Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
On a sunny autumn afternoon in Buffalo, Sabres fans eschewed the outside warmth in favor of the cold grasp of LECOM Harborcenter, where the franchise’s prospects were dominating their peers from the Columbus Blue Jackets system as part of an annual rookie tournament. As the Buffalo faithful high-fived in celebration of Jiri Kulich’s latest snipe, members of the here-and-now Sabres were getting in a skate before training camp at KeyBank Center, the NHL arena conveniently connected to LECOM by a pedestrian bridge. Among the skaters was Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the 25-year-old goaltender who has positioned himself as Buffalo’s best hope between the pipes as the Sabres attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Coming off career-best totals of 54 games, 27 wins and a 2.57 goals-against average, the towering goalie known as ‘UPL’ was far from the weak link on last year’s Sabres team, which felt like it could’ve broken through for a post-season slot in the Atlantic. Instead, it was a combination of injuries to key players and a slow start – prefaced by what felt like a misstep in forcing prospect goalie Devon Levi into an early starter’s role – that doomed Buffalo.
But there is reason to believe the Sabres can exorcise their demons. Lindy Ruff, who guided the franchise to its most recent Stanley Cup final way back in 1999, is back behind the bench, replacing Don Granato – a fantastic development teacher of a coach who unfortunately couldn’t get the team enough wins in the end. “Everybody’s really excited that we have Lindy here now,” Luukkonen said. “Donny pushed us and helped a lot of players get to another level, but now getting a new coach and everybody knowing what the goal is, we want to be more ready for the season. We know how important this season is. I’m really excited, and everybody else is, too.”
For the most part, Buffalo will have to rely on internal growth (and health) to improve, though off-season additions Ryan McLeod, Sam Lafferty and Beck Malenstyn will fortify the bottom six up front. A full season of Bowen Byram – acquired before the 2024 trade deadline from Colorado – will elevate the blueline. But enough about the Sabres on paper; they know they have to prove their worth on the ice. “I feel like everybody has a chip on their shoulders,” Luukkonen said. “Even though I personally had a good year last season, it doesn’t…