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.
Gives up five in loss
GBuffalo Sabres
January 11, 2025
Luukkonen made 24 saves in a 6-2 loss to the Kraken on Saturday. He allowed five goals.
ANALYSIS
The Sabres fell apart after going up 2-0, and UPL had a rough night. He'd like to have a couple of those goals back. Luukkonen was coming off a 35-save shutout over Ottawa on Thursday, and he had won two straight. He's certainly talented, but playing behind the Sabres right now is an exercise in frustration for both him and fantasy managers.
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
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    57:41
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen See More
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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
Set to face Seattle
GBuffalo Sabres
January 11, 2025
Luukkonen is expected to start at home against Seattle on Saturday, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.
ANALYSIS
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Blanks Sens on Thursday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 10, 2025
Luukkonen made 35 saves in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Senators.
ANALYSIS
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Slated to start Thursday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 9, 2025
Luukkonen was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate and is expected to guard the road crease in Ottawa on Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Hangs on for shootout win
GBuffalo Sabres
January 7, 2025
Luukkonen stopped 25 shots in regulation and overtime and three of four shootout attempts in Monday's 4-3 win over the Capitals.
ANALYSIS
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In blue paint versus Washington
GBuffalo Sabres
January 6, 2025
Luukkonen will defend the home crease Monday against the Capitals, per Heather Engel of NHL.com.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Occupies starter's crease
GBuffalo Sabres
January 6, 2025
Luukkonen was in the starter's net during the morning skate, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports, putting him on track to get the nod for Monday's home game versus Washington.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen has surrendered nine goals on 61 shots en route to a record of 0-1-1 in his last two outings. He has earned a record of 11-12-4 with a 3.07 GAA and an .894 save percentage through 28 appearances this season.
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