Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

26-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.
Team struggles to provide support
GBuffalo Sabres
March 22, 2025
Luukkonen stopped 17 of 20 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Wild on Saturday. The fourth goal was an empty-netter
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen has been at the mercy of defensive breakdowns by the Sabres, a squad struggling with a 27-35-6 record. The team is 3-7-1 in its past 11, and UPL was between the pipes for all three victories. He's solid, but this situation is horrible for netminders, and Luukkonen will be left holding the proverbial bag most nights. Fantasy managers will likely need to pick another netminder as the season ends -- he's too risky for poolies at this stage.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    57:25
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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
Starting in Minnesota
GBuffalo Sabres
March 22, 2025
Luukkonen will guard the road net Saturday against the Wild, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Concedes two goals in win
GBuffalo Sabres
March 18, 2025
Luukkonen saved 17 of 19 shots on goal in Monday's 3-2 overtime win against Boston.
ANALYSIS
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Starting in Boston
GBuffalo Sabres
March 17, 2025
Luukkonen will tend the road twine Monday against the Bruins, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
ANALYSIS
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Second win in last three games
GBuffalo Sabres
March 15, 2025
Luukkonen made 16 saves in a 4-3 shootout win over the Golden Knights on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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Looking to bounce back Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
March 15, 2025
Luukkonen will get the home start Saturday against Vegas, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Operating in starter's net
GBuffalo Sabres
March 17, 2025
Luukkonen was in the starter's crease during Monday's morning skate, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports, indicating that he'll likely start on the road against Boston.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen hasn't been particularly sharp since the start of March, going 2-5-0 with a 4.19 GAA and .854 save percentage over seven starts. He started against the Bruins at home Jan. 28 and earned the win while turning aside 25 of 27 shots, good for a .926 save percentage.
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