Luukkonen - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Adversity in Rochester helped Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen develop into top NHL goalie

BUFFALO – It’s hardly surprising Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen established himself as one of the NHL’s elite starters down the stretch last season. As a teenager, he emerged as a dynamic prospect, earning the label as the Sabres’ goalie of the future.

The Finn was expected to develop into a special talent.

No one, however, likely anticipated his path to becoming the Sabres’ No. 1 netminder would be fraught with so much adversity.... Read the full article

Ducks claim goalie James Reimer off waivers from Sabres

James Reimer won’t be going to the Rochester Americans. The Anaheim Ducks on Monday claimed the veteran goalie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres signed Reimer to a one-year, one-way contract worth $1 million – a significant salary for a player they hoped to assign to the minors – to provide insurance. In Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 25, and Devon Levi, 22, the Sabres have one of the league’s youngest goalie tandems.

Reimer, 36, served ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Alex Tuch motivated after down season: ‘I know I need to be better’

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch always starts with himself. The Sabres winger knows he underperformed last season, failing to meet high expectations following his career year. Then he looks at the entire team and challenges everyone to be better.

The disappointment he experienced last season – his own struggles and the Sabres’ lackluster 84-point finish – drives him.

“First and foremost, I know I need to be better,” Tuch said last month after training camp opened ... Read the full article

Devon Levi happy to compete with UPL, sharp as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres goalie Devon Levi has been a workhorse, starting game after game.

At Northeastern, Levi played 89 percent of the Huskies’ games. After turning pro late in 2022-23, he started seven of the Sabres’ final eight contests and the first four last season before suffering an injury.

When Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen seized the No. 1 job late last fall, the Sabres assigned Levi to the Rochester Americans to play regularly, occasionally recalling ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka scores hat trick, shows star qualities as Sabres throttle Penguins

BUFFALO – Let’s temper any excitement over the Sabres’ 7-3 win and winger JJ Peterka’s hat trick in Saturday’s preseason opener by noting the Pittsburgh Penguins brought their B or C squad to KeyBank Center.

The Sabres, meanwhile, dressed what resembled a regular-season lineup featuring perhaps their top two lines and No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

An emphatic victory was almost expected. Following a slow start, the Sabres began annihilating the visitors, scoring five times ... Read the full article

Sabres preseason: Buffalo to dress most of regulars, give Jiri Kulich first chance

BUFFALO – When coach Lindy Ruff said most of the Sabres’ regulars would dress for the preseason opener, he wasn’t kidding.

Tonight’s roster resembles a regular-season lineup, with perhaps the entire first and second lines playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center.

Assistant coach Seth Appert said No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start and go the distance.

While the lineup mostly features established talent, rookie winger Jiri Kulich will receive his first action ... Read the full article

Former Sabres quickly found work as free agents this summer

In past offseasons, it sometimes took former Buffalo Sabres time to find work. Some went overseas or returned to the minors. Some never played in the NHL again.

But earlier this month, seven players from the 2023-24 squad quickly signed NHL contracts as free agents. Some updates are below.

– Winger Jeff Skinner signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

The Sabres, of course, bought out the final three seasons of Skinner’s ... Read the full article

Sabres make big commitment to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with hefty five-year contract

Barely nine months ago, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s future with the Buffalo Sabres seemed in doubt.

When goalie Devon Levi arrived from college late in 2022-23, the Finn became a spare part. After watching the final seven games that season, he backed up or was scratched for the first six contests of 2023-24.

So on one hand, yes, the five-year, $23.75 million contract Luukkonen signed on Wednesday is a bit surprising. The Sabres clearly wanted Levi, ... Read the full article

Sabres agree to two-year contract with Beck Malenstyn, avoid arbitration

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday avoided arbitration with winger Beck Malenstyn, agreeing to terms with the newcomer on a two-year contract worth $1.35 million per season.

The Sabres now have two unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who also filed for arbitration, and center Peyton Krebs.

They acquired Malenstyn, 26, from the Washington Capitals on June 29 in exchange for the 43rd overall pick at the NHL Draft.... Read the full article

After strong campaign, Sabres re-sign Henri Jokiharju to one-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed defenseman Henri Jokiharju to a one-year, $3.1 million contract.

Jokiharju, 25, can become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Sabres now have three unsigned restricted free agents: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, center Peyton Krebs and winger Beck Malenstyn.

Luukkonen and Malenstyn on Friday filed for salary arbitration. If a player files, a contract can still be worked out. Hearings run from July 20 to Aug. 4.... Read the full article