How expendable is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the Sabres?
The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with a four-headed monster between the pipes, and it looks like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might end up being the odd man out.
The 26-year-old Finn has spent his entire North American pro career with the Sabres organization since being drafted by the club in the second round back in 2017. But with Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis both impressing, as well as top prospect Devon Levi on the cusp of reaching the NHL, it might be time for the Sabres to explore the possibility of trading ‘UPL’ to address another position.
Standing 6’5″ and weighing in at 223 pounds, Luukkonen checks all the boxes of a modern NHL goaltender. He has a 4-3-1 record and an .899 save percentage in eight games with the Sabres this year, but it’s possible that his $4.75 million cap hit through 2029 could limit the market for him. Luukkonen also has a partial no-trade clause in his deal that kicks in prior to the 2026-27 season.
On Thursday’s edition of Daily Faceoff Live, co-host (and former Sabres goaltender) Carter Hutton discussed Luukkonen’s future with NHL insider David Pagnotta.
Carter Hutton: The team I want to jump to is the Buffalo Sabres. When I talk about UPL, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, right, he’s obviously been at the forefront of trade talks and where he’s at. He’s 3-1 in his last four, he’s above league average in save percentage, which is crazy to say at .899. What happens in Buffalo? Is he a guy that gets moved out?
David Pagnotta: Look, Buffalo has, at least they feel they have, a pretty good bag of riches in net. And with Devon Levi coming up and with how some of the other guys have performed this season, UPL, it looks like, might be a little more expendable. Now, you try to examine this a little bit more and you go, ‘Well, he’s got a no-trade clause that kicks in next season,’ in July, and is there a possibility of something happening now? I think Buffalo is willing to listen. He’s got a $4.75 million cap hit. I think the Sabres will listen, if they do make a move I believe it would be to address other areas of the team, not necessarily getting a goalie back. I don’t think they need that, they’d be looking at either somebody up front or on the back end, probably up front. But, given the marketplace, I don’t anticipate something happening right now … it might be something more geared towards the off-season.
Watch the full episode here: