Buffalo Sabres Sign Goaltender Matt Villalta to One-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.

What happened?

The Sabres made this move after trading Devon Levi to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week, aiming to bolster their goalie depth.

The team currently stands 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 50-23 record, on a L1 streak.

Why it matters for Buffalo Sabres

Villalta's addition will help the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, as he has extensive experience in the AHL with 235 career games.

He posted a 16-12-3 record, an .895 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average in 33 games with the Tucson Roadrunners during the 2025-26 season.

What comes next?

With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis already on the roster, Villalta's signing provides the Sabres with more options in goal.

Villalta has made NHL appearances during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, with a 1-1-0 record, a 3.64 goals-against average, and an .867 save percentage in three career NHL games.

The 6-foot-3 goalie spent the past season in the AHL, but his NHL experience will be valuable for the Sabres.

The Sabres' goalie depth has been a focus after the trade of Devon Levi, and Villalta's signing addresses this need.

Villalta's career AHL statistics include a 123-83-20 record, a .903 save percentage, a 2.93 goals-against average, and 10 shutouts.

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season, and Villalta's signing is a step in this direction.