Subban appeared in one game for Columbus during his recall and impressed despite losing with 32 saves on 35 shots (.914 SV%) but has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL) on Monday for the playoff push. The 30-year-old veteran returns to Cleveland, where he has struggled since being acquired at the trade deadline, with his 0-3-0 record, 4.56 GAA and .853 SV%.
With Columbus unsure of the status of both Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov heading into Saturday, they have recalled 30-year-old Malcolm Subban from Cleveland (AHL) on an emergency basis. The well-traveled goaltender last appeared in the NHL with Buffalo in 2021-22 and has played for four teams across seven NHL seasons and has a 36-33-9 record, 3.10 GAA and .898 SV% in 86 games played.
Subban has not played an NHL game since the 2021-22 season with the Buffalo Sabres, playing exclusively in the AHL since then. The 30-year-old Subban has enjoyed a respectable season with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), posting a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV% in 31 games (11-14-4).
Subban was 20-14-5 with a .903 SV% and a 2.94 GAA with Rochester (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with St.Louis. The 29-year-old net minder was Boston's first-round pick (24th overall) in 2012 and has played in 86 career NHL games across eight seasons, picking up a 36-33-9 record to go along with his 3.10 GAA and .898 SV%.
Subban suffered a lower-body injury in his Sabres debut on Saturday and will not play vs. the Ducks. Subban was on the ice this morning and head coach Don Granato said he's making "definite progress."
The Sabres acquired Subban from the Blackhawks on Thursday and immediately summon him from the AHL ahead of Saturday's game. Given the fact that Dustin Tokarski is in COVID-19 protocol and Aaron Dell has struggled mightily this season, Subban could make his Sabres debut on Saturday. Subban has gone 36-31-8 with a 3.02 GAA and .899 SV% in 82 career NHL games.
The Sabres have been searching for goaltending help and they found some in Subban, who was in the AHL and stuck behind Marc-Andre Fleury and Kevin Lankinen on the depth chart. Subban has gone 2-2-1 with a 3.38 GAA and .893 SV% in the AHL this season.
