Player Discussion Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2017, 54th)

[Sabresfansince1980]

With how volatile the position can be, it'll be interesting to see how he carries over from this stretch into another season. It'll be interesting to see what they wind up doing for a contract and if they learned anything from Ullmark's negotiations.

It will be on UPL to maintain this level or even improve. I don't see weaknesses right now that shooters just need time to get more looks and a better read on him. If he keeps this up until the end of the season and he gets an Ullmark-esque 1 yr deal walking him another year toward UFA status, I just don't know how my therapist will be able to handle our appointments.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

One thing I like about UPL recently is that he doesn't get rattled after letting in a soft one.

He gave up that weak goal in the first minute against EDM and was rock solid after.

I don't know a thing about goalie mechanics but just the way he moves makes him look more confident if that makes sense.. He looks calm, composed when tracking the puck instead of flopping around and being sporadic. You saw that in the shootout also

 

[Satanphonehome]

One thing I like about UPL recently is that he doesn't get rattled after letting in a soft one.

He gave up that weak goal in the first minute against EDM and was rock solid after.

I don't know a thing about goalie mechanics but just the way he moves makes him look more confident if that makes sense.. He looks calm, composed when tracking the puck instead of flopping around and being sporadic. You saw that in the shootout also

He looks very big and very poised in there.

I hesitate to pull this card because it's only been a 20-game stretch and I'm not suggesting he's that good. But his presence since since the calendar turned has reminded me of Carey Price.

 

[Chainshot]

It will be on UPL to maintain this level or even improve. I don't see weaknesses right now that shooters just need time to get more looks and a better read on him. If he keeps this up until the end of the season and he gets an Ullmark-esque 1 yr deal walking him another year toward UFA status, I just don't know how my therapist will be able to handle our appointments.

Yeah, I like his composure and level of calm/control in the crease that lends itself to the team being more settled too. They don't get the yips it seems in part because the goalie is making saves and making them look easier because he's not fully spasming around the crease.

 

[Tatanka]

The biggest difference I notice is the rebound game has improved. He may not be “controlling” them but he is much more aware of where the second shot is coming from and is getting in position to make that stop.

 

[BG82]

Ride him for the last 17 games. Unless the trainers think he's so fatigued that Comrie gives the team a better chance of winning... it's UPL all the way.

Absolutely, I fully expect UPL starting pretty much every night until we "officially" eliminated

 

[MOGlLNY]

He's got confidence and that's so important in a goalie. His hard work on his game has paid off:

Look of a guy who is feeling it

 

[TheMistyStranger]

The biggest difference I notice is the rebound game has improved. He may not be “controlling” them but he is much more aware of where the second shot is coming from and is getting in position to make that stop.

That and actually using his size to look big in net

 

[Jim Bob]

UPL is doing well in the areas he can control.

Long range shots are his biggest area for improvement. But, I wonder if traffic in front of him is an issue here.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I am glad to be eating crow on this kid, UPL has been AWESOME since the beginning of the year.

I really didn't think he could be consistent but once Adams finally sent Levi down and had a 2 goalie tandem, UPL has blossomed. He's been so solid.

 

[TageGod]

So if we make playoffs can he win the Hart?

 

[Reddawg]

So if we make playoffs can he win the Hart?

I can't see a sub-40 win goaltender winning over McD, Mac or Kuch, personally. Only seven goalies have ever won the Hart and we just can't all be Jose Theodore.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

It frustrates me that UPL started in only 17 of the 38 games up to New Year's, and he only got that many because Comrie got hurt. He didn't get a start until after two weeks in the season, and then the 3 goalie carousel only ended after Levi proved he wasn't ready.

UPL had to slap the coaching staff into reality, with help from fate.

 

[MOGlLNY]

It frustrates me that UPL started in only 17 of the 38 games up to New Year's, and he only got that many because Comrie got hurt. He didn't get a start until after two weeks in the season, and then the 3 goalie carousel only ended after Levi proved he wasn't ready.

UPL had to slap the coaching staff into reality, with help from fate.

If that’s what it took to unlock this guy going forward for years well it may have been worth the infuriating slog this season has been.

 

[MOGlLNY]

26 minutes. Luuk talk

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

If that’s what it took to unlock this guy going forward for years well it may have been worth the infuriating slog this season has been.

I'm sure that's not what it took. It took more starts that he didn't see for a few months longer than necessary.

 

[Beerz]

It frustrates me that UPL started in only 17 of the 38 games up to New Year's, and he only got that many because Comrie got hurt. He didn't get a start until after two weeks in the season, and then the 3 goalie carousel only ended after Levi proved he wasn't ready.

UPL had to slap the coaching staff into reality, with help from fate.

I agree..but UPL was brutal in preseason.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I agree..but UPL was brutal in preseason.

He got an entire 5 periods during preseason...out of 21.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[HOOats]

If that’s what it took to unlock this guy going forward for years well it may have been worth the infuriating slog this season has been.

Totally agree with this. The three goalie situation was obviously not ideal, but plenty of people thought the solution was to bail on UPL. Adams trying to balance holding on to UPL's potential with getting Levi into the org with whatever promises were needed was a tricky task.

He didn't thread the needle perfectly wrt optimizing this season, but we do have what might be the best u25 goalie duo in the league moving forward.

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Asymmetric Solution]

He's got confidence and that's so important in a goalie. His hard work on his game has paid off:

View attachment 833840
Look of a guy who is feeling it

I think the bringing in Levi to challenge him activated a sleeping giant. With his size and speed and the way he’s developed, we could have ourselves a franchise goalie.

If he continues this level of play and Sabres barge into the playoffs, he should get Vezina considerations. Long way to go.

 

[Jacob582]

I think UPL would have won us that late game in NJ last year.

I hate to be that guy who states that warm-ups mean anything at all, but...... it felt like every practice shot was going in the net when Levi was in net and nothing when UPL was.

At the time, I thought: doesn't mean anything, but, uh oh.

Levi lost us that game. Or was it Granato? Or Adams?