Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss the 2026 Winter Olympics due to a lower-body injury sustained earlier this week. Boston Bruins netminder Joonas Korpisalo has been named as his replacement on Team Finland's roster. The announcement comes just days before the tournament begins in Milan.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the 26-year-old goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres, suffered a lower-body injury during the first period of his team's 7-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 27, 2026. He exited the game at the 12:14 mark and has not returned to the ice since. On Tuesday, February 3, Team Finland confirmed that Luukkonen would be unable to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, marking a significant blow to the squad.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on January 29, noting Luukkonen's progress in recovery but emphasizing caution regarding his Olympic status. "We really haven’t talked about the Olympics yet," Ruff said. "We don’t want to rule it out or rule it however we have to rule it. Let’s just see where we get by early next week."
Luukkonen, who was one of three Sabres selected for the Olympics alongside defenseman Rasmus Dahlin for Sweden and forward Tage Thompson for the United States, has posted solid numbers this season: 11-7-2 record with a 2.73 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 21 games.
Stepping in is 31-year-old Joonas Korpisalo of the Boston Bruins, who last represented Finland at the 2017 IIHF World Championship. Korpisalo expressed mixed emotions about the opportunity. "It means a lot," he said after practice on February 3. "Obviously, I feel bad for Luke, bad timing for him, just one week before the Olympics. But I’m happy to jump in. It's a great honor."
Korpisalo, who will join Bruins teammate Henri Jokiharju on the Finnish roster, has a 10-8-1 record this season with a 3.12 GAA and .895 save percentage in 21 games, including one shutout. He has been particularly sharp since January 1, going 4-0-1 with a .931 save percentage and 1.89 GAA during Boston's 11-2-2 run.
The NHL's first Olympic participation since 2014 begins with a break on Friday, February 6. Team Finland opens against Slovakia on February 11 at 10:40 a.m. ET. Finland also faces injury concerns with forward Anton Lundell listed as questionable and captain Aleksander Barkov sidelined long-term. Luukkonen plans to use the Olympic break for rehabilitation as the Sabres aim to end their 14-season playoff drought.