Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Before announcing their 23-man roster on Monday, the Buffalo Sabres claimed goalie Colten Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.
The 25-year-old was one of the best goaltenders in the American Hockey League last season for the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 42 games, he went 22-14-3 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a sparkling .922 save percentage.
Compare that to Devon Levi with the Rochester Americans, who went 25-13-4 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
Ellis was drafted by the Blues in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and has never played an NHL game. After four seasons in the QMJHL, the last with the Charlottetown Islanders, Ellis has played three professional seasons split between the ECHL and AHL.
He is on the Sabres' 23-man roster along with Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen starts the season on Injured Reserve, along with defensemen Michael Kesselring and Owen Power, as well as forwards Jordan Greenway and Carson Meyer.
With three goalies, general manager Kevyn Adams has decided to carry just six defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin, Bo Byram, Conor Timmins, Mattias Samuelsson, Ryan Johnson and Jacob Bryson.
The centers are Josh Norris, Jiri Kulich, Ryan McLeod, Peyton Krebs and Tyson Kozak.
The right wingers are Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Josh Doan and Justin Danforth, while the left wingers are Zach Benson, Jason Zucker, Jack Quinn, Beck Malenstyn and Mason Geertsen.
Benson and Samuelsson both practiced with the team on Monday, while Power and Greenway did rehab skates on their own.
Buffalo opens the season at home on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The Rangers open their season on Tuesday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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