3. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen ranked seventh in the NHL in high-danger save percentage (.830) last season.
One of the breakout goalies of last season, Luukkonen, 25, outperformed touted rookie Devon Levi, 22, and can help guide his younger teammate along to eventually give Buffalo one of the better tandems in the NHL. Luukkonen was tied for 11th in games played (54) last season but only tied for 26th in goals for average (2.88; minimum 30 games) – and the lack of consistent goal support was a big reason Buffalo did not make the playoffs.
But having Byram on the roster for a full season and forwards Thompson and Jack Quinn healthy would go a long way in rewarding Luukkonen for his workhorse ability and clutch stops in high-danger areas.
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