Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Colten Ellis had his first practice with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday after being claimed off waivers on Monday from the St. Louis Blues.<\/p>\n
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff says they couldn\u2019t pass up the opportunity to claim Ellis, who had been on their radar.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev has been placed on waivers. Despite Georgiev missing Tuesday’s practice, he has not been placed on unconditional waivers, which would be to terminate his contract.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve been around him, he\u2019s a good person. He\u2019s worked hard and has done everything that was asked, I just felt that we couldn\u2019t pass up on this opportunity,” explained Ruff following Tuesday’s practice.<\/p>\n
Speaking of goaltending, Ruff also gave an update on the status of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
“‘UPL’ is feeling better, which is good. He\u2019s progressing,” he said. “We feel in Lyon, we\u2019ve got a guy that can play also and help us win games.”<\/p>\n
Ellis has spent five seasons in the Blues organization in the ECHL and AHL. It didn\u2019t seem like an NHL chance was on the horizon, so he was pleased he was claimed by the Sabres.<\/p>\n
“It was my first time going on waivers, so I didn\u2019t really know what the process is like,” Ellis admitted following Tuesday’s practice. “When I got the call yesterday, I was super excited for the opportunity here.”<\/p>\n
Ellis was solid last season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, and felt he got what he could out of the season.<\/p>\n
“It was good,” he said. “It\u2019s all you look for every year, to improve on the things that you work on all summer.”<\/p>\n
Ellis has also worked with two goalie coaches this offseason to refine his skills.<\/p>\n
By the time waivers were over and the NHL awarded Ellis to Buffalo, he had already gotten from St. Louis to Springfield. He says he got right in the car and drove the five-and-a-half hours to Buffalo to join the Sabres.<\/p>\n
Ellis feels he\u2019s prepared for this opportunity.<\/p>\n
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong says he was surprised Buffalo would go for a goalie with no NHL experience:<\/p>\n
Army on Ellis: “I’d say somewhat surprised only because he doesn’t have that NHL resume. So when he gets put into that first contest, it’s his first contest. Sometimes when you’re dealing with injuries you’re looking for the stability of someone with a proven track record. (MORE)<\/p>\n
\u2014 Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Army: “But he had a great year last year. He’s progressed very well. When I called him yesterday I said I’m really happy for you, really disappointed for the organization because you’ve done everything you could do to put yourself in a great spot. He was clearly our No. 3. (MORE)<\/p>\n \u2014 Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Army: “Now he has the opportunity to take whatever Buffalo gives him and carve out an NHL career quickly. He wasn’t going to get that here obviously with Hofer and Binnington.” (3\/3) #stlblues<\/a><\/p>\n