Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

25-Year-Old GoalieG
Buffalo Sabres
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Luukkonen's game took a big jump in 2023-24, so much so that it earned him a five-year extension with a $4.75 million AAV. Despite playing behind a weak defense, UPL put up a 27-22-4 record, 2.57 GAA and .910 save percentage - adding a whopping sixth-best GSAx (goals saved above expected) of 22.46. By comparison, Jeremy Swayman was fifth in GSAx, and that GAA tied him with Linus Ullmark for ninth in the league. Luukkonen is now ensconced as the Sabres' top guy for the next several seasons, while wunderkind Devon Levi gets much-needed development time in the AHL. UPL will once again thrive under a heavy workload like he did once Levi was sent to the minors, but this time for a full season, without the early-year chaos that came last year with the Levi show. Luukkonen is about to step into stardom. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a five-year, $23.75 million contract with the Sabres in July of 2024.
Earns shutout in return
GBuffalo Sabres
November 20, 2024
Luukkonen recorded a 23-save shutout in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Kings.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen missed about a week with an undisclosed injury, but a light schedule in that span meant he only sat out two games. The 25-year-old was excellent in his return, earning his first shutout of the season and his fourth win in his last six appearances, a span in which he's allowed more than two goals just one time. Luukkonen is up to a 7-4-1 record with a 2.61 GAA and a .910 save percentage through 13 outings, numbers roughly in line with his breakout performance from 2023-24. He should operate as the Sabres' No. 1 goalie moving forward. The team wraps up its California trip with a back-to-back featuring games in Anaheim on Friday and San Jose on Saturday, so expect Luukkonen and James Reimer to split those starts.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2018
The 2022-23 campaign was supposed to be one where Luukkonen got to develop in the minors, but injuries messed with that plan. Instead, the 24-year-old posted a 3.61 GAA and an .891 save percentage in 33 contests with Buffalo, along with a 3.07 GAA and an .898 save percentage in nine AHL games with Rochester. On top of not getting the opportunity to focus on working on his game in the minors, the Sabres' poor defense made them a goaltender's nightmare last season. However, it's still true that Luukkonen failed to take advantage of the opportunities he was given, and the campaign can be regarded as a disappointment. There's a decent chance Luukkonen will enter 2023-24 in the NHL as part of a goaltending duo with Devon Levi, but Luukkonen still has a lot to prove, and he'll need to overcome the Sabres' subpar defense.
Crushed by injuries, the Sabres were forced to give Luukkonen nine NHL games a season ago. He by no means embarrassed himself in the brief run (2-5-2 record, 2.74 GAA, .917 save percentage), but Luukkonen clearly would have been better off spending the entire year in the minors. Buffalo signed Eric Comrie in free agency and brought back 41-year-old Craig Anderson on a one-year deal. They also have Malcolm Subban around. That should ensure UPL heads back to AHL Rochester for most or all of the 2022-23 campaign, which isn't the worst thing in the world considering he won't be 24 years old until next March.
Luukkonen was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres in the summer but will spend the 2018-19 season with the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL after a ban on European goalies was lifted. Despite a poor showing at the World Juniors, Luukkonen is considered one of the country's top young netminders and will likely be the starter for the Wolves. With four other goalies in the system already, the only way Luukkonen will see action with the Sabres or AHL Rochester is on an emergency call-up basis.
More Fantasy News
Patrolling crease Wednesday
GBuffalo Sabres
November 20, 2024
Luukkonen will defend the blue paint on the road versus the Kings on Wednesday, per NHL.com.
ANALYSIS
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Ready to play
GBuffalo Sabres
November 18, 2024
Luukkonen (undisclosed) is healthy and available, allowing the team to send Devon Levi down to the minors, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't start Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
Undisclosed
November 15, 2024
Luukkonen (undisclosed) won't start in Saturday's road matchup against Philadelphia, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not in lineup Thursday
GBuffalo Sabres
Undisclosed
November 14, 2024
Luukkonen (undisclosed) will not dress in Thursday's home game versus St. Louis, according to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
ANALYSIS
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Considered day-to-day
GBuffalo Sabres
Undisclosed
November 13, 2024
Head coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday that Luukkonen (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Projected starter Wednesday
GBuffalo Sabres
November 20, 2024
Luukkonen, who missed Buffalo's past two games because of an undisclosed injury, is manning the starter's net during Wednesday's practice, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, which might indicate that he'll start during this evening's road game against LA.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen has a 6-4-1 record, 2.83 GAA and .903 save percentage in 12 appearances this season. Buffalo sent Devon Levi to AHL Rochester, leaving Buffalo with only two goaltenders on the roster, so at the very least, Luukkonen should serve as the backup netminder Wednesday. The Kings have a 10-6-3 record and rank 14th offensively with 3.21 goals per game.
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