Jhonas Enroth

Enroth performed well with the Kings last season, finishing with a 2.17 goals-against average and .922 save percentage, superior numbers to Jonathan Quick, but also due to a very small sample size with just 16 appearances. The 28-year-old Swede never really had a shot at a No. 1 job, but in leagues where big goalies are the craze, Enroth’s 5-foot-10 frame doesn’t draw much attention. He’s a very good backup, though, and could step up in a pinch should a team find a need for him on the open market.

A second-round pick in 2006, the undersized Enroth has always been a career backup, though last season was a particularly tough one for the Swede. Pressed into starting duty for the lowly Sabres before being dealt to the Stars (where he returned to a No. 2 role), Enroth was routinely whipped by opposing offenses. Over his 50 games, Enroth put up the worst numbers of his career, posting a 3.07 GAA to go along with a .904 save percentage. He could get a second life behind the Kings' blue line, which allowed its goalies to see the fewest shots of any team last season; conversely, the Sabres' blue line was worst in the league in that respect, surrendering almost nine more shots per game than Los Angeles. With a better team context in place, it will now be incumbent upon Enroth to show that he wasn't the problem in Buffalo, and that he can capably relieve Jonathan Quick, who ceded just 11 games to his backups last season.

It was a frustrating 2013-14 season for Enroth, who won just four games in 26 starts. He played quite well on a team that allowed a lot of shots and finished with a respectable .911 save percentage and 2.82 GAA. Enroth inherited the starting job when Ryan Miller was traded, but he is not believed to be a franchise goaltender and possesses just 81 games of NHL experience. However, since he’s still under contract with the Sabres for two more years, Enroth will battle Michael Neuvirth for the starting gig this season, though a timeshare at the position is perhaps more likely. Either way, Enroth will have to get comfortable with the prospect of playing behind one of the league’s most porous defenses.

In two full seasons of being firmly entrenched as the Sabres’ backup, Enroth had done little to put pressure on incumbent Ryan Miller until a string of starts last April. Then, he backstopped Sweden to a gold medal at the World Championships and was named the tournament’s top goaltender. With trade rumors circling Miller and the Sabres rebuilding, the timing could be ripe for Enroth to see an increased role. Wins might be hard to come by in Buffalo, but Enroth seems poised to improve on his numbers (4-4-1, 2.60 GAA, .919 SV%) and is at the very least a must-have insurance pickup for Miller owners.

Enroth saw action in 26 games last season, posting an 8-11-4 record, but rarely left the bench during the Sabres' playoff push as the club once again relied on Ryan Miller. He was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team, but it's not like there were many other netminders to choose from; most of Enroth's playing time came while Miller was healing from a concussion sustained during the infamous Milan Lucic incident. Enroth is likely to start about 20 games this season, as it doesn't appear Coach Lindy Ruff is ready to stray too far from the workhorse Buffalo has in Miller. Look at Enroth as a handcuff for Miller in standard leagues and he's worth stashing away on rosters in deep keeper leagues.

Enroth signed a new deal with the Sabres over the summer, and while it is a two-way contract, most expect the talented young goaltender to remain in Buffalo as the backstop to Ryan Miller for most of 2011-12. In a handful of starts for Buffalo last year, Enroth was extremely hot and extremely cold. His save percentage (.907) left a lot to be desired in his starts in Buffalo, and it really wasn't that great in his appearances for Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Portland either (.912). Still, he's shined before early in his career so there's upside here, and he's easily a better backup than an aged Patrick Lalime was the last few seasons.

Enroth is one of the brighter prospects in the Sabres organization, but, as a goalie in Buffalo's system, he won't be with the big club unless there are injuries. A great 2010-11 in Portland this season could give the Sabres a good problem to have -- depth in goal. It will be fun to check in from time to time and see how the Swedish goalie is progressing on the farm.

In his first season in the AHL, Enroth posted 2.75 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Although he is still considered to be one of the top goalie prospects in the league, the Sabres aren't looking to move him to the NHL anytime soon with Ryan Miller under a long term contract. As of now, Enroth's best chances rely on an injured Miller or as trade bait.

Enroth will make the switch from his native Sweden to the AHL this season. He's a highly touted prospect, but there's no room for him in Buffalo with Ryan Miller signed through 2013-14.

Enroth is a 19-year-old that the Sabres hope will develop into an NHL-ready prospect in the next two or three years. His upside is significant, but look for him to spend at least another year in his native Sweden.

With backup goalie Martin Biron the subject of trade talks, Enroth may actually see the NHL sooner rather than later. He is still extremely young, however, so the Sabres may keep him in the minors for a while.