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, 22, to be their No. 1 goalie. At times, they deemed veteran journeyman Eric Comrie a better option.
On the other hand, Luukkonen’s dynamic play after earning the starting job last season forced the Sabres to make a lucrative long-term commitment.
Levi, a youngster general manager Kevyn Adams acquired in the Sam Reinhart trade three years ago on Wednesday, is still in the Sabres’ plans and expected to start the upcoming season in the NHL.
But Luukkonen, who was drafted by Adams’ predecessor, Jason Botterill, has become the guy, giving the Sabres their best goaltending since Ryan Miller left in 2014.
Luukkonen, 25, emerged as the Sabres’ backbone and MVP last season, compiling a 27-22-4 record with a 2.57 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and five shutouts in 54 games.
He seized the top job in the fall, outplaying Levi and Comrie, and never relinquished it.
From Dec. 30 until the end of the campaign, Luukkonen ranked among the NHL’s elite goalies, registering a 21-14-2 mark with a 2.30 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and four shutouts in 37 games.
Only Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy played more games during that stretch. Luukkonen’s shutout total tied for the league lead over the final three months.
By signing Wednesday, the Sabres avoided arbitration with Luukkonen, who had a hearing scheduled for Monday, according to Puckpedia.com.
Center Peyton Krebs is now Buffalo’s only unsigned restricted free agent.
The $4.75 million average annual value Luukkonen’s contract carries is tied with winger Alex Tuch for the sixth-highest on the Sabres.
The Sabres have $8,449,484 of salary cap space, according to PuckPedia.
That cap room, of course, will be eaten up in the near future when some of the Sabres’ talented young players – Levi and wingers JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn – need new deals.
The Sabres drafted the 6-foot-5, 217-pound Luukkonen in the second round in 2017, 54th overall. He quickly developed into perhaps hockey’s top netminding prospect and was labeled as Buffalo’s goalie of the future. He battled injuries and sometimes struggled in his first four pro seasons.
He has compiled a 47-41-10 record with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage in 100 career NHL games.