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

[Member 308457]

Goalies develop differently than other positions. Look at the start of Barasso's career. The Sabres were in need of a goalie so they tried out their 18 year old #1 draft choice. It worked. Sounds to me like this kid might be able at least knock one of the placeholder goalies off the Amerks right now.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Biggest PK in 7 years.

 

[DoubleGold]

Hope he's able to become another Rinne/Rask in the future. I don't want our future to solely rely on Saros.

 

[Beerz]

Hope he's able to become another Rinne/Rask in the future. I don't want our future to solely rely on Saros.

Saros?

 

[DoubleGold]

Saros?

Sorry, I'm talking about Finland, not the Sabres.

 

[Beerz]

Sorry, I'm talking about Finland, not the Sabres.

Gotcha

 

[Snippit]

My first viewing

Man this kid is good. Kid always puts himself in a position to make the save.

If it wasn’t for him London takes it for sure

 

[Snippit]

Just robbed Foudy twice...one of which was a penalty shot in OT.

Let’s see if he can steal the shootout

 

[jBuds]

Just robbed Foudy twice...one of which was a penalty shot in OT.

Let’s see if he can steal the shootout

And?!

 

[Snippit]

And?!

London prevailed

 

[DJN21]

Does this mean I have to stop trading him in nhl19?

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[tsujimoto74]

Does this mean I have to stop trading him in nhl19?

idk why you were doing that to start with, he always develops into a beast in that game. Hopefully irl, too.

 

[WaW]

Update: Ukko is still rocking this league. Get excited for the Finnish team at the Juniors.

 

[ZZamboni]

Update: Ukko is still rocking this league. Get excited for the Finnish team at the Juniors.

Glad to hear it. I figured he would develop nicely. Some posters are massively impatient and judge too quickly.

 

[WaW]

Glad to hear it. I figured he would develop nicely. Some posters are massively impatient and judge too quickly.

CHL is the place for a goalie to develop IMO. Heavy schedule, lots of shots, and its the junior league most modelled after the NHL. He'll make a smooth transition to Rochester next year.

 

[Ace]

 

[Samsonite23]

How is this even possible? Sudbury was supposed to be garbage. Is he Hasek or what? I honestly can’t even believe he’s doing what he’s doing.

 

[WaW]

How is this even possible? Sudbury was supposed to be garbage. Is he Hasek or what? I honestly can’t even believe he’s doing what he’s doing.

We were supposed to be middle of the pack this year, but i can forgive the assumption since we've been a sorry franchise for like 17 years.

The team is actually pretty decent, but he's the biggest reason we're 4th in the OHL. He's always standing on his head out there and keeping us in games we have no business being in.

 

[Ace]

That’s definitely exciting to hear. Looking forward to WJC

 

[Samsonite23]

We were supposed to be middle of the pack this year, but i can forgive the assumption since we've been a sorry franchise for like 17 years.

The team is actually pretty decent, but he's the biggest reason we're 4th in the OHL. He's always standing on his head out there and keeping us in games we have no business being in.

Thanks for the report. Good to know. I thought they were supposed to be worse than middle of the pack this year. That makes sense.

 

[WaW]

Ukko made 32 of 34 saves (and looked the part) as Finland beat Canada 5-2 in the final WJC pre-tournament game.

 

[sabresfan129103]

The Sabres really like to slow cook their goaltenders. It definitely paid off with Ullmark. I guess the question at this point is how many years do they let him play in junior before moving him to Rochester. He's probably at minimum 3 years away from seeing his first NHL game.

 

[Reddawg]

The Sabres really like to slow cook their goaltenders. It definitely paid off with Ullmark. I guess the question at this point is how many years do they let him play in junior before moving him to Rochester. He's probably at minimum 3 years away from seeing his first NHL game.

Most of the league tends to keep goalies away from regular NHL action until they're around 24. A player like Carter Hart is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Chainshot]

Ukko made 32 of 34 saves (and looked the part) as Finland beat Canada 5-2 in the final WJC pre-tournament game.

He looked much calmer and more in control than last year's U-20's. That said, he still struggled a bit with lateral puck movement and the Canadians flubbed a couple of wide open nets. He made some great saves though, very pleased with his game last night.