Buffalo Sabres sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to five-year, $23.7 million extension

The Buffalo Sabres announced they’ve come to terms with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, signing the 25-year-old goaltender to a five-year, $23.75 million contract.

Luukkonen’s extension carries a $4.75 million cap hit through 2028-29. He’s coming off a career best season, after posting a 27-22-4 record, along with a 2.57 goals against average and .910 save percentage. Luukkonen recorded five shutouts, finishing the year tied for second in the NHL.

The native of Espoo, Finland was originally a 2017 second-round pick of the Sabres, 54th overall, and has since appeared in 100 NHL games for Buffalo. Luukkonen’s 54 appearances last season were 22 more than his previous season high.

Heading into next season, Luukkonen will look to once again lock down the starter’s net for the Sabres as this is the second goaltender general manager Kevyn Adams has signed this summer. Adams brought in veteran James Reimer on a one-year, $1 million contract. The 36-year-old Reimer appeared in 25 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings, tallying a 11-8-2 record. He’ll look to do his best to win the backup role with the Sabres, a team he’s quite familiar with from his six seasons with their rival Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Sabres also have Devon Levi signed for next season at a $925,000 cap hit. The 22-year-old split last season between the Sabres and their American Hockey League affiliate Rochester Americans. Levi went 10-8-2 in his 23 appearances with Buffalo and will be looking to push Reimer down the depth chart come training camp.

Buffalo finished the 2023-24 season ranked 11th in the league in goals-against per game and will look to improve defensively next season.

As for what’s ahead, the offseason continues for Adams and the Sabres, who have just over $8 million in cap space remaining. With Luukkonen’s extension off the to-do list, restricted free-agent Peyton Krebs’ new deal will be up next in Buffalo.