Sabres & Blue Jackets Rumored To Be Discussing Goalie Trade

The Buffalo Sabres have had an unexpected season overall from the underperforming forwards to the inconsistent goaltending. This has caused the team to be further down the standings than they would have liked, but they aren't giving up and have a bright future.

In order for that future to work, they need better or different goaltending. Eric Comrie is not the answer, but is just a placeholder until Devon Levi gets his feet under him at the NHL level. Levi has been solid at times, but he was thrown right in the fire last season and expected to carry the Sabres to the playoffs in his rookie year. While it is a smart idea to have him gain confidence and get a ton of playing time in the AHL right now, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has carried the load. He has done pretty well, but there is still uncertainty surrounding him as many see Levi as the franchise goalie being primed to take over very soon.

Until that time, there is an expectation that the Sabres should be in the mix for the playoffs already and continue to be for many years. While the Columbus Blue Jackets have just fired their GM and are looking to sell a lot of assets, Elvis Merzlikins' name has come up in connection to Buffalo. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said that the Sabres have been linked to Merzlikins ahead of the trade deadline this season.

It could be that the Sabres think they still have a chance at making playoffs, but more realistically that they plan to address goaltending with a proven goalie for the next few years and work things out in the offseason. Merzlikins has a larger contract and the Sabres are one of the only teams that can take it on. He has three more years after this one and believes he should be a starter. I agree and the downfall of Columbus has not helped his numbers as he has been buried there for a number of years now. If the two teams could work out a trade, it could be beneficial for everyone involved.