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.
Impressive vs. Isles
GBuffalo Sabres
December 24, 2024
Luukkonen stopped 27 of 28 shots in Monday's 7-1 win over the Islanders.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen recorded his first win since Nov. 22 and was excellent in this contest, giving up a goal in the second period to Kyle Palmieri when Buffalo already had a five-goal advantage. This was also a huge bounce-back performance for Luukkonen, who, record aside, had posted a save percentage below the .720 mark in his last two starts while allowing 10 goals on 34 shots in that span. The Finnish netminder should remain as Buffalo's top option between the pipes, but the team's overall struggles limit his upside considerably.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    56:56
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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
Between pipes on Long Island
GBuffalo Sabres
December 23, 2024
Luukkonen will protect the road crease Monday against the Islanders, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
ANALYSIS
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Not starting Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
December 21, 2024
Although it appeared Luukkonen would start in Saturday's road game against Boston, James Reimer will get the nod instead, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Will start again Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
December 20, 2024
Luukkonen is slated to start on the road versus the Bruins on Saturday, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
ANALYSIS
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Slated starter Friday
GBuffalo Sabres
December 20, 2024
Luukkonen is expected to start in Friday's home tilt against Toronto, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
ANALYSIS
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Pulled early in loss
GBuffalo Sabres
December 17, 2024
Luukkonen allowed six goals on 21 shots in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to Montreal.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Occupying starter's crease
GBuffalo Sabres
December 20, 2024
Luukkonen is in the starter's crease at morning skate and is slated to get the home start versus Toronto on Friday, per Michael Augello of The Hockey News.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen is 0-6-2 with a 3.79 GAA and an .874 save percentage since his last win Nov. 22 in Anaheim. Overall, Luukkonen is 8-10-3 with one shutout, a 3.00 GAA and an .896 save percentage. The Maple Leafs sit atop the Atlantic Division standings with 42 points in 32 games.
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