The Buffalo Sabres find themselves in a familiar, yet unenviable, position: at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Following a recent 6-2 home loss to the Calgary Flames, a team sitting at 32nd place overall, the pressure for change is mounting. As the Sabres face the prospect of potentially extending their playoff drought to a staggering 15 seasons, trade rumors are swirling around the roster, with goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's name now prominently featured.
Luukkonen, 26, is in the second year of a five-year, $23.75 million contract extension he signed in 2024. However, an injury, inconsistent performance, and the emergence of Colton Ellis have led to speculation about his future in Buffalo. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman noted that the Sabres "really like Ellis," adding that Luukkonen is "going to be an interesting one to watch". This logjam of goaltenders, including Alex Lyon and prospect Devon Levi, may force General Manager Kevyn Adams to make a move to alleviate the crowded crease.
Here are three teams that could be potential destinations for Luukkonen:
1. Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers' need for goaltending help has been a recurring theme for years. Despite periods of strong play, inconsistencies in net have plagued their Stanley Cup aspirations. Stuart Skinner has underperformed, and Calvin Pickard's numbers have been subpar, highlighting the urgency for an upgrade. Luukkonen could represent an affordable option for the Oilers, providing a change of scenery could revitalize his game.
2. Montreal Canadiens: While the Canadiens' long-term plan appears to revolve around young netminders, their current struggles in goal could prompt them to seek a more established presence. A veteran like Luukkonen could provide stability and mentor their younger goalies.
3. Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks are trying to stay competitive, but their season is in jeopardy without Thatcher Demko. The addition of Luukkonen could provide a needed boost and help them stay in the playoff race.
It's worth noting that the Winnipeg Jets recently lost Connor Hellebuyck to a knee injury, sidelining him for 4-6 weeks. While they may initially rely on Eric Comrie, the Jets could explore acquiring Luukkonen if Comrie falters.
Luukkonen's recent performance has been underwhelming, with a 2.91 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage in three starts. However, it's possible that these numbers are a reflection of the Sabres' overall struggles rather than an accurate representation of his capabilities. A change of scenery and a fresh start could unlock the potential that made him a second-round pick in 2017.
The Sabres' goaltending situation is further complicated by the presence of Alex Lyon, who has played well enough to seize the starting role, and the continued development of Devon Levi, a highly touted prospect. With several goalies vying for playing time, a trade seems inevitable to resolve the logjam and provide opportunities for all parties involved.
As the trade deadline approaches, keep an eye on these teams, as well as any others that may be impacted by injuries or underperformance in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, with a fresh start, could be a valuable addition to a team seeking goaltending stability.
