BUFFALO – About to turn 35, an advanced age for a goalie, and coming off a season in which he played just 24 games for the Rochester Americans, Dustin Tokarski found few suitors on the open market.
Finally, in September, Tokarski signed a tryout to attend the Ottawa Senators’ training camp.
When the Senators released the former Sabres backup at the end of camp, he went home to Saskatchewan.
“Just waiting for an opportunity, and fortunately one came,” Tokarski told the Times Herald on Wednesday prior to the Carolina Hurricanes’ 4-2 loss to the Sabres in KeyBank Center.
Hours later, Tokarski started for the Hurricanes, his sixth outing since signing a one-year, two-way contract Dec. 2. He entered the game having compiled a 4-1-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.
On Dec. 15, he played his first NHL game in 22 months. On Friday, he recorded his first shutout since March 18, 2022, when he backstopped the Sabres to 1-0 win over the Calgary Flames.
How did Tokarski, one of the most decorated goalies in AHL history, end up in Carolina?
“Crazy story,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “We’ve had our issues (in) net just with the health issues, (Frederik Andersen) especially. I mean, he’s missed more than he’s played with us since he’s been here. So you’re kind of scrambling there.
“Dusty came in here and you talk about consistency, he’s added some stability when he’s gone in, and he’s given us a chance to win when he’s played. And that’s what you’re asking for when you’re bringing a goalie – any goalie – but especially a backup goalie, he’s got to give you a chance, and that’s what he’s done.”
Tokarski has done a lot over his 16-year pro career, winning three Calder Cups. After playing 42 games for the Sabres over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons – he spent all of the latter campaign in Buffalo – they brought him back to the organization last season.
But prospect Devon Levi’s arrival in Rochester cost him playing time, and he posted a 3.36 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage, the worst numbers of his career.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes, Tokarski signed a professional tryout with the Chicago Wolves, their AHL affiliate. After winning four of his five games, one of the NHL’s heavyweights signed him.
“Great group of guys that works their tail off every single night, plays hard for each other, does the little things, competes,” said Tokarski, who’s still sporting his Sabres mask.
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Sabres winger Jiri Kulich, who has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, participated in Wednesday’s morning’s optional pregame skate and could play as soon as Friday, coach Lindy Ruff said.
“Friday’s a longshot but should be good to go after that,” Ruff said of the Sabres’ home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. “But I wouldn’t rule out Friday, either.”
If Kulich, 20, doesn’t play Friday, he could return for Monday afternoon’s contest against the Seattle Kraken, the start of a four-game road trip.
The rookie has scored seven goals and nine points in 31 games this season.
Meanwhile, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who missed two games because of illness, played Wednesday. Samuelsson was a game-time decision.
“He kind of had a little on and off with the sickness,” Ruff said. “Thought it was away, came back a little. But felt better again yesterday.”
To create room for Samuelsson, the Sabres scratched defenseman Jacob Bryson.
Notes: Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn played after missing three games because of illness. … The Sabres also scratched winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Dennis Gilbert (both healthy). … The Hurricanes have three other former Sabres on their roster: forwards William Carrier, Tyson Jost and Eric Robinson. Only Robinson, who has scored 10 goals this season, the second-highest total of his career, played Wednesday.
We have a breakdown of the #Bills‘ win over the Broncos, while former #Buffalo offensive lineman @Ostroski_BigO joined @BillHoppeNHL and I to dig into this week’s huge game against the #Ravens, plus a few stories from his time with the Bills.https://t.co/HmzaYX5eNr
— Nick Sabato (@NickSabatoGNN) January 15, 2025