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.
Tough loss Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
November 3, 2024
Luukkonen stopped 21 shots in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Red Wings.
ANALYSIS
Both pucks that beat Luukkonen came on Detroit power plays, with Dylan Larkin sniping both in the second period, and the Buffalo offense couldn't find a response. Luukkonen has started five of the Sabres' last six games as he settles into the No. 1 role, going 3-2-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .904 save percentage over that stretch.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    59:19
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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 start Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
November 2, 2024
Luukkonen is expected to start on the road against Detroit on Saturday, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
ANALYSIS
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Rough night against Florida
GBuffalo Sabres
October 29, 2024
Luukkonen stopped 26 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to start Monday
GBuffalo Sabres
October 28, 2024
Luukkonen is expected to start in the home crease for Monday's game against Florida, Jourdon LaBarber of the Sabres' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Rings up third straight win
GBuffalo Sabres
October 27, 2024
Luukkonen made 22 saves in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.
ANALYSIS
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Back in net Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
October 26, 2024
Luukkonen will guard the home cage Saturday against the Red Wings, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Projected starter Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
November 2, 2024
Luukkonen might start in Saturday's road game against Detroit, per Paul Hamilton of WGR 550.
ANALYSIS
Devon Levi was in the net for Friday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders, so it would make sense for Luukkonen to get the nod in the second half of the back-to-back. Luukkonen has a 3-3-1 record, 3.31 GAA and .890 save percentage across seven outings in 2024-25. Detroit ranks 24th offensively with 2.70 goals per game.
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