The Buffalo Sabres have received lackluster goaltending during the early stages of the 2026-27 season, which has led to renewed speculation about a potential blockbuster trade for the Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck and raised questions about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's future with the team.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was asked Wednesday about the potential impact on UPL to hear his name being floated around as a trade candidate while still being asked to play a key role for Buffalo.
"He understands that. He's aware of it obviously. He's had his ups and downs, and I think we've seen some good hockey out of him even through it. It's part of what you have to deal with. I don't know sometimes where half the crap comes from. Not that I go looking for it, but I'm made aware of some of the stuff that's out there. In today's game, you're gonna deal with some of that."Sabres HC on UPL
Luukkonen, who posted a .910 save percentage across 35 appearances for the Sabres last season, has compiled an .860 mark through his first seven outings for 2026-27.
Consistency has long been the 27-year-old goalie's biggest issue, and it's left real questions about whether the franchise can depend on him as its top option between the pipes during a period where its trying to emerge as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
That's why the Hellebuyck speculation has been so loud over the past handful of months. It was rumored Buffalo and Winnipeg were close to hammering out an agreement ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft in late June, but nothing was ever finalized.
Now, with UPL and Colten Ellis struggling out of the gates while Alex Lyon works his way back from injury, the Hellebuyck buzz has picked back up.
Meanwhile, it's been reported Luukkonen added the Jets to his no-trade list, which could require another team (such as the New York Rangers after Igor Shesterkin's season-ending injury) to become involved if Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen decides to embark on a crease makeover.
Kekalainen also downplayed the outside noise on Tuesday, though.
UPL's performance trending in a positive direction for the Sabres in recent games
Luukkonen was fighting the puck early in the campaign, registering an unsightly .782 SV% in his first three starts, but he's started to play better lately. He's helped guide Buffalo to a 2-0-2 record over his last four outings with an .897 SV%.
Although it's far from perfect, it at least represents a step or two in the right direction as the Sabres keep looking for answers between the crease.
After a strong first start, Ellis faltered against the Utah Mammoth and was pulled midway through a comeback win over the Florida Panthers after allowing a couple questionable goals. He hasn't been called on since that early exit.
Lyon recently suffered a setback in his recovery from an upper-body injury, which leaves his status for the upcoming road trip uncertain. After Wednesday's battle with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres don't play at home again until Nov. 4 against the Ottawa Senators.
So, barring a trade, Buffalo will probably keep leaning on UPL quite heavily in the short term. He's handled the lead role well at times, most notably in 2023-24 when he finished with a .910 SV% in 54 games, but maintaining that level has proved elusive.
If goaltending was the only issue, the Sabres would be in decent shape, but they've also struggled mightily on special teams so far. Both the power play and penalty kill have been failing at far too high of a rate, leaving the club's strong 5-on-5 play to pick up the pieces.
In some respects, Buffalo is fortunate to hold a 4-3-2 record, particularly since it's also been falling behind often, thus forcing comebacks to secure points.
Ruff, Luukkonen and Co. will keep searching for more well-rounded performances as the trade rumors continue to swirl around the organization.
Add us as a preferred source on Google