Monday Morning Ramblings: UPL Making His Mark, Kochetkov's Chaos, Askarov's Ascension and More

Good morning everyone and welcome to another edition of the Monday Morning Ramblings. This week we’ll be taking a look at some young netminders who are making a name for themselves throughout hockey circles, whether it be at the NHL level or at the minor league level in the AHL. Let’s get to it!

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Making His Mark

This current NHL season may not have played out as many would have thought for the Buffalo Sabres. However, one bright spot has to be the future of the team’s goaltending with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen manning the crease for the big club while Devon Levi plies his trade with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

It has certainly been a bit of a coming out party for the young 25-year-old Luukkonen as he has enjoyed a solid season to date, sporting a 20-16-3 record with a 2.42 goals against and .915 save percentage. UPL, as he is affectionately known, has been even better since flipping the calendar to 2024, going 13-8-1 accompanied by a stellar 1.91 goals against and .931 save percentage.

Clearly, the 6’5, 217lbs netminder is sending a message to the organization that he is firmly in the conversation to be the team’s goaltender of the future with his solid play to this point in the season. Luukkonen's level of play has also allowed the Sabres to be a little more patient with another young gun in Levi, who has spent much of this year in the American Hockey League.

It seems to have done wonders for both as Levi has flourished in Rochester with an 8-5-3 record a 2.55 goals against and .925 save percentage since the beginning of December, while Luukkonen has enjoyed this run as the Sabres undisputed #1 for several weeks with very encouraging results. UPL has put together a large enough sample size to want to invest in him as a fantasy manager seeing as he will get the bulk of the team’s starts over the last quarter of the season. The only issue that lacks clarity is that of a new contract as the lanky Finn plays out the last year of his deal heading into the summer as a restricted free agent.

All that being said, at some point in the very near future the Sabres are going to turn the corner in a big way and many a fantasy manager is going to want in on what will be a solid source of wins with Luukkonen having the inside track to becoming the Sabers undisputed #1.

Kochetkov Causing Chaos

Amidst all of the injury related issues to the Carolina Hurricanes goaltending, the club has enjoyed an extended viewing of its number one prospect in goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov this year.

Through injuries and health related matters, Kochetkov has seized the opportunity to stake his claim as the club's best option between the pipes. The 6’3” 205lbs Russian goaltender has the numbers to back it up too, as the young 24 year old has fashioned a 16-13-3 record with a 2.39 goals against and .910 save percentage to this point in the campaign. His aggressive style of play can put him into some precarious positions at times but he has endeared himself to both his teammates as well as the team's fan base with his passion and youthful exuberance.

Since January 1st, Kochetkov has been on another level for the Hurricanes as he is sporting an 8-4-1 record with a sizzling 1.92 goals against and .924 save percentage plus two shutouts. Carolina clearly saw what they had in the young netminder, signing him to a team friendly contract (4-year $8M deal) which seems to be a passing of the torch with Frederik Andersen having one year left on his deal.

From a fantasy perspective, Andersen may eat into some of Kochetkov’s playing time down the stretch (if he remains healthy…....big if!) so temper expectations a little. However, with the way that Kochetkov has played this year combined with the high expectations placed squarely on this team's shoulders in regard to playoff success, you have to think that Kochetkov will play a big part in that.

Askarov’s Ascension

Since being selected 11th overall in the 2020 NHL draft, Yaroslav Askarov has been seen as the Nashville Predators future in goal. Depending on what the organization’s plans are for Juuse Saros, that future could be coming sooner rather than later.

The level of play that Askarov has displayed this year for Nashville’s AHL affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals, has at the very least given team brass something to think about. Askarov has put together some impressive numbers as Milwaukee’s starting netminder, going 22-9-1 with a stingy 2.23 goals against and .917 save percentage in addition to five shutouts.

The 6’3” 187lbs goaltender certainly does not lack confidence or swagger as seen by his many highlights over the course of his young career and if he can continue to develop at his current pace it may begin to force management's hand. At the very least one would assume that he makes a big case to stay on the NHL roster come this fall.

From a fantasy point of view, a lot will depend on the direction the team takes when it comes to Saros and as it relates to Askarov’s immediate potential. That being said, the long term outlook is taking shape and the future is very bright for both Askarov and that of the Nashville Predators goaltending.

Hungry Like The Wolf

A ton of ink has been spilled on the Calgary Flames goaltending this season due in large part to never ending trade speculation surrounding Jacob Markstrom and the New Jersey Devils. Now that the NHL’s trade deadline has passed, we have a slightly clearer picture of what may lie ahead when it comes to the Flames crease.

Here’s what we do know, the chances that Jacob Markstrom is still the Flames starting netminder come October are very slim. This in turn would open the door for highly touted prospect Dustin Wolf to make the leap to the NHL full time and have an opportunity to take hold of Calgary’s crease. Wolf’s resume speaks for itself with back-to-back AHL Goaltender of the Year awards along with the AHL’s league MVP award and it is no wonder that he has little left to prove at the minor league level.

Wolf has put together quite the body of work during his time in the AHL with some rather impressive numbers. The Flames seventh round selection in 2019 has gone 97-30-9 with a 2.27 goals against and .927 save percentage accompanied by 11 shutouts. This only gives more credence to the idea of having Wolf on the NHL roster full time next year in order to continue his development.

With the Flames currently retooling the NHL roster, Wolf’s full potential may not be seen for the better part of a year or two until the Flames are a contender again. However, when it comes to expected arrival and the prospect of getting some serious playing time, Wolf finds himself in what looks to be a plum spot to take advantage of the opportunity.

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See you all again next Monday!