Buffalo Sabres Bet Big on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 5-Yr Contract
The Buffalo Sabres have secured their goaltending future by agreeing to terms with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on a five-year contract,
The Buffalo Sabres have secured their goaltending future by agreeing to terms with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on a five-year contract, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $4.75 million. The team announced the deal on Wednesday, highlighting Luukkonen’s impressive performance in the previous season where he set career highs in games played (54), wins (27), and shutouts (5). These stats marked the most wins and shutouts by a Sabres goaltender in a season since the days of Ryan Miller.
Selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2017 draft, Luukkonen stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 217 pounds. Over the past three seasons, he has fluctuated between the Sabres and the minors, amassing a combined record of 20-19-6 for Buffalo. His performance last season was a standout, and this new contract indicates the organization’s faith in his potential moving forward.
“We really like the position we’re in with having UPL and Devon Levi as still young, developing goaltenders, guys we think are going to continue to grow and get better, that are extremely talented, hard-working, and character people,” GM Kevyn Adams said.
