Colten Ellis Emerging As Key For Buffalo Sabres

NHL Colten Ellis Emerging As Key For Buffalo Sabres

By Ben Gale

August 31, 2026 • 12:02 AM EDT

Updated 4 days ago

Colten Ellis Emerging As Key For Buffalo Sabres

Colten Ellis wasn’t the name most Sabres bettors circled heading into the season. But after his rookie NHL run, Ellis is looking like a piece you’ll want to keep an eye on for Buffalo futures — and even individual goalie props, if you’re bold. The Sabres finished on top of the Atlantic and even knocked out the Bruins before falling to Montreal in the second round. With that kind of team leap plus a rising goaltending prospect, there’s serious betting potential cooking in Buffalo.

Ellis didn’t have a huge workload behind Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, but his performances are a big reason why Buffalo felt comfortable dealing Devon Levi. Think about that: the Sabres were stacked enough that their young netminder was expendable, which hardly ever happens if there’s any uncertainty. That tells me the Sabres see Ellis not just as a third-stringer, but as a long-term answer between the pipes.

According to Yahoo Sports, Ellis finished the year with a B+ grade after going 8-4-2 in 16 appearances, sporting a 2.90 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage, including one shutout. That’s not Vezina stuff, but for a 25-year-old breaking into the show, he did more than hold his own. More importantly, he showed enough over those starts to move past other prospects and cement himself as the guy the Sabres want waiting in the wings.

Ellis’s track record in the minors — thriving with the Springfield Thunderbirds for two steady seasons — is another big check mark. Here’s where it matters for you: he’s not lightning in a bottle. He’s been building, earning each promotion. The Sabres haven’t rushed him, and that patience usually delivers when a team actually hands over the net. The hitch is, both Lyon and Luukkonen still have contracts for next year. Unless injuries hit, Ellis probably rides the pine or sees spot duty. If you’re betting futures, that’s a wrinkle. But you can’t ignore the signals that a changing of the guard isn’t far off.

There’s another layer to watch: Ellis is about to enter the final year of his contract — as is Lyon. That’s the kind of scenario where camps battle it out all season because the organization has options and motivation. If Ellis outplays Lyon early, the Sabres could shift toward a time-share or even put Lyon on the market. Either way, we’re looking at a live situation with real betting angles heading into camp. The Sabres’ willingness to trade Levi, even after a wobbly finish for Ellis, says a lot about their vision for the crease.

If Ellis keeps improving, the chatter around Buffalo’s goaltending situation is only going to get louder. For bettors, it’s about being early: new number ones often deliver big value before the odds catch up. That’s why I’d watch preseason news and depth chart moves closely. Don’t be shocked if Ellis makes a case to start outright before too long.

Key developments shaping Buffalo’s goaltending

Buffalo finished first in a stacked Atlantic Division and made it to Round 2 of the playoffs.
Ellis jumped over Devon Levi in the Sabres’ goalie depth chart, prompting Buffalo to move Levi.
The Sabres graded Ellis a B+ for his rookie NHL showing with solid stats in limited action.
Both Alex Lyon and Ellis are entering contract years, setting up a possible competition.
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen now has the flexibility to trade one of the veteran goalies if Ellis shines.

Ellis by the numbers and why they matter for bettors

8 wins, 4 losses, 2 OT losses in 16 games: Proves Ellis can handle NHL pressure in spurts.
2.90 GAA, .903 save percentage: Shows he’s already league-average with upside for more.
One shutout: Not flukey, but flashes high-end potential when on his game.
Success in the AHL shows his pipeline rise isn’t random — he’s earned every look.

Why Colten Ellis shapes the Sabres’ outlook

Depth: The Sabres can withstand injuries or slow starts in goal better than most teams.
Trade flexibility: If Ellis keeps rising, Buffalo could offload a veteran for assets and create value elsewhere.
Contract year motivation: Both Ellis and Lyon have major incentives to play well, increasing betting volatility.
Sneaky value: If Ellis grabs a starting job, his early odds for saves, wins, or even Calder buzz are worth tracking.
Team trajectory: With homegrown goalie depth, Buffalo’s future in net looks more stable than competitors’.

Key takeaways for bettors and fans

Ellis has moved into pole position as Buffalo’s next big goaltending hope.
The Sabres’ willingness to let Levi go means high confidence in Ellis long term.
With Lyon possibly on the way out, Ellis could see much more ice time soon.
Betting early on goalie props or team futures leaning on Ellis could be sneaky sharp.
Buffalo’s system has produced steady, non-flashy players who outperform betting lines.
With multiple goalies on expiring deals, watch sabres roster moves for trade signals.
Ellis’s minor league consistency reduces variance, a plus for season-long bets.
Don’t be surprised if Ellis is a household name among bettors by the end of the year.

More coverage: NHL news coverage, NHL betting hub and NHL picks and predictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colten Ellis is a promising young goalie who quickly rose in the Sabres’ depth chart, overtaking Devon Levi. He posted solid stats during his rookie NHL season, positioning himself as a key part of Buffalo’s future goaltending plans.

Ellis played 16 games, earned an 8-4-2 record, posted a 2.90 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage, and recorded one shutout. He received a B+ grade from the team for his rookie NHL campaign.

The Sabres traded young netminder Devon Levi because Ellis surpassed him on the depth chart. Buffalo’s confidence in Ellis’s development made Levi more expendable.

Both Ellis and Lyon are entering the final year of their contracts, which creates competition for playing time and could lead to a shakeup in Buffalo’s crease depending on performance.

If Ellis continues his current trajectory, especially if he outplays Alex Lyon, he could take over as the starter or at least enter a tandem role as soon as the next season.

Bettors should closely monitor preseason moves and early depth chart updates. Ellis’s upward trend and contract year make him a high-upside option to track for goalie props and team futures.

Ellis didn’t get rushed. His steady performance at the AHL level and measured promotion to the NHL set him up as a stable, reliable option, increasing his likely success at the pro level.