Sabres’ Crowded Crease Creating More Questions Than Answers - Is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen the Odd Man Out?
The Buffalo Sabres have been walking a tightrope in the crease this season, juggling a three-goalie rotation that’s starting to look more like a patchwork than a plan. Since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returned to the lineup a few weeks ago, the team has rotated between Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis - but not with any clear structure. Instead, it’s been a hot-hand approach: ride whoever’s playing well, then pivot at the first sign of trouble.
The problem? That kind of rotation can leave goalies sitting cold for long stretches, and when they do finally get the nod, rust becomes a real factor.
Case in point: Alex Lyon’s recent outing against the Devils, where he gave up five goals after nearly two weeks without game action. That’s not just a bad game - that’s a symptom of a system that isn’t setting its goalies up to succeed.
The Sabres’ logjam in net isn’t a new issue, but it’s becoming harder to ignore. And with trade chatter heating up, all signs are pointing toward Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the name to watch.
During a recent appearance on The FAN Hockey Show, insider Elliotte Friedman highlighted Luukkonen as a potential trade candidate. According to Friedman, Luukkonen has expressed a desire for more playing time - something that’s tough to guarantee in a three-goalie setup.
He’s had flashes of strong play, but also some tough nights, including a rough outing against the Penguins that featured a soft goal he’d definitely want back. That’s the performance Friedman was referencing, recorded just days before Luukkonen bounced back with a solid showing against the Jets, stopping 23 of 24 shots.
That kind of bounce-back effort is exactly why Luukkonen still holds value. When he’s on, he can steal games.
He’s shown he has the tools to be an NHL difference-maker - size, athleticism, and flashes of big-save ability. But inconsistency and a history of injuries have made it tough for Buffalo to fully commit.
He missed significant time during training camp and again early in the regular season. Those gaps have only added to the uncertainty around his long-term fit in Buffalo.
Still, if you’re looking at the Sabres’ goalie trio from a trade-value perspective, Luukkonen is the most logical piece to move. Colten Ellis has been impressive early on, but he’s still unproven at the NHL level. Alex Lyon, meanwhile, is a dependable backup - a guy you trust to give you solid minutes but probably not the long-term starter you build around.
And then there’s Devon Levi.
The Sabres have been high on Levi since bringing him into the fold, and clearing the runway for him to compete for the starting job is a long-term priority. But with Luukkonen under contract for four more years after this season, his presence on the roster blocks that path. Trading Luukkonen not only solves the three-goalie logjam - it potentially accelerates Levi’s development by giving him a real shot to win the job in training camp next year.
Of course, just because it makes sense doesn’t mean it’s happening. Despite Luukkonen’s name surfacing in trade rumors, there’s no indication the Sabres are actively shopping him. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently noted that while Luukkonen is being talked about around the league, Buffalo’s front office doesn’t appear to be in a rush to make a move.
So where does that leave things?
Right now, the Sabres are stuck in a holding pattern. They’ve got three goalies, not enough starts to go around, and a young netminder in Levi waiting in the wings. Until a deal is made, the speculation will continue - and so will the questions about how long this three-headed goalie monster can last without dragging the team down.