The Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million, the team announced on Wednesday.
Luukkonen, a restricted free agent, earned the Sabres’ starting goaltender position and delivered a strong performance in the 2023-24 season. He posted a record of 27-22-4 with a .910 save percentage and five shutouts over 54 games, significantly increasing his playing time compared to the previous season.
In the 2022-23 season, Luukkonen had a record of 17-11-4 and a save percentage of .892. This latest contract reflects his successful 2023-24 campaign, which was his fourth year with the Sabres after being drafted 54th overall in 2017.
Initially seen as the future goaltender for Buffalo, Luukkonen faced inconsistency in his early years except for a notable performance in a nine-game stretch during the 2021-22 season. The Sabres had focused on developing Devon Levi, acquired through trade, but Luukkonen’s improved play and Levi’s struggles led to more opportunities for Luukkonen this past season.
Luukkonen’s performance before January 2024 was underwhelming, with a save percentage of .892 over 18 games. However, he excelled from January 6 to his final appearance on April 13, achieving a .919 save percentage over 36 games.
In related moves, the Sabres signed veteran goaltender James Reimer to a one-year, $1 million contract on July 2. Levi, who will be 23 in December, is under contract for $925,000 for the 2024-25 season before he can become a restricted free agent.
