The Buffalo Sabres appear prepared to go into the 2026-27 National Hockey League season with a crowded goal crease once again. The trio of Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis all contributed quality starts for the Sabres in the tightly condensed 25-26 season, which included a lengthy Winter Olympic break.
While it is true that the round two game seven overtime goal by Montreal’s Alex Newton is one that Luukkonen should have stopped, a significant upgrade in net would be difficult to accomplish. The list of available netminders is limited, and such a transaction would be costly.
Winnipeg’s Conor Hellebuyck would be a move to explore, but with the needed return to the Jets, coupled with Hellebuyck’s no movement clause, closing a deal would be very challenging.
Prospect Devon Levi, who will no longer be exempt next season, doesn’t appear to be in the club’s future plans and will likely be a trade piece this summer.
All signs are pointing to the return of Buffalo’s netminding threesome in the fall.
“I think having the three goalies available all the time, it can be a really good way to go, “ said Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. “I think once we got talking to all of them about it in the exit meetings, they all agreed. They’re all real good people, real good teammates, real good pros.”
“Lindy(Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff) touched on it too, they pushed each other, they supported each other, they challenged each other, they had fun. All of them wanna probably play more games, that’s great, that’s internal competition, they’ll be better off. At some point, we may have to change that, but I think it’s worked great so far. It’s been a strength of our team.
All three Buffalo goaltenders dealt with significant time lost to injury during the season.
The Sabres depth in the crease was an asset, which allowed for recovery and gave each goalie the needed rest in a demanding schedule.
In the absence of a viable upgrade opportunity, Buffalo is set to return to the plan that served them well in a season that saw the club return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in fourteen seasons.
“We had Colten Ellis go in a few times and play incredible games. Alex Lyon and (Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen) they played most of the games and had good seasons. The best season Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen has ever had, numbers-wise. His save percentage and goals against average both of them. Alex Lyon’s been a great mentor to our young goalies, so I think we’re in a good spot. “
Follow Dave on X @DaveNHL, Facebook at [email protected] & [email protected]
