Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Agent: No extension talks between Sabres and Neuvirth

Michal Neuvirth

Michal Neuvirth

AP

There have been no discussions for a new contract between Buffalo and pending UFA goalie Michal Neuvirth, player agent Patrick Stefan told PHT on Friday.

Neuvirth, 26, assumed the Sabres’ No. 1 gig following Jhonas Enroth’s trade to Dallas and has been the goalie of record ever since. Over that stretch, the Czech netminder -- who’s in the last of a two-year, $5 million deal -- has played very well, allowing just five goals on 103 shots (.951 save percentage) while earning high praise from onlookers:

Full marks for Neuvirth. First win since Nov. 15. #Sabres 7-2 in shootouts. Just a brutal loss for #Flyers.

— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) February 20, 2015


#Flyers hand Michal Neuvirth his first win since Nov. 15. He was previously 0-10-1, admittedly playing well since Enroth trade.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 20, 2015


Nolan on Neuvirth: For a young goaltender trying to establish himself as a #1, the difference makers, that’s how you’ve got to be. #BUFvsPHI

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 20, 2015


Neuvirth’s numbers on the year remain unimpressive -- 4-15-2, .310 GAA, .913 save percentage -- though his playing opportunities were limited earlier in the year with Enroth in the fold.

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see if Sabres GM Tim Murray opts to begin negotiations, as the current state of Buffalo’s goaltending behind Neuvirth and Anders Lindback (another pending UFA) is murky. Matt Hackett, 24, and Nathan Lieuwen, 23, could still turn into NHL-caliber netminders, but they’re not there yet; the club’s three most recent draftees (Linus Ullmark, Cal Petersen, Jonas Johansson) don’t project to be ready anytime soon.

As for heading to free agency... Neuvirth would be one of the youngest and most intriguing UFAs on the market, and could probably garner more interest than, say, Antti Niemi or Viktor Fasth. Problem is, this projects to be a buyer’s market for goalies and there aren’t many starting opportunities available.