Finland names Joonas Korpisalo as injury replacement goaltender for 2026 Olympics

Finland has made a last-minute change to its Olympic hockey roster, naming Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo as the replacement for injured Buffalo Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The announcement came on Tuesday, just days before the NHL’s Olympic break begins.[1] As the defending champions from the 2022 Beijing Games, where they triumphed without NHL participation, Team Finland enters the Milan Cortina 2026 tournament with high expectations now that league stars are back for the first time since 2014.

Korpisalo, a native of Pori, Finland, will make his Olympic debut alongside fellow first-timers Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen. The move underscores Finland’s depth in net amid a challenging preparation period marked by injuries, including the absence of captain Aleