Buffalo Sabres cannot give up on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

When you look at Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s numbers, they have been absolutely terrible, that’s the given. 

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has had rough outing after rough outing for the Buffalo Sabres. In four starts, he is 1-2-1 with a 4.47 GAA and a save percentage of just 0.846. Yes, the Devon Levi chants are alive and well among the Sabres faithful, and while the Northeastern product’s numbers aren’t as good this season, they’re still elite, with a 2.11 GAA and 0.936 save percentage.

But Luukkonen has just 17 games of NHL experience, so there is no way you can just throw him into the muck pile of ill-fated Sabres goaltenders so quickly. Sure, if this trend continues, then by all means, leave the option open. But it’s premature to rush to judgment after just 17 outings, despite his bad numbers.

In fact, the Sabres may be smarter to play Luukkonen even more. Eric Comrie is injured and there is no real timetable on his return. Craig Anderson is likely finished following the season, and we know Malcolm Subban is, at best, a backup in the NHL.

Buffalo Sabres need an extensive sample size from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Just as I’ve been saying all season, W’s and L’s should not be relevant as a measuring stick for overall progress. Luukkonen should see extensive playing time from now until well into the new year if Comrie’s injury keeps him out for a while. And we also need to look at who Luukkonen has played: Toronto, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Colorado. 

I wouldn’t even wish that lineup on an inexperienced goaltender forced to see time in the net for the Maple Leafs. Seriously, I wouldn’t. Given Luukkonen’s then 13 games of NHL action, I certainly wouldn’t have let him anywhere near the above teams, though he displayed a remarkable outing against the Blues.

And no, it hasn’t all been on Luukkonen. The Sabres need to stay out of the box more and they also need to stop being so inconsistent defensively. Yet, Luukkonen also needs to see that adversity as an opportunity to rise to the occasion, save a few would-be goals, and keep the Buffalo Sabres in the best position possible to win the game.

Maybe he will grow into at least a serviceable NHL goaltender. But we won’t know this if we give up on the kid after just 17 outings. Let’s see if he progresses in December, and really if he’s in the Queen City for an extended period. Extended as in, throughout the season, which will allow us to make a better informed judgment.

Article Source: Mike Harrington: Sabres have a mess in goal and need to find out more about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen by Mike Harrington 

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