Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

26-Year-Old GoalieG
Buffalo Sabres
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After finally establishing himself at the NHL level in 2023-24, Luukkonen took a massive step back in 2024-25 with a 24-24-5 record, a 3.20 GAA and an .887 save percentage over 55 games. By the end of the season, Luukkonen lost the No. 1 job to James Reimer, whose status for 2025-26 remains up in the air. Luukkonen will be 26 years old for much of next season, so he should be in his prime, but he needs a few things to go right. The Sabres had a strong offense but a poor defense, though Luukkonen didn't do much to help cover the defense's errors. He can't afford a slow start -- if he struggles, it could open the door for Devon Levi to get a longer look in the NHL after spending most of last season with AHL Rochester. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a five-year, $23.75 million contract with the Sabres in July of 2024.
Short stick in tight contest
GBuffalo Sabres
January 19, 2026
Luukkonen made 26 saves on 28 shots in a 2-1 loss to Carolina on Monday.
ANALYSIS
It was a tight contest; the game was tied 1-1 until early in the third period. Luukkonen has lost two straight games to the hands of the Wild and Hurricanes, but since Christmas, he is 5-2-1 in eight starts (21 goals allowed). Luukkonen is 10-7-2 with a 2.69 GAA and .903 save percentage in 19 games (18 starts) this season.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    57:41
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
2018
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.
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 face Carolina
GBuffalo Sabres
January 19, 2026
Luukkonen is expected to start on the road against Carolina on Monday, per Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.
ANALYSIS
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Comes up short in OT
GBuffalo Sabres
January 18, 2026
Luukkonen stopped 30 shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Wild.
ANALYSIS
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Starting Saturday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 17, 2026
Luukkonen will guard the home cage versus Minnesota on Saturday, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Nabs third straight win
GBuffalo Sabres
January 15, 2026
Luukkonen made 20 saves in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers.
ANALYSIS
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Guarding goal Wednesday
GBuffalo Sabres
January 14, 2026
Luukkonen will protect the home goal versus the Flyers on Wednesday, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Occupies starter's crease
GBuffalo Sabres
January 18, 2026
Luukkonen was in the starter's net during Sunday's practice, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports, which could put him on track to start Monday's road matchup against Carolina.
ANALYSIS
Luukkonen made 30 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to Minnesota on Saturday. However, he has gone 6-1-1 in his last eight outings, stopping 223 of the 243 shots he has faced during that span.
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