2:00pm: It seems as though it won’t be Luukkonen after all. The team has used the roster spot to activate Jokiharju, and Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News relays news that the young goaltender woke up sick this morning.
1:15pm: The Buffalo Sabres, expecting to use a three-goalie rotation for a while, have started the process of clearing a roster spot by placing Casey Fitzgerald on waivers according to Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets. By including the purpose of assigning to the minor leagues, the team will be able to immediately recall Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is expected to start tonight.
There’s certainly no guarantee that the 25-year-old defenseman clears, though. Fitzgerald has played in 59 NHL games over the last two seasons and is on an expiring league-minimum contract. If a club is looking for some defensive depth, there are worse options than the 2016 third-round pick, who can do a little bit of everything.
It’s unlikely that he ever becomes a difference-maker at the NHL level, but this move does include some risk for the Sabres. The team doesn’t have a ton of depth on defense, even with Henri Jokiharju returning soon. Beyond the group that is currently on the active roster, only four defensemen are signed to NHL contracts. A few injuries all at once could quickly put them in a tricky situation.
Wonder if his dad tries to claim him for Utica
Well, I can see pop claiming boy. But if he wants him in Utica he’ll have to pass through waivers.
Fitz has a lot of sandpaper. He could be a nice insurance player for a team expecting a long playoff run.
Almost every team that loses more than 2 defenceman can see their defensive depth take a hit.
The Sabres have Pilut in Rochester plus the prospect they acquired from Dallas recently.
Pilut, Bryson clague are barely average, those 3 and the current defense are not physical enough, they get man handled