According to his agent Markus Lehto, the rumor that spread about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonis in Russia is not true.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is currently without a contract, but negotiations with Buffalo are ongoing. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
On Monday, a rumor spread in the Russian media that the Finnish NHL goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen would be signing a contract with the Kazakh KHL club Barys Nur-Sultan.
Rumor spread journalist of sports media Sport-Express Artur Hairullin on his Telegram account.
Luukkonen’s agent Markus Lehto however, the rumor gets its wings.
– Currently, negotiations are underway with the Buffalo Sabres. KHL is not in the plans in this world situation, Lehto told Iltalehte.
At the moment, the only Finnish player under a KHL contract is a forward Teemu Pulkkinen.
The 23-year-old Luukkonen is currently without a contract, but as a restricted free agent his NHL rights are held by Buffalo.
Luukkonen played nine NHL games in Buffalo last season with a save percentage of 91.7. He played most of the season in the AHL.
Lehto says that Buffalo has planned for Luukkos to play a very important role in the future.
– At the moment, the negotiations with them are going round and round. You also have to remember that in North America, the cycle of making player contracts is later than in Europe.
Luukkonen fought the Young Lions to the world championship in 2019, and he was selected for the tournament’s all-star field at that time.