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NHL Notebook: Sabres sign goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to long-term contract
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Photo credit: © Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Jul 24, 2024, 19:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 24, 2024, 19:50 EDT
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We’re just 77 days away from the Edmonton Oilers season opener.
As the off-season progresses, transactions become few and far between. However, there was a notable signing on Wednesday, as well as other news pieces.
It’s worth noting that the Oilers hiring Stan Bowman won’t be covered in this article. The controversial signing has been covered in numerous articles.

Buffalo Sabres sign their goalie of the future

The biggest on-ice transaction of the day came when the Buffalo Sabres re-signed netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a five-year deal with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million.
The 25-year-old was selected 54th overall in the 2017 draft and became a regular in 2022-23 with the Sabres. Overall, he played 33 games and had an .892 save percentage and a 3.58 goals-against average with a 17-11-4 record.
Luukkonen took over the pipes in 2023-24 and had a .910 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average in 54 games, along with a 27-22-4 record. Finishing with a 39-37-9 record, the Sabres missed the postseason for the 13th consecutive season.

NHL Broadcast Training Camp

For some players, life after their playing days can be quite boring. Some find passion in other aspects of their life, some transition to coaching, and some players join a broadcast.
Last week, the National Hockey League held its first-ever “NHL Broadcast Training Camp,” helping current and recently retired players adjust to the broadcasting game after their playing days were over.
In total, there were nine players that attended the event. Players currently under contract include Erik Johnson and Garnet Hathaway of the Philadelphia, as well as Colorado Avalanche forward Chris Wagner. 
Former players who attended the event include Devante Smith-Pelly, Nate Thompson, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan “he held the pad” Kessler, as well as Darius Kasparaitis, who shouldn’t be described as “recently retired,” given that his last season in the NHL was in 2006-07.
Still, this is a good program that could help players transition to a different job outside of playing hockey.

Henry Thrun re-signs with San Jose

It was reported by the team on Wednesday evening that they signed left-shot defenceman Henry Thrun to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1 million annually.
Thrun, 23, was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft by the Anaheim Ducks but never played a game with the team. The Southborough native finished his collegiate career with Harvard University and signed with the Ducks’ California rivals, the San Jose Sharks.
After eight games in 2022-23 after the end of his collegiate season, Thrun became a mainstay on the abysmal Sharks’ roster, scoring three goals and 11 points in 51 games. The rebuilding team needs players like this, as they look to steer the ship in the right direction.
If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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