Erik Portillo

May 2023 – Portillo inked a two-year entry-level contract worth $875,000 annually in March. Portillo made the jump to North America in 2019-2020 where he appeared in 27 contests for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL where he dazzled with a 2.11 GAA and a 0.915 save percentage to be named the Goaltender of the Year. Portillo then took the reins for the University of Michigan Wolverines. While his overall numbers have consistently dipped over the past few seasons, Portillo still immediately becomes the top goaltending prospect in the Kings organization and could compete for a role at the NHL level soon. Expect him to start next season with the Reign to try and make an impression with the big club. With the goaltending tandem in limbo in Los Angeles, the time could come soon for Portillo to take that step. Sean Crocker

March 2023 – Portillo has been traded to the LA Kings for a 2023 3rd round selection. He has been one of the top goalies in the NCAA for the University of Michigan, even with this season being more of a struggle. Portillo now moves to a team where the path to being a starter is wide open for him to take it sooner than later, instead of one with two similar goalies with high upside that he had in Buffalo. Pat Quinn

August 2020 – Portillo’s 2019-2020 season ended with him being named a USHL First-Team All-Star in April 2020. He recorded the best GAA in the USHL this season with an average of 2.11. He also recorded a save percentage of .915, third among all goalies in the league. His most recent USHL campaign was a tremendous success. The 6-6, 224 lbs goaltender helped the Dubuque Fighting Saints achieve a second-place finish in the USHL standings with a personal record of 19-5-1. He is slated to join the University of Michigan program at the start of the 2020-2021 season. Kevin Wong

January 2020 – Erik Portillo was part of the Swedish World Junior squad, but did not play in net during the tournament. Instead, Hugo Alnefelt and Jesper Eliasson held down the fort. Even though Portillo did not have an appearance in net, he is still an excellent goaltending prospect. He has been unbeatable for the Dubuque Fighting Saints as he owns a 2.05 GAA and a .918 SV% after 18 appearances in the net. He was recently name Goalie of the Week in the USHL, the second time he’s received the honor this season. Josh Tessler

November 2019 – Erik Portillo has been on fire between the pipes for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. On November 19th, the USHL awarded Portillo with Goalie of the Week honors after he posted a 0.99 GAA and a .957 SV% in two starts. So far this season, Portillo owns a 2.06 GAA and a .912 SV% in 11 appearances. With Portillo’s impressive season for Dubuque, he is making a strong case for him to be chosen to represent Sweden at the World Juniors in the Czech Republic. Josh Tessler

July 2019 – As mentioned in the fantasy summary, Portillo is a behemoth of a goaltender. The Sabres love snagging tall goaltenders in the draft and so it is not shocking that they selected Portillo. He had a strong season in the SuperElit and as mentioned in the Sabres July 31-in-31 for 2019, he performed better than Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender prospect Hugo Alnefelt. In terms of his playing style, Portillo has solid positioning. He is not afraid of going behind the net to secure the puck, most of the time he is cautious about going behind the net, but sometimes it is in high danger situations. Portillo has quick reflexes and will drop to knees fairly quickly. In addition, he has got a solid glove and can go side to side efficiently. Portillo is a long-term project. He will spend next season in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and then he will play for the University of Michigan Wolverines. Depending on how his development goes, Sabres fans might see him in the AHL in 3 to 4 seasons. Josh Tessler