Buffalo Sabres: Is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen their ‘best hope’ at goaltender?

The Hockey News came out with a controversial take on the Buffalo Sabres goaltending situation earlier today. Let’s take a look at it. 

Okay, before I start this article, I want to make it clear that I am attacking only a portion of the article entitled, NHL goalie carousel: Many teams make changes for 2022-23 by Ian Kennedy. I am not attacking the publication nor the author itself as I break down their controversial take on the Buffalo Sabres goaltending situation.

So, what did Kennedy’s breakdown entail regarding the Sabres situation at goaltender? Here is a quick quote:

"“Perhaps their best hope at stable and healthy goaltending this season will be prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who could steal the backup or starters job at any moment.” – Ian Kennedy via The Hockey News."

I’m sure we can all see what’s wrong with this statement. Luukkonen couldn’t even stabilize the Rochester Americans goaltending last season let alone stay healthy. And this came after returning from an injury sustained in Buffalo.

At the present moment, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is not the Buffalo Sabres best hope at goaltender in 2022-23.

While I am not ruling out the possibility of Luukkonen earning a spot on the active roster, which would entail three goaltenders at the NHL level, a rarity, I’ll admit, it is still highly likely Luukkonen starts the season in Rochester. The latter take is the consensus throughout the Buffalo sports media.

And okay, I will admit it: Could Luukkonen steal the job and bring stability to the position? He could….and Anders Bjork could have a monster training camp and supplant either Alex Tuch or Jeff Skinner on the first line – sarcasm, by the way. 

Anything could happen in training camp. But the likelihood of this occurring is slim to none and Slim just left town.

Who is the Sabres best hope at goaltender in 2022-23?

If the Buffalo Sabres are going to win games this year, Eric Comrie is the best hope. I will praise Ian Kennedy in that same article when he said this:

"“Comrie proved last year in Winnipeg he could be a reliable backup and might fight for consistent starts in Buffalo.” – Ian Kennedy, via The Hockey News."

The key phrase is this: Might fight. Because there will be a fight as to who will get the bulk of the starts. Some fans will say Craig Anderson, but others, myself included, will say Comrie. And a few will say Luukkonen.

But if Comrie can make a successful transition from backup to at least a part-time starter in 2021-22, the Sabres will have, at worst, a decent bridge at goaltender until Devon Levi or even Erik Portillo take charge. Or, Comrie could play so well that he is the guy moving forward. He is only 27, just two years older than Ryan Miller was during his first season as a starting goaltender.

Article Source:

NHL goalie carousel: Many teams make changes for 2022-23 by Ian Kennedy