“So trade Levi at this point”: NHL fans’ mixed reactions to Buffalo Sabres signing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to $23.75M contract extension

The Buffalo Sabres avoided arbitration with netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen by agreeing on a five-year, $23.75 million deal. With this contract extension, the Sabres lock in their starting goalie for the foreseeable future.

However, news of Luukkonen’s new deal was met with mixed reactions from Buffalo fans. Some were unconvinced about the deal, sounding skeptical about the contract.

Here’s what some fans had to say on X/Twitter:

“So trade Levi at this point! Hope the language is opt out after 2 years,” one fan said.

“Holy overpay... what cup winning team will eventually trade for him?” another fan weighed in.

“Don Granato got this man a paycheck by sacrificing all his team’s offense,” a fan opined.

Meanwhile, not all fans were skeptical about the deal. Some expressed their excitement and enthusiasm about Luukkonen’s big contract.

Here are some more fan reactions:

“Great deal here for a good young goalie,” one fan commented.

“Love it, great AAV and term,” another fan tweeted.

“Big win for my GOAT,” a fan posted.

With Luukkonen’s new deal, the Buffalo Sabres put an end to months of speculation regarding their goaltending situation. The Sabres now seem set with two solid netminders and seem poised to make a run in the Atlantic Division next season, potentially climbing into playoff conversations as well.

Buffalo Sabres are in a good spot with 2 solid goalies

Now that the Sabres have Luukkonen under contract, the club can boast about having two good, young goalies on the team.

While Luukkonen ran with the starting job last season, starting in 51 games, it didn’t diminish the role that Devon Levi played on the team.

To the contrary, GM Kevyn Adams seems excited about the prospect of having two starting-caliber goalies on the roster. Adams said (via Sports Illustrated):

“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.”

The key term here is “developing.” In other words, Adams and the organization feel that there is still room for growth for both goaltenders. That thought bodes well as the Sabres look to emerge from the seemingly endless rebuild.

Notably, Buffalo currently has the longest playoff drought in the league, but with Luukkonen and Levi on board, fans will be optimistic that they can help the club turn the ship around.

It remains to be seen how well the Sabres play this upcoming season. Considering the stacked Atlantic Division, climbing into a playoff spot won’t be easy. But having two solid netminders to rely on is a crucial step in the right direction.

How do you think the Buffalo Sabres will fare next season? Can they make the playoffs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.