The Buffalo Sabres are heading towards a significant decision in their crease. The team has been operating with three goaltenders on their active roster, but this crowded situation is unlikely to last much longer. General Manager Kevyn Adams is expected to make moves, with rising speculation that netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be traded.
Montreal and Edmonton Emerge as Suitors for Luukkonen
According to multiple reports, the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers have surfaced as potential trading partners for the Sabres. Both franchises are said to be closely monitoring the 25-year-old Finnish goalie's situation in Buffalo. The interest appears to be serious, setting the stage for a possible deal around the NHL Draft or in the off-season.
NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently commented on the rumours. "This may be something to look at around the draft... and this isn't the first time UPL's name has come up," Pagnotta stated. He added, "But with what's going on in Buffalo, with who they've got right now, with [Devon] Levi coming up, I think there's an appetite to seriously look at moving him again."
Luukkonen's Rollercoaster Performance and Contract
Luukkonen's journey has been a mix of promise and inconsistency. After a strong 2023-24 season where he posted a 2.57 goals-against average (GAA) and a .910 save percentage, he earned a substantial contract extension. The Sabres signed him to a deal worth $23.75 million that runs through the 2028-29 season, signalling their belief in his potential as a rising star.
However, the current 2025-26 campaign has been challenging. After missing several games early due to injury, his performance has dipped. In eight appearances (seven starts), his stats have fallen to a 2.51 GAA and a .899 save percentage. Over the past two seasons combined, his save percentage sits at .888, placing him near the bottom among active NHL goalies. This statistical decline is a key factor leading analysts to believe a trade could benefit both the player and the Sabres, creating a clearer opportunity for other goaltenders like Devon Levi.
Resolving the Three-Goalie Logjam in Buffalo
The core issue for GM Kevyn Adams is an overcrowded goalie room. The roster currently features Luukkonen, veteran Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis. This trio creates a management and development challenge. Reports indicate that Adams will likely need to make at least one, and probably two, goalie moves before the start of next season to clear this congestion and define the team's long-term plan in net.
Moving Luukkonen, given his recent contract and the interest from other teams, represents the most logical path to a major shakeup. A trade would not only address the roster logjam but could also bring back assets to bolster other areas of the Sabres' lineup. For clubs like Montreal or Edmonton, acquiring a young goalie with proven flashes of high-level ability represents a calculated gamble.
As the off-season approaches, all eyes will be on Buffalo's front office. The decision regarding Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be a defining moment for the franchise's direction between the pipes.
