The New Jersey Devils could have an interesting opportunity in goal if the Buffalo Sabres actually decide to pull the trigger on a trade for Connor Hellebuyck. If Buffalo adds Hellebuyck, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could suddenly become available, and that is a situation New Jersey should be paying attention to.
Goaltending has been a question for the Devils heading into the season, and adding Luukkonen would give them another starting option to work with. In tandem with Jake Allen, who brings some experience and some mentorship to a younger goalie like Luukkonen.
Devils would benefit from acquiring Luukkonen
Of course, there is a pretty big "if" attached to this. The Sabres would have to actually acquire Hellebuyck first. Buffalo and the Winnipeg Jets have discussed a potential trade, so if those talks eventually turn into a deal, the Devils could look at what happens next in Buffalo.
If Hellebuyck comes in, there isn't really going to be much room for Luukkonen. Buffalo would have its new starter, and keeping two goalies who both expect to play a lot wouldn't make much sense. That's where the Devils could potentially step in.
The Devils do have some goalies of their own, though, and that would have to be figured out before bringing Luukkonen into the picture. New Jersey recently claimed Remi Poirier off waivers from the Dallas Stars, adding another goalie to the organization.
Devils would need to trade a goalie
Because of that, the Devils would need to move one of their current goalies if they wanted to acquire Luukkonen. David Rittich or Nico Daws could be the players who end up moving, either as part of a deal for Luukkonen or in a separate trade to make room.
Rittich would give Buffalo an experienced third option if the Sabres were looking for some additional depth behind Hellebuyck and Alex Lyon. Daws is younger and could be more of a long-term backup option for another team around the NHL.
For New Jersey, though, Luukkonen would be an interesting player to add. He isn’t considered to be a "bonafide star"; however, he is a true starting goalie that would give them a reliable goalie with NHL experience and someone who still has time to develop into a bigger part of a team's plans.
That would give New Jersey another option instead of simply hoping one of its current goalies takes the job and runs with it. The Devils have enough talent in front of their goaltenders that getting reliable play in net could make a pretty big difference for them.
There would obviously be a lot of moving parts. The Devils would need to move Rittich or Daws, Buffalo would have to be willing to trade Luukkonen, and the two teams would have to agree on a return. None of that is guaranteed to happen, but if the Jets and Sabres pull off a Hellebuyck blockbuster, the Devils need to make the call to Buffalo and find a way to acquire Luukkonen.
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