Are we giving 6'6" 225# Erik Portillo his due? Could he be the Big Swede We Need?

[Norcal]

Erik Portillo currently sits in the top 20 in all major statistical categories for college hockey. 

He's been talked about as the MVP of the star studded Michigan Wolverines thus far in the season.

On a team full of top draft picks that is a nice honor.

Now, some of his teammates have left campus and are playing for Olympic medals leaving Portillo and company to hold down the fort. 

He's got time to develop, there's really no rush right now with the current state of the Sabres.

It's just nice knowing he's there, getting better. Being mentioned as a RockStar Goalie doesn't hurt either. 

 

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/01/rock-star-goalie-erik-portillo-a-difference-maker-for-michigan-hockey.html

 

 

 

[North Buffalo]

Dont tease... Sabres in goalie hell right now... lol

[GASabresIUFAN]

Portillo is doing great considering how often Michigan leaves him out to dry.  He is going to be an excellent pro someday.  He needs at least one more year in college. 

[Norcal]

From article above....

"Portillo, nicknamed the “Swedish bull” for how zealously he comes out of the tunnel before games"..

And from Portillo....

"I mean, yeah, I’ve been thinking about it (the NHL), but right now I’m really happy with where I am, so we’ll see what happens after the season.”

[PerreaultForever]

I don't think there's any question we have good goalie prospects in the works, and he's one of them. 

I can fantasize about a day in the future where the discussions here are about what to do with TOO MUCH talent and not enough places to play them. 

[Taro T]

4 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

I don't think there's any question we have good goalie prospects in the works, and he's one of them. 

I can fantasize about a day in the future where the discussions here are about what to do with TOO MUCH talent and not enough places to play them. 

One more thing that may be shaping towards emulating that '05-'06 team.

And, the way things shook out in '05-'06 were not necessarily what was expected back in '03.

[LGR4GM]

In his last 10 games played, Portillo is rocking a .943sv%

[LGR4GM]

 

[kas23]

14 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Portillo is doing great considering how often Michigan leaves him out to dry.  He is going to be an excellent pro someday.  He needs at least one more year in college. 

I think we need at least need Levi or Portillo in Rochester next year. 

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, kas23 said:

I think we need at least need Levi or Portillo in Rochester next year. 

I think we will see Levi signing this spring, with Portillo following the next spring.

[Taro T]

Just now, dudacek said:

I think we will see Levi signing this spring, with Portillo following the next spring.

That's my expectation as well.

But would prefer they both sign this off-season to ensure Portillo doesn't pull a Cal Peterson on them.

[dudacek]

11 minutes ago, Taro T said:

That's my expectation as well.

But would prefer they both sign this off-season to ensure Portillo doesn't pull a Cal Peterson on them.

Portillo says he has been thinking about the NHL and will see what happens after this season.

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/01/rock-star-goalie-erik-portillo-a-difference-maker-for-michigan-hockey.html

 

[Flashsabre]

5 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

 

Why are the American Olympians still playing? 

 

Portillo is very good. He is not a product of being on a stacked team. As others have mentioned, Michigan doesn’t shut it down defensively. Portillo often bails them out.  Earlier in the season he would get himself out of position but he has cleaned that up. When all the Olympians are gone it will be interesting how he plays.  

I don’t think any team has 3 goalie prospects that compare to UPL, Levi and Portillo.

Edited January 29, 2022 by Flashsabre

[French Collection]

It is still early in these 3 goalies’ careers that we don’t know which will be the best.

If they all become 1A or 1B calibre goalies then that is a good problem and one can become a tradable asset.

[Marvin]

3 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

Why are the American Olympians still playing? 

 

Portillo is very good. He is not a product of being on a stacked team. As others have mentioned, Michigan doesn’t shut it down defensively. Portillo often bails them out.  Earlier in the season he would get himself out of position but he has cleaned that up. When all the Olympians are gone it will be interesting how he plays.  

I don’t think any team has 3 goalie prospects that compare to UPL, Levi and Portillo.

And I can see why Subban was so highly rated as well.  Had he not got hurt and continued under Bales, I think we could have been 4 deep in goal in 2 years.  Honestly, I feel good about having that problem.

[nfreeman]

22 hours ago, Taro T said:

That's my expectation as well.

But would prefer they both sign this off-season to ensure Portillo doesn't pull a Cal Peterson on them.

 

21 hours ago, dudacek said:

Portillo says he has been thinking about the NHL and will see what happens after this season.

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2022/01/rock-star-goalie-erik-portillo-a-difference-maker-for-michigan-hockey.html

 

It would probably be better for the Sabres if Portillo played one more year in college and then signed, but Portillo is going to look out for his own interests first, which he should.  If he has a strong finish to the season, it’s quite possible that he’ll push the Sabres to sign him right away.

