The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with goaltending challenges and depth issues as they navigate the early stages of the season. With Levi recovering from injury and Tokarski still on the mend, the team may need to recall Devin Cooley, who has been performing well for the Rochester Amerks. Cooley, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with Buffalo in July, has a. 903 save percentage in four appearances with the Amerks.

However, the Sabres may have difficulty finding an upgrade in goal if they are looking for a more experienced option than Levi or Luukkonen. While John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is a potential trade candidate, his three-year contract with a salary cap hit of $6.4 million makes it challenging for the Sabres to make a move. Additionally, Gibson's performance on a struggling team may not warrant the exchange of valuable assets for his services.

The Sabres' struggles extend beyond the goaltending position. The team's lack of scoring has been problematic, particularly as they struggle defensively due to turnovers. The primary issue lies in the team's propensity for forcing passes and overskating the puck on breakouts, which has resulted in easy offense for their opponents. This has put immense pressure on goaltender Luukkonen, who faced a barrage of shots in the third period of a recent game.

There are also concerns about the depth of the Sabres' forward group. With Jack Quinn out until at least late December and Victor Olofsson relegated to a fourth-line role, the prospects in Rochester have not impressed enough to secure a roster spot. As a result, the team's general manager, Kevyn Adams, has been cautious about adding a forward, unwilling to overspend on a rental player that could hinder the development of prospects like Matt Savoie or Jiri Kulich. However, the lack of depth raises questions about the team's ability to remain competitive.

In terms of player development, there is anticipation regarding the NHL debut of defenseman Ryan Johnson. While his performance with the Rochester Amerks is unknown, Johnson is among the potential candidates for an early recall to the Sabres if the need arises. Other options include Riley Stillman and Kale Clague, who could provide support on the blue line.

One highly anticipated prospect, Matt Savoie, is expected to make his NHL debut once his conditioning stint in Rochester concludes next week. The Sabres will need to decide whether to send Zach Benson back to the Western Hockey League's Wenatchee Wild or keep him in Buffalo. Benson has shown promise during his time with the team but needs to further develop his strength and confidence before making a significant impact. The Sabres can maximize his playing time without burning the first year of his entry-level contract, then allocate the roster spot to Savoie, Kulich, or someone more experienced like Brandon Biro.

While it is still early in the season, there are growing concerns about the Sabres' ability to string together strong performances consistently. The team acknowledges the style of play necessary to succeed but has struggled to execute it consistently. Improvements in defensive-zone coverage and limiting turnovers will be crucial moving forward.

As the Sabres continue to navigate these challenges, the team must find a way to address their goaltending issues and lack of depth to stay competitive in a highly competitive league. The upcoming weeks will be critical for the team to turn their fortunes around and climb up the standings.