Jarmo Kekalainen just slammed the door on Connor Hellebuyck, and he did it by backing the goalie the Buffalo Sabres were supposedly shipping out.
Speaking on WGR 550 Tuesday morning, the Sabres GM threw his full weight behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
“We believe in our goaltending,” Kekalainen said.
“Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a really good goaltender who has a lot to give to the Buffalo Sabres and will be a big part of our future.”
He never mentioned Winnipeg. The Monday night report that had Hellebuyck headed to Buffalo for Ryan McLeod, Alex Lyon and two 2028 picks? Not a word.
Choosing the goalie you have over a franchise netminder is a snub, plain and simple. Hellebuyck's $8,500,000 cap hit trails only Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy among NHL goaltenders.
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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's .860 save percentage is now Buffalo's whole plan
That's the bet. Seven appearances in, the 27-year-old Finn has two wins to show for it.
The Sabres have coughed up 34 goals in nine games and sit fifth in the Atlantic at 4-3-2. Behind him, Colten Ellis has yet to win in five appearances.
Every GM defends his starter in public. Few do it less than a day after a report put their team next to Connor Hellebuyck in a finalized deal.
It's the wrong call. Buffalo is asking a struggling goalie to carry a team allowing 3.8 goals a night, with Rasmus Dahlin day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
It's a bit like turning down a new furnace in November because the old one rattled to life a couple of times in October.
The ripple reaches New York. Monday's report had the Finn going to the Rangers, who've lost Shesterkin for the season to a knee injury.
Mike Sullivan now rides Dylan Garand, who's posted a .929 save percentage and a shutout, with Joonas Korpisalo out until at least Nov. 9.
In Winnipeg, the Jets head into St. Louis tonight on a two-game losing streak. Stuart Skinner has handled the bulk of the work, with three wins in five appearances.
If Kevin Cheveldayoff was shopping his star, one buyer just went on the radio to say no thanks.
The Flyers come to Buffalo with a -19 goal differential, but they've won two straight.
Lindy Ruff hosts Philadelphia on Wednesday night. If he hands the crease back to the GM's guy and it goes sideways again, that radio clip is going to age fast.
Did Jarmo Kekalainen blow it by choosing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen over Connor Hellebuyck?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Hellebuyck-to-Sabres trade hinges on Luukkonen deal with Rangers, per report
