

This is easy for me. Niemi @ 4 x 4.5.

 

[Jeremy2020]

finding a serviceable goalie isn't difficult

 

[Duddy]

We'll get a goalie from somewhere.

 

[Kublakhan]

This is easy for me. Niemi @ 4 x 4.5.

yes

 

[SundherDome]

I'd take a one year flyer on Harding, providing his health is manageable. If not bring back Jhonas 4 year 3.25

 

[Jame]

Ben Bishop

 

[couture23]

Ben Bishop

What would you give up for him? He would be turning 29 in November and entering his UFA year.

Also on that note, I wish we could go back to 2012 and take Girgensons/Vasilevskiy and not Grigs/Girgs.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Ben Bishop

I like your thinking.

What would be the cost?

 

[couture23]

I like your thinking.

What would be the cost?

I honestly have no idea what Tampa's needs are. Defence depth?

 

[Moskau]

I'd rather trade for someone like Jones but Bishop is fine for now.

 

[wunderpanda]

Markstrom, Jones, Niemi, Pavelec, Reimer, Ramo, Dubnyk, Bishop? Crawford? Might be better to target Burke or Ranford as a goalie coach, build and refurbish goalies on our own that way.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Markstrom, Jones, Niemi, Pavelec, Reimer, Ramo, Dubnyk, Bishop? Crawford? Might be better to target Burke or Ranford as a goalie coach, build and refurbish goalies on our own that way.

Fucale, Subban, Lack, Gibson, Grubauer, Lehner, Takarski...there are names. Who knows. I would prefer it to not be Enroth though.

 

[Bps21*]

When I see the question "what are we going to do at goalie" my first thought genuinely is "try not to allow the most shots against in the league". Until we start doing that...it doesn't matter who is back there.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Neuvirth/Hackett.

Auston Matthews, welcome to Buffalo!

 

[HiddenInLight]

I really hope Tim Murray has some scouts at the bruins game tonight to watch Malcom Subban play. I'd love for him to trade for Subban. Liked him ever since he was drafted.

 

[Jame]

What would you give up for him? He would be turning 29 in November and entering his UFA year.

Also on that note, I wish we could go back to 2012 and take Girgensons/Vasilevskiy and not Grigs/Girgs.

I don't really want to trade for a goalie. I just think Vasilevski takes that job soon.

 

[couture23]

I don't really want to trade for a goalie. I just think Vasilevski takes that job soon.

No doubt, Vasya is going to be an incredible NHL goalie.

 

[DazedandConfused]

If Neuvirth plays respectable down the stretch, it's pretty likely he'll be at least one of our two NHL level goalies next year.