Although there have been moments over the past four years where it appeared Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was emerging as a true starter-level NHL talent, he's never been able to sustain peak form over an extended stretch.
The 27-year-old Finland native has also dealt with injury issues since the Sabres selected him in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, which have played a role in the goaltender's inability to firmly secure the top spot on the depth chart.
Catherine Silverman of McKeen's Hockey believes a lesser workload — Buffalo also features Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis on its active roster for a second straight season — may actually be the best path to maximize UPL's impact.
"As last season wore on, though — and in particular, as the postseason progressed — it became clear that he's much better suited to a tandem role than a hefty workload. If he's able to limit his appearances to a healthy split this season, it's possible Buffalo will have finally found the secret sauce to letting him thrive."Catherine Silverman of McKeen's Hockey
Luukkonen's breakthrough came in 2023-24 when he compiled a .910 save percentage across 54 appearances, which led former Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to give the 6-foot-5 netminder a five-year, $23.75 million contract extension that has three seasons remaining.
His performance immediately dropped off a cliff. He posted an unsightly .887 SV% in 55 games in 2024-25, and there were stretches where he was one of the league's worst goalies.
UPL did bounce back last season, finishing with a .909 SV% in 35 games while splitting the crease with Lyon and Ellis. The trio was terrific throughout the regular season, ranking third in team save percentage, but neither Luukkonen nor Lyon could hold down the fort in the playoffs.
That's why the Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors were so prominent for Buffalo over the summer, but the speculation has died down since training camp opened with the Winnipeg Jets seemingly unwilling to drop their sky-high asking price for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.
So, the Sabres appear poised to enter another campaign with the triumvirate of UPL, Lyon and Ellis between the pipes. Getting consistent play from that group, even if they don't crack the top five in cumulative SV% again, is crucial to the club's success.
Luukkonen will likely lead the position in starts. It'll probably only be a slight majority, but that may end up being the best avenue for Buffalo to take anyway. Perhaps less is more for the enigmatic goalie.
Sabres' Colten Ellis showcasing promise during 2026 NHL preseason
Last season, it was Lyon who stepped up for the Sabres while Luukkonen was sidelined by an injury early in the campaign. The journeyman was the team's most valuable player for the first handful of weeks.
If UPL misses any time with injuries in 2026-27, however, don't be surprised if Ellis becomes the goalie thrust into the spotlight.
The 25-year-old Canadian netminder put together a solid rookie season, registering a .903 SV in 16 games. Those numbers are more impressive when you consider he often went a while between starts.
Ellis, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues last October, is now off to a strong start throughout two preseason appearances. He's stopped 19 of the 20 shots he's faced (.950 SV%) and has been particularly effective against close-range attempts.
Lyon is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and, at some point, Buffalo may return to a more traditional two-goaltender setup. So, it's important for the team's front office, led by general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, to get a deeper look at Ellis.
In addition, there's another contract factor in play.
The 2019 third-round pick needs to appear in at least 13 games this season in order to remain a restricted free agent for Buffalo next offseason. If he fails to reach that threshold, he'll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent under the Group 6 UFA rule.
So, the Sabres will probably prefer for him to reach that number well before the stretch run of the regular season, when the decision about who starts must be based solely on current form, especially if the Blue and Gold are caught up in a tight playoff race.
One last point: It's possible, albeit unlikely, Ellis emerges as Buffalo's de facto starter this season.
That doesn't mean he's going to start 60-plus games, but it's not out of the realm of possibility he establishes himself as the team's best option in the crease, especially if UPL's play takes another downturn.
Of course, the entire conversation about the Sabres' goaltending situation can change in the blink of an eye if a blockbuster Hellebuyck trade brings the superstar to Western New York.
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