The Sabres should consider pursuing this Sharks goaltender.
One area that the Buffalo Sabres could look to improve is their goaltending. While Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been excellent this season, the rest of their goaltending has been inconsistent. Devon Levi struggled in the NHL and is benefitting playing for the Rochester Americans right now. Meanwhile, Eric Comrie has had a tough campaign and has an expiring deal.
Due to this, the Sabres have been connected to both John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks) and Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets) on the trade market. However, the Sabres also have an interesting goalie whom they could consider targeting over the next two weeks leading up to the deadline - Mackenzie Blackwood of the San Jose Sharks.
Mackenzie BlackwoodBlackwood, 27, has come up in trade chatter, and it makes sense with the Sharks being open for business at the deadline. The Thunder Bay native would be a nice addition to the Sabres, as he would give them more stability in the crease in a backup or 1B role with UPL.
Blackwood has appeared in 34 games this season, where he has a 9-18-3 record and a .898 SV%. While his SV% is under .900, it is essential to note that the Sharks' immensely weak defense in front of him has not made things easy for him. A change of scenery to a better team like the Sabres would likely help him get his numbers up more, as he has been solid for much of this season.
Blackwood has also been trending in the right direction as of late. In five out of his last six starts, he has a .912 SV% or better. One of those appearances included a 32-save shutout against the Seattle Kraken.
Blackwood carries a $2.35 million cap hit until the end of next season. Because of this, he would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired.
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