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Top 3 concerns facing the Buffalo Sabres goaltenders in 2022

By Sion Fawkes

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 6: Eric Comrie #1 of the Winnipeg Jets watches a replay after letting in a goal while making his NHL debut during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 6, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 6: Eric Comrie #1 of the Winnipeg Jets watches a replay after letting in a goal while making his NHL debut during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 6, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
Apr 23, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) looks for the puck during the third period against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Luukkonen avoid injury and enjoy a consistent 2022-23 campaign?

The Buffalo Sabres clearly showed faith in Luukkonen after they re-signed him to a two-year deal. As we know, Luukkonen has not been consistent in the net down in Rochester, with a save percentage of just 0.900 and a 3.28 GAA.

Further, for a guy who the Sabres and the fan base once envisioned as a franchise goaltender, Luukkonen has not shown the type of improvement or durability of evolving into such a player. However, his saving grace has been the ability to play well in short NHL stints, as he showed last season with a 0.917 save percentage and 2.74 GAA.

Though it was a nine-game stint before the injury bug hit, Luukkonen showed he can at least play well at the NHL level. And this season, he could show more consistency since he knows Devon Levi and perhaps Erik Portillo will be entering the system for 2023-24.

While durability is always a toss-up for most hockey players, expect to see more urgency from Luukkonen this season as he looks to prove capable of holding off potential newcomers like Levi. Now that it’s crunch time, look for Luukkonen to enjoy a better statistical campaign.

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