The Buffalo Sabres have added goaltender Colten Ellis to their roster after claiming him off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. This move resulted in Alexandar Georgiev being placed on waivers by the Sabres. The team confirmed Ellis had his first practice with Buffalo on Tuesday, following Monday's waiver claim.
Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that acquiring Ellis was a strategic decision, stating the opportunity was too significant to pass up. This development reshapes the goaltending depth chart for the Sabres as the season progresses.
Key Takeaways
- Colten Ellis joined the Buffalo Sabres after a waiver claim from the St. Louis Blues.
- Alexandar Georgiev has been placed on waivers by Buffalo.
- Head coach Lindy Ruff cited Ellis as a player on their radar, making the acquisition a priority.
- Ellis expressed excitement about his first NHL opportunity after five seasons in the AHL and ECHL.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is recovering from injury, with Alex Lyon expected to share goaltending duties.
Sabres Goaltending Strategy Shifts
The decision to claim Colten Ellis reflects a strategic adjustment in the Buffalo Sabres' goaltending plans. Coach Lindy Ruff emphasized that Ellis had been a player of interest for the organization. "We couldn’t pass up on this opportunity," Ruff stated, explaining the move. He also acknowledged Georgiev's efforts during his time with the team. Ruff clarified that Georgiev's waivers are not unconditional, meaning there is potential for him to remain with the organization in another capacity if he clears.
Ellis, who spent five seasons within the St. Louis Blues system, primarily in the ECHL and AHL, had not yet made his NHL debut. The waiver claim marks a significant step in his career, offering him his first chance at the NHL level. He shared his excitement about joining the Sabres. "It was my first time going on waivers so I didn’t really know what the process is like, so when I got the call yesterday I was super excited for the opportunity here," Ellis said.
Goaltender Waiver Process
When a team places a player on waivers, other NHL teams have 24 hours to claim that player. If multiple teams claim the player, the team with the worst record gets priority. If no team claims the player, they can be assigned to the minor league affiliate or remain with the NHL team, depending on the type of waivers. This process allows teams to adjust their rosters while giving other organizations a chance to acquire talent.
Ellis's Path to Buffalo
Colten Ellis has a professional hockey background primarily in the minor leagues. Last season, he played for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues. He described his performance there as solid. "It was good, it’s all you look for every year to improve on the things that you work on all summer," Ellis explained. He also mentioned working with two goalie coaches to improve his skills, indicating a strong commitment to development.
The journey to Buffalo was swift for Ellis. By the time the waiver process concluded and the NHL officially awarded him to the Sabres, he had already traveled from St. Louis to Springfield. Upon learning of the claim, he immediately drove 5.5 hours to Buffalo. This quick turnaround highlights his readiness and eagerness for the new challenge.
"I’ve been around him, he’s a good person. He’s worked hard and has done everything that was asked, I just felt that we couldn’t pass up on this opportunity." — Lindy Ruff, Sabres Head Coach
Ellis's Minor League Stats
- Seasons in Blues Organization: 5
- Leagues Played: ECHL, AHL
- Last Season Team: Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Injury Updates and Defensive Pairings
Beyond the goaltending change, Coach Ruff provided updates on other player statuses. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, another Sabres goaltender, is making progress in his recovery. "'UPL' is feeling better, which is good, he’s progressing," Ruff noted. The team feels confident in Alex Lyon to handle goaltending responsibilities during Luukkonen's absence. Lyon is seen as capable of playing and contributing to wins.
Defenseman Owen Power participated in a no-contact practice and is considered a possible option for Thursday's game against the Rangers. This update suggests Power's return to play could be imminent, which would strengthen the Sabres' defensive unit.
Addressing Injury Concerns
Ruff also addressed criticisms regarding the team's early-season injuries, specifically concerns about the new strength and conditioning coaches. He defended the staff and the team's training approach. Ruff cited specific injury examples to illustrate his point. He mentioned Rasmus Samuelsson's injury, attributing it to a play in a game rather than conditioning. "He got slewfooted by Wood at the end of the game and he didn’t feel great, but he wanted to practice the next day and that practice locked him up," Ruff explained.
He further argued that some injuries, like hip and groin issues, are common at this time of year across the league. He highlighted that injuries to players like Luukkonen and Zemgus Girgensons were not related to strength and conditioning. "I might argue that we’ve got some guys that are in a better place because of it. The practices were hard, they were demanding and if I would point at anything, I would criticize myself before I even went to strength and conditioning," Ruff stated, taking responsibility for the intensity of practices.
Sabres Defensive Pairings (Tuesday Practice)
- Rasmus Byram - Rasmus Dahlin
- Mattias Samuelsson - Riley Timmins
- Erik Johnson - (Owen Power and Jacob Bryson)
Looking Ahead to the Rangers Game
The Sabres are preparing for their upcoming game against the Rangers on Thursday. While the forward lines remained consistent during Tuesday's practice, the defensive pairings saw changes. The inclusion of Owen Power as a potential option for the game provides a boost to the team's blue line. The new goaltending situation with Ellis backing up Lyon will also be a point of interest for fans and analysts.
St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong expressed surprise at Buffalo's decision to claim a goalie without NHL experience. However, the Sabres organization appears to see significant potential in Ellis, aligning with their long-term strategic goals for the team's goaltending future.