Buffalo Sabres: 3 areas where Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen must improve

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Despite setbacks, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the frontrunner to be the Buffalo Sabres starting goaltender in the 2022-23 season

No one on the Buffalo Sabres suffered through a more star-crossed season than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He appeared in nine games with the Sabres last year and recorded some stellar outings, although he also had his struggles in the net.

Heading down to Rochester, inconsistency marred Luukkonen’s game, but he also logged a career-best 0.900 save percentage in 35 contests. Contrast this number with previous seasons, in which his save percentage never rose higher than 0.888. However, he won just 15 of those 35 outings at the AHL level and just two of nine during his brief stint with the Buffalo Sabres.

Luukkonen figures to be in the running to open the season as the starting goaltender, assuming he re-signs with the organization. But if he wants to be the long-term answer, here are three areas of improvement for the netminder.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 27: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres makes the second period save against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 27, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen must improve – Area #1: Consistency

Consistency is an obvious issue with Luukkonen. He has a combined career record of 29-31-13, which is not quite what you are looking for in a goaltender hopping into the net of a team looking to contend next season.

Regardless of whether Luukkonen becomes the top man in the net next season, the Sabres need to either talk Craig Anderson into returning for a swan song or sign a goalie in free agency. Many fans like Malcolm Subban, but he is not an ideal backup to a potentially struggling starter. Subban is better suited to be either a high-end AHL-level goaltender or a backup for a team with an upper-echelon goalie.

Luukkonen does not fit the latter description. It’s great that Kevyn Adams at least implied (actions speak louder) he wants Luukkonen or Devon Levi to have the first crack at netminder. In 2022-23, that would go to Luukkonen since Levi decided to return to school.

Expect Luukkonen to have his chance. But if he can’t get consistent, he will be a washout next season.

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