Buffalo Sabers Sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to 5-Year Deal – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

The Buffalo Sabers have announced that they have signed goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.75 million.

Luukkonen took a big step in his development last season and took over as the Sabres' starting goalkeeper. After uncertainty over his position with the club, Luukkonen emerged as their best option and played 54 games for the club last season.

Luukkonen's Breakout Year

At the start of the 2023–24 season, Luukkonen was expected to become the club's third choice goalkeeper as they took over the top two spots in Devon Levi and Eric Comrie, but midway through the season, Luukkonen took over the starting job. .

“We really like the position we're in with UPL and Devon Levi are young, goaltending, guys that we think will continue to grow and get better, extremely talented, hard workers, and character people,” said general manager Kevyn Adams.

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In his 54 games, Luukkonen posted a 27-22-4 record and had a save percentage (SV%) of .910. Considering the steps the Sabers have taken back and the defensive struggles the team has had, being above the league average is an incredible season for the 25-year-old netminder.

With the five-year extension, the Sabers and Luukkonen avoided arbitration, which was scheduled for July 29. Having the two sides meet and agree on a deal gives Luukkonen security, rather than a one- or two-year deal without arbitration, and gives the Sabers some stability in net while they figure out their next steps.

The Future of the Crease in Buffalo

The aforementioned Levi is still a goalie of the future in the Sabers organization. Locking up Luukkonen for five years gives Levi time to prove himself as the elite goaltender he plans to be, and if that happens sooner rather than later, the $4.75 million cap hit is still low enough to be part of a solid team. tandem.

Luukkonen's season has given the Sabers confidence in his game. With him as the starter, the Sabers have options at their backup position, including Levi, who hopes to be in the NHL full time next season, but also recently signed James Reimer.

From January 1, 2024, until the end of the season, Luukkonen was one of the best forwards in the NHL statistically. Through 36 games in that span, Luukkonen had a .919 SV% and a goals against average of 2.31. While the late start to the season wasn't enough to garner votes for the Vezina Trophy, if he played that way over the course of a full season, he would be on some ballots.

The Sabers are currently looking to take a step into the playoffs as they recently extended their league's longest 13th consecutive season without postseason hockey. For Luukkonen to emerge as a true starter is huge for them, and if he can continue his outstanding performances, he will scratch one of the necessary things to take that step.