“We Know It’s Not Comfortable” | Lindy Ruff On Three Goaltender Rotation | Buffalo Sabres

I know we talked about uh Lukan in the last couple of games. Actually, we can go back probably five games to to where he, you know, has played pretty well for you. Uh is it just he needed to just get himself into a bit of a groove after what had happened to him? Yeah, you know, I think that for the most part that’s what it was. I mean, lack of playing time and uh and getting through an injury sometimes it takes some time. the other side. Alex Line played a lot of games early. He’s maybe your early season MVP. What’s the experience for a goalie to, you know, go from one extreme to the other where he’s playing basically every game and he’s he’s set a bit now? Yeah, you know, I think uh in some sense I think he’s used to that type of rotation where, you know, he’s sort of been a career backup and uh he got pushed into a bigger role for us early on, but uh he’s a guy that knows how to prepare. He knows how to stay ready. I know this isn’t an ideal situation with three goalies, but how do you how do you do your part to make it work? Uh, you know, I think the the conversations I have with with Mike Bales, um, the conversations with with each goalie, um, I think we all know it’s it’s something that’s not it’s not comfortable. It’s not uh, you know, there’s other teams dealing with three goalies. We’re we’re doing it right now. I think with UPPL’s injury early in the year, it it forced us into a situation where we had to make sure we we had ourselves covered off. Um so I think constant communication about where we’re at and uh you know just take this dayto day. Is Kessleman close to getting back on the ice with you guys? Um I don’t have an an update on him. I know he’s progressing. Um that that means that as soon as he’s ready and off ice looks good, he’ll he’ll hit the ice. Zack Benson, what has he brought back into the lineup even though it’s only been one game? What have you seen so far from him? Uh smart player, makes a lot of good plays, great energy inside the game. Um he he is a player that, you know, does the right thing at the right time. Uh he’s got that that hockey IQ that takes him to the right places almost uh almost every shift. This has been a building where you guys have been able to get some leads and of course we know who’s on the other side and sometimes it gets away because of who is on the other side. They get going. H how do you like all right you got the lead now kind of keep them under control after that? Um you know again it’s we know he’s going to he’s going to create some opportunities. I think both Malcolin and Crosby have have got off to a great start this year. Played very well. Um they’re world elite players. Um and and they know what it takes. And I think when the game’s on the line, they they both elevate their play. You know, I think our last preseason game, which uh you know, we had a couple goal lead and they ended up with a couple power plays and they end up with a power play goal. Um, you know, those are the guys that are making the difference and and I think both of those guys, Sid and and Malin have been have been guys throughout their career here have been difference makers. We have to limit that. I don’t know if you can totally take it away. Does it surprise you and I’ll throw an Ovetkin in this too that these guys are still at such a high level at the age they are incredible athletes. um you know there’s there’s few athletes can can do what what they’re doing and I think there’s a few athletes in every sport that are able to do it. Um you know whether it’s some quarterbacks in football or or these guys in hockey or you know you have that odd veteran pitcher in baseball that you know can can push through and in the latter part of their careers and u I just think it comes down to it’s a physical makeup. It’s uh it it has to be a determination to keep yourself in elite shape. Um so they’re special athletes with Josh Norris on on the verge of coming back. Just what you know, we’ve seen him for years, but what element does he offer you in your own words? I mean, what what do you see from him that he can maybe change your lineup and um you know, I think uh he’s always been really good in the faceoff dot. Great speed. He’s a good he’s a good goal scorer. Uh he he’s a good player. Um, you know, I think anytime you put another good player with great speed inside your lineup, you’re making your team better. I know it’s a good problem to have, but he and Tage seem to go well together, but Tage is on a line right now that’s playing really, really well. I don’t know if you want to mess with it. And so, how what do you think about that? And obviously a very good problem to have. I I think bringing a player back into your lineup that’s going to make you a better team is a is an awesome problem to have. um it just might bring us another line that can be just as effective and and and help us win. You know, say that the Thompson line is is getting the tougher matchup and you have another line with a Norris on a Norris and a Benson. Um it’ll make us even more dangerous.

Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to the media ahead of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 26, 2025. He talked about the recent play of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and how the team balances having three goalies on the roster. He also gave an update on Michael Kesselring, and what Zach Benson brings to the lineup now that he has returned. He also talked about potentially getting Josh Norris back soon.

Subscribe to the Buffalo Sabres YT Channel: https://bit.ly/2G1G8eT
For More Sabres Action: https://bufsabres.co/2XAYg5m

#BuffaloSabres #Sabres #NHL

For more Sabres action: Sabres.com
Follow us on X: twitter.com/BuffaloSabres
Follow us on TikTok: https://bufsabres.co/TikTok
Follow us on Instagram: Instagram.com/buffalosabres
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/buffalosabres

3 comments
Leave a Reply