Buffalo Sabres may be forced to trade $24M goalie due to roster concerns
PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
November 20, 2025Â Â (8:16 PM)
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been a star in Buffalo recently, but after a slow start and few appearances this year, they may be forced to trade the goaltender.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to finally end their Stanley Cup Playoffs drought this season, but after a 7-9-4 start to the year, neither the organization or the fans are quite optimistic.
There has been some positions of strength for them this season however, with the biggest being their goaltending, but now, the logjam in net may be forcing them into making a major move.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen becoming trade candidate in Buffalo
This season, incumbent starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has appeared in just four games, and with the duo of Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis taking over, it leaves UPL without a significant role.According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman in his latest written 32 Thoughts, that could lead to a major trade, as UPL believes he deserves a much bigger role in net.
I’ve talked quite a bit about Buffalo’s goalie situation, because there are a lot of bodies. The thing I can see becoming an issue here is if Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen feels the cluttered crease costs him a shot at the Olympics. He’s only played four games. He has to be better, too.
Last season, Luukkonen posted a solid 3.28 GAA and an .881 save percentage playing behind one of the worst teams in the NHL, and at 26-years of age, he could be the answer to a team’s goaltending problems.
This is a Sabres organization that also has Devon Levi waiting in the wings down in the AHL, so a move may need to be made soon, and if Friedman is right, it could mean trading a fan favourite.
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Buffalo Sabres may be forced to trade $24M goalie due to roster concerns
Should the Sabres trade Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen?