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.
Defeats Canucks
GBuffalo Sabres
January 21, 2025
Luukkonen stopped 31 of 33 shots in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Canucks.
ANALYSIS
The Canucks took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period, but the Sabres' new-look top line pulled them ahead in the third. Luukkonen was able to make that lead last and earned his fourth win in his last six outings despite allowing 16 goals over that span. The 25-year-old is now 15-14-4 with a 2.99 GAA and an .897 save percentage over 34 starts this season. The Sabres' road trip continues in Calgary on Thursday.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    57:47
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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
Patrolling crease Tuesday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 21, 2025
Luukkonen (undisclosed) will guard the cage on the road against Vancouver on Tuesday, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Unlikely to play Monday
GBuffalo Sabres
Undisclosed
January 19, 2025
Luukkonen (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Monday's road game against Seattle, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Outplayed in all facets Friday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 17, 2025
Luukkonen stopped 14 of 18 shots in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.
ANALYSIS
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Tending twine Friday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 17, 2025
Luukkonen was the first goaltender off the ice at morning skate and will defend the home crease versus Pittsburgh on Friday, per Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff.
ANALYSIS
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Stops 35 shots in win
GBuffalo Sabres
January 15, 2025
Luukkonen stopped 35 of 37 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Hurricanes.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Facing Vancouver?
GBuffalo Sabres
January 21, 2025
Luukkonen was in the starter's net at Tuesday's morning skate, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports, indicating he'll defend the road crease versus the Canucks.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen has lost two of his last three starts, allowing 11 goals during that stretch. The Finnish netminder has a modest 3-2-1 record, .886 save percentage and 3.32 GAA through six appearances in January. The Canucks are 3-5-3 in their last 11 games.
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