Share Video
Ullmark was one of two Buffalo goalies exposed to the expansion draft.
The Sabres were in a tough spot here because they had to protect incumbent starter Robin Lehner, and Ullmark is certainly an intriguing player for Vegas. The 23-year-old netminder was a former Swedish League Goalie of the Year winner, and recently signed a two-year, one-way contract worth $750,000 per season, and due to his lack of experience is exempt from waivers. With Marc-Andre Fleury basically assured to be Vegas' starting goalie, Ullmark is a highly regarded prospect who can either back up Fleury or start for the Chicago Wolves, Vegas' AHL affiliate. The Sabres can afford to lose Ullmark because of their relatively strong goaltending depth with prospects Jonas Johansson, Jason Kasdorf and potentially Cal Petersen (still unsigned), but it would be unfortunate to lose Ullmark for nothing. The Sabres, however, also somewhat surprisingly left veteran defensemen Josh Gorges and Zach Bogosian unprotected, taking a gamble that Vegas would prefer a veteran defenseman over a developing and largely unproven goalie. If Ullmark stays in Buffalo -- there's also a chance the team worked out a side deal with Vegas -- he's the leading candidate to back up Lehner or start for AHL Rochester.
