[Signing] Sabres extend Luukkonen (5 yrs, $4.75M per)

[OutOfTheCube]

https://www.nhl.com/news/ukko-pekka-...ct-with-sabres

Definitely played like a starting goalie last season with some great numbers behind a suspect defense. Hopefully things continue to trend well for him.

[agulati]

This could end up being a steal

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

https://www.nhl.com/news/ukko-pekka-...ct-with-sabres

Definitely played like a starting goalie last season with some great numbers behind a suspect defense. Hopefully things continue to trend well for him.

I thought the Sabres were reasonably strong defensively last year particularly after the first month. It was their decreased offensive output that sunk them. Previous seasons they certainly were not. Luukkonen likely helped this out as his 2nd half numbers were strong. I also think the way the team played helped him too.

At this price though it's s good bet. They should have a strong group on D, and if he plays like last year he could be s Vezina dark horse.

[dino7c]

I must be getting old...guys whom I have never heard of sign big deals and Im like who?

Not saying its bad or good...I have no idea lol

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by agulati

This could end up being a steal

Really? More likely it ends up being a bad contract imo. 25 million guaranteed for an unproven goalie with one good year (50 or so games) screams like a bad deal to me. These are the type of deals that have made buffalo a laughing stock for so long.

I think he has potential but there is 0 reason he should get this contract.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

Really? More likely it ends up being a bad contract imo. 25 million guaranteed for an unproven goalie with one good year (50 or so games) screams like a bad deal to me. These are the type of deals that have made buffalo a laughing stock for so long.

I think he has potential but there is 0 reason he should get this contract.

Yeah there's definitely some risk behind this one. He's been fine, potential there, maybe they shore up the D / youth progresses, etc. But at first glance this is too long for too much for a young goalie.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

Really? More likely it ends up being a bad contract imo. 25 million guaranteed for an unproven goalie with one good year (50 or so games) screams like a bad deal to me. These are the type of deals that have made buffalo a laughing stock for so long.

I think he has potential but there is 0 reason he should get this contract.

What do you do, give him one year $2m deal and walk him to UFA? he was significantly better than Levi and Comrie and with 5 shutouts showed he was ready for the full time starters role. $4.75m X 5 has a better chance to be a steal than a bad deal.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

What do you do, give him one year $2m deal and walk him to UFA? he was significantly better than Levi and Comrie and with 5 shutouts showed he was ready for the full time starters role. $4.75m X 5 has a better chance to be a steal than a bad deal.

I guess there is more than zero reason to do this then.

A good reminder to consider a players service time in figuring out contract length and strategy.

[Erick Estrada]

He was pretty good last season and but he's been a little up and down over his career. Could turn out to be a pretty good contract but there's a chance he ends up an expensive backup. It's so hard to say with goaltenders as they are so year to year.

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

What do you do, give him one year $2m deal and walk him to UFA? he was significantly better than Levi and Comrie and with 5 shutouts showed he was ready for the full time starters role. $4.75m X 5 has a better chance to be a steal than a bad deal.

5x4.75 will not be a steal unless he's a top 10 goalie in this league. Goalies just don't get that money and term unless they're a bonafide starter in the nhl and he isn't.

This has jack campbell buyout written all over it. At least campbell had multiple good seasons before he got his bad contract.

[Wood]

Luukkonen

54 GP
27 W
5 SO
.910 Sv

Markstrom

48 GP
23 W
2 SO
.905 Sv

Markstrom only had one season as a Flame with a .910 or better

Not trying to push any kind of narrative, just using an example of a goalie we all know as a comparable

Luukkonen is 25 years old

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

What do you do, give him one year $2m deal and walk him to UFA? he was significantly better than Levi and Comrie and with 5 shutouts showed he was ready for the full time starters role. $4.75m X 5 has a better chance to be a steal than a bad deal.

Especially since they had this exact situation just happen with Ullmark, not gonna risk it again.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Zary's-Mustache

5x4.75 will not be a steal unless he's a top 10 goalie in this league. Goalies just don't get that money and term unless they're a bonafide starter in the nhl and he isn't.

This has jack campbell buyout written all over it. At least campbell had multiple good seasons before he got his bad contract.

Crazy talk, $4.75m makes him the leagues 19th most expensive goalie.

[Zary's-Mustache]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Crazy talk, $4.75m makes him the leagues 19th most expensive goalie.

Yes which is why I said it'll only be a steal if he's a top 10 goalie in the nhl.

Also 4.75 for 5 years. There's a difference between 4.75 for one year and for 5 years.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Crazy talk, $4.75m makes him the leagues 19th most expensive goalie.

You are making an argument for his point...if he is the 19th most expensive goalie he will need to be much better than that to be a "Steal"
so yeah probably top 10

[Mass_nerder]

These are the kinds of gambles that teams need to take to stretch their window. Maybe it pans out, maybe not, but the payoff of having a good young starting goalie locked up for term at $4.75 obviously outweighs the risk that he's a replacement quality player getting $4.75 (which is ultimately not that much, especially with the cap expected to jump up to $100 million in the next few years).
Hopefully he does well, because Buffalo needs to get out of the basement, and his name is fun to say.