The New York Rangers may be looking at Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as they deal with injuries in net. On Thursday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said Rangers goaltending scout Scott Clemmensen attended Tuesday’s Sabres-Canadiens game in Montreal. Friedman believed Clemmensen was there to watch Luukkonen.
New York has been hit hard by injuries to its goaltenders. Igor Shesterkin is out for the season after injuring his right knee against the Washington Capitals on October 9, while backup Joonas Korpisalo is expected to miss around four weeks with a lower-body injury. Rookie Dylan Garand has stepped in, recording a .951 save percentage and a 3-1-0 record through four appearances.
X user Joe Marino shared Friedman’s comments from the podcast, writing:
“From today’s 32 Thoughts Pod. Friedman believes the Rangers sent their goalie scout, Scott Clemmensen, to Tuesday’s Sabres vs. Canadiens game to watch Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen”
The report prompted a mix of jokes and questions from fans.
One fan joked, referring to Luukkonen’s outing against Montreal. He stopped 35 of 38 shots, but the Canadiens scored on all three of their shootout attempts.
“Hopefully he left after OT”
Another added,
“Sounds like doing due diligence.”
The speculation also brought up the Sabres’ reported interest in Connor Hellebuyck. One fan pointed to a possible link between the two situations, saying,
“The only way the Sabres can make Hellebuyck work is if they flip UPL elsewhere. Makes sense.”
Others questioned what Buffalo could get in return for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
“Unless it’s a 3 way trade with WPG or another team with a solid goalie, what exactly would the Sabres get from the rangers?”
One fan was curious about the scouting process itself, writing,
“Maybe a silly question but I’ve always been curious, what do these guys see in person that they can’t see on film?”
Why Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be an option for the Rangers
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 27, is under contract through the 2028-29 season on a five-year, $23.75 million deal with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million. He finished last season with a 22-9-3 record and a .910 save percentage.
His experience could help New York cover Shesterkin’s absence while giving Garand time to develop. The Rangers would also have to consider their goaltending depth once Korpisalo returns. Garand has played four NHL games, and reaching 10 games would trigger a waiver requirement before he could be sent to the AHL.
There is no indication that a trade is close, and neither team has commented publicly. Friedman said Clemmensen is expected to attend more games in the coming weeks. The Rangers visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Edited by Sonali Verma
