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Buffalo Sabres: Pros and cons of a Levi-Luukkonen tandem

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (27), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) and right wing Kyle Okposo (21) celebrate win against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (27), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) and right wing Kyle Okposo (21) celebrate win against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on against the Washington Capitals during the second period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Cons

Inexperience is probably the one that looms in everyone’s mind, as these two have only started 52 NHL games. The Buffalo Sabres are figuring to contend for the playoffs in 2023-24, so going with so much inexperience at the position is a risk.

Sure, this has worked with the Dahlin-Samuelsson pairing (though the former had a few years under his belt) and the Kid Line, but remember, the last two seasons were developmental years. They could have gone with youth and no one would have batted an eye last season, but that’s not the case in 2023-24.

Further, we have no idea whether the duo can withstand the rigors of a full NHL season. While Luukkonen was in Buffalo from November until April, basically a full season, he ultimately became part of a three, and when Levi arrived, a four-goalie rotation. The slate of games he actually played in wasn’t enough for someone who would likely serve as a 1B in 2023-24.

So while it would be great to see the Sabres believe the tandem can handle a full season, there are no guarantees. In a year when everyone will expect playoffs, this is a massive risk.

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