Observations:

April 2016 – Makarov is heading back to Russia, he only played 22 games this season, with nine wins, nine losses, a 2.83 GAA and a .916 SV%. Makarov has openly talked about how he is unhappy with the Buffalo brass in how he was played and treated this year in Rochester. He believed he was the better goalie of the three that were competing for time with the Amerks. Makarov is a RFA this summer and will likely not re-sign with the Sabres. Hopefully his return to Russia is not forever, and he will return after the summer. He is capable of backstopping an NHL team, maybe not as a full time starter, but as a good backup, to start. He may be droppable, but with his status up in the air you may have to play the waiting game to see where he ends up for the 2016-17 season. Paul Zwambag

October 2015 – Andrey Makarov was only able to get into one preseason game. The Sabres seem be trying to figure out who their backup is going to be this year and they know what they have in Makarov, who will likely be the starter in the AHL. Makarov will need to continue to improve if he wants to crack the Sabres lineup next year. Makarov only had six shots against in just under 20 minutes of play. He let in one goal to give him a .833 save percentage. In the Prospects Challenge Makarov showed the Sabres brass that he is capable of putting up good numbers, in just over 30 minutes of play he made 14 saves on 14 shots to give him a perfect save percentage. Keep him on your long term prospects list if you are in a dynasty league or have a farm system, he will be an NHL goalie in a few years. Paul Zwambag

June 2015 – Makarov struggled this season in Rochester, playing 39 games (16 wins – 18 loses, .905 SV% and 2.61 GAA). It was nice to see that he had a full year in the AHL. He started one NHL game at the very end of the season, he lost that one and only start to the New York Islanders with a 0.917 SV%. He gave up three goals with 36 shots against. Makarov will likely end up in Rochester for another year, but he will go into training camp battling for one of the goaltender slots if the Sabres acquire a couple of goalies. Better chance in 2016-17 to be a fantasy asset. Keep him on your 'Players to Watch' list, he may be in the NHL sooner rather than later. Paul Zwambag

April 2014 – Andrey Makarov has been recalled for the second time in the past month but this time instead of going from the ECHL to the AHL he's heading to "the show" in Buffalo. The move comes on the heels of yet another injury in the Sabres crease as Nathan Lieuwen has been ruled out for the rest of the regular season because of a concussion suffered versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Makarov has posted middling results split between both the ECHL and AHL this season. In the ECHL he has manned the crease for 31 games posting a 15-11-2-2 record with a 2.79 GAA and 0.906 SV%. During his promotion to the AHL Makarov has held down the fort with a 3-3 record behind a 2.70 GAA and 0.912 SV%. Buffalo has nothing to lose giving Makarov a shot at a third professional debut this season but they may just ride the rest of the season with Hackett between the pipes. Travis Watson

March 2014 – With Matt Hackett and Nathan Lieuwen between the pipes for Rochester, Makarov begins his pro career in the ECHL. As the starter for Fort Wayne, he has posted middling numbers – nothing to discourage an NHL future, but little to encourage one. A long-term project, as we knew all along. Dobber

May 2013 – Andrey Makarov of the host Saskatoon Blades was named Outstanding Goaltender of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup.  The 20-year-old Russian native made 120 saves throughout the course of the tournament and was one of the main reasons the Blades remained competitive.  Brendan Ross

March 2013 – In his second season with the Blades, Makarov has shown tremendous improvement in his statistics. Despite being away from the team to join Russia for the World Junior Tournament, he has improved in wins, losses, GAA, save percentage and shutouts. Makarov is quick across the crease and has a great glove hand but has a tendency to stay in net and not challenge shooters enough. If he can take away the angles from his opponents, his numbers will only get better. Pete Richmire

Fantasy Outlook: B-

Makarov has shown flashes of brilliance in net and as he matures, they may become more consistent. Once he learns to challenge shooters and cuts their angles he could take his steps to Buffalo quicker.

Footage:

Great save vs. United States in the World Junior Championship

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