The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday added goalie depth, signing Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract.
Villalta, 27, gives the Sabres a veteran netminder for the Rochester Americans. He will likely share the net with prospects Topias Leinonen or Scott Ratzlaff, both of whom spent time in the AHL last season.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Villalta has spent most of his career in the AHL, compiling 123-83-20 record with a 2.93 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 235 career games.
He spent the last three seasons with the Tucson Roadrunners, the Utah Mammoth’s top affiliate. He was named to the AHL All-Star Classic in 2023-24.
Villalta registered a 16-12-3 mark with a 3.10 goals-against average, an .895 save percentage and one shutout in 33 games last season.
He has played three NHL games, compiling a 1-1-0 record with a 3.64 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage.
The Los Angeles Kings drafted Villalta in the third round in 2017, 72nd overall.
The Sabres needed a goalie for Rochester after trading Devon Levi to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.