Sabres GM sends clear message on an Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen trade
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekäläinen publicly backed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as Connor Hellebuyck trade chatter keeps growing in Buffalo.
Jarmo Kekäläinen made his stance on the Sabres crease clear on Tuesday morning.
Speaking on WGR 550, the Buffalo general manager said the organization has real faith in its goalies and sees Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as a key piece of the long-term plan.
The comments landed right in the middle of the Hellebuyck chatter.
Buffalo has been linked to Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck, and Luukkonen keeps getting dragged into those rumors.
Kekäläinen could not talk about another club's player, so he kept things general and stuck to the goalies he already has.
"We believe in our goaltending…Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a really good goaltender who has a lot to give to the Buffalo Sabres and will be a big part of our future”
- Jarmo Kekäläinen
- Jarmo Kekäläinen
What Kekäläinen said about the other goalies
He did not stop at Luukkonen.
Kekäläinen pointed to the strong numbers all three goalies posted last season and said Alex Lyon is hurt but close to returning.
Colten Ellis earned praise for his games a year ago, though the GM admitted Ellis has not matched that level yet and expects him to get there.
Luukkonen went 22-9-3 with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 35 games last season while Buffalo ended its 14-season playoff drought.
He is signed through 2028-29 at a $4.75 million cap hit.
Why a trade is not off the table
Before Sabres fans relax, nothing here fully closes the door.
A GM can praise a goalie and still make a call if the price is right, and Kekäläinen did talk in general terms about deals that fall apart when the cost climbs too high.
Winnipeg is another wrinkle. Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have played well early this season, which could make a goalie coming back in a Hellebuyck deal less important to the Jets.
For now, the message out of Buffalo is calm and confident, with Luukkonen firmly in the picture.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Connor Hellebuyck to the Sabres? Reported trade hinges on one key move
Connor Hellebuyck to the Sabres? Reported trade hinges on one key move