Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went from being the Buffalo Sabres’ third-string goalie at the beginning of last season to their probable long-term solution in net after agreeing to a five-year, $23.75 million contract on Wednesday.

The trade comes as Luukkonen, a restricted free agent, was expected to have his contract determined in arbitration in the next two weeks. For the 25-year-old from Finland, the contract gives long-term security for a player whose future was unknown in Buffalo for the past two years.

For the Sabres, the deal has the potential of addressing what’s been an uncertain position since selling Ryan Miller to St. Louis during the 2013-14 season.

Luukkonen, commonly known as “UPL,” began last season as the Sabres’ third goalkeeper to start a game and eventually worked his way up the depth chart ahead of rookie Devon Levi and backup Eric Comrie. In taking over the starting role on Dec. 30, he enjoyed a period of going 17-9-1 in which he allowed 52 goals and posted four shutouts.

Luukkonen concluded the season with a 27-22-4 record, becoming Buffalo’s first goaltender to win 27 games and register five shutouts since Miller’s 31 victories and six shutouts in 2011-12.

Overall, he ended tied for eight in the NHL with a 2.57 goals-against average, and tied for second in shutouts. Luukkonen’s performance was regarded one of the few bright lights for a Sabres team that extended its NHL-record postseason drought to a 13th season and led to coach Don Granato’s resignation.

Granato has now been replaced by Lindy Ruff, who is back for a second spell with the Sabres.

Luukkonen spent the three prior seasons bouncing between the Sabres and the minors in combining for a 20-19-6 record for Buffalo. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 217 pounds, he was taken by Buffalo in the second round of the 2017 draft.

The Sabres anticipated entering the season with Luukkonen securing one goalie slot, with Levi and veteran free-agent signing James Reimer competing for the backup job.