Portillo will be 22 in September.  UPL turns 23 in March.  Levi doesn’t turn 21 until December.  From Portillo’s perspective, there is no reason for him to wait another season if he thinks he’s ready.

I still want a real NHL goalie brought in this summer, but having those 3 prospects fight it out is a pretty promising situation.  

[Taro T]

46 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

 

It would probably be better for the Sabres if Portillo played one more year in college and then signed, but Portillo is going to look out for his own interests first, which he should.  If he has a strong finish to the season, it’s quite possible that he’ll push the Sabres to sign him right away.

Portillo will be 22 in September.  UPL turns 23 in March.  Levi doesn’t turn 21 until December.  From Portillo’s perspective, there is no reason for him to wait another season if he thinks he’s ready.

I still want a real NHL goalie brought in this summer, but having those 3 prospects fight it out is a pretty promising situation.  

Best case is a real live actual current NHL quality goalie is brought in on a 2 (preferred) or 3 year deal w/ at most a modified NTC & 2 of those 3 are playing in Ra-cha-cha next season.

[dudacek]

I wonder what happens if Anderson, UPL and Levi finish the season well.

UPL would almost certainly have a spot in Buffalo then. Levi will be one of the goalies in Rochester.

Would they bring in a Mrazek or Korpisalo type over signing Craig for another year?

[ddaryl]

16 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I wonder what happens if Anderson, UPL and Levi finish the season well.

UPL would almost certainly have a spot in Buffalo then. Levi will be one of the goalies in Rochester.

Would they bring in a Mrazek or Korpisalo type over signing Craig for another year?

I think they bring The Swedish Bull aka Erik Portillo in to Rochester 1st given the time line. Portillo could potentially go back into the draft if we keep him in College another year if I understand that correctly. Levi however I believe has the extra year or 2 to burn before we have to face that. So from that point of view Portillo 1st.

The question I have would it make sense to bring both Portillo and Levi in.. would there be enough games to satisfy their development if they split the duty. 

[Taro T]

6 minutes ago, ddaryl said:

I think they bring The Swedish Bull aka Erik Portillo in to Rochester 1st given the time line. Portillo could potentially go back into the draft if we keep him in College another year if I understand that correctly. Levi however I believe has the extra year or 2 to burn before we have to face that. So from that point of view Portillo 1st.

The question I have would it make sense to bring both Portillo and Levi in.. would there be enough games to satisfy their development if they split the duty. 

Except the reports are that Levi plans to go pro when Northeastern season is done.

So, they very well could get both in ~3 months for the stretch.  And, if they tell Portillo to stay another year, could definitely see him stay 2 more & walk to wherever he wants to be.

[ddaryl]

6 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Except the reports are that Levi plans to go pro when Northeastern season is done.

So, they very well could get both in ~3 months for the stretch.  And, if they tell Portillo to stay another year, could definitely see him stay 2 more & walk to wherever he wants to be.

Then you got to bring in both IMO and figure that out. We need as many quality G's stacked up as possible 

Haven't heard the Levi news about going pro this year, I only hoped he would.

[dudacek]

3 minutes ago, ddaryl said:

I think they bring The Swedish Bull aka Erik Portillo in to Rochester 1st given the time line. Portillo could potentially go back into the draft if we keep him in College another year if I understand that correctly. Levi however I believe has the extra year or 2 to burn before we have to face that. So from that point of view Portillo 1st.

The question I have would it make sense to bring both Portillo and Levi in.. would there be enough games to satisfy their development if they split the duty. 

Portillo might be older, but he hasn’t had a ton. has played 57 junior and 35 college games in the past 4 seasons, including just 4 playoff games. This year is basically the 1st time he’s been a #1.

Levi’s games played arent much different, but he’s adding an Olympic Games to a resume that includes top goalie performances in the WJC, World Junior A challenge and the Quebec AAAA finals. He’s got a bit more of a track record.

Biron also said Levi is expected to turn pro. 

As far as flight risks, both players are exclusive Buffalo property until Aug.15, 2024.

[nfreeman]

They might sign Levi and Portillo and let them slug it out in Rochester, no?  In fact, now that we're talking about it, it kinda seems like the most likely outcome IMHO.

[Taro T]

5 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

They might sign Levi and Portillo and let them slug it out in Rochester, no?  In fact, now that we're talking about it, it kinda seems like the most likely outcome IMHO.

That's the expectation.  That, or they get 1 now & the other walks in 2 years.  Pretty sure it'll be the former.

[Weave]

They need to sign both this year.   We can’t risk losing Portillo to FA and Levi is clearly no longer being challenged in the NCAA.