Sabres announce goaltending contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres currently have the lengthiest postseason drought of any NHL club, but they're hoping that they'll soon be on the rise and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. 

And to that end, they've secured a key young piece of their squad for the foreseeable future. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has agreed to a five-year contract that carries an AAV of $4.75 million. 

“We really like the position we’re in with having UPL and Devon Levi as still young, developing goaltenders, guys we think are going to continue to grow and get better, that are extremely talented, hard-working, and character people,” general manager Kevyn Adams said.

Luukkonen racked up career-highs last season with 54 games played and 27 victories, something he intends on building on heading into the fall.

 “I think that was really good for me and it’s good learning for me,” he said after the season. “I want to be a starting goalie in this league. I feel like I can be a good starting goalie in this league. Kind of going through that this year, it helped me a lot. It helped my confidence.

“I feel like physically and mentally, I was really as fresh as I can be and kind of went through it without any difficulty, so I think that gives me confidence for next year too.”

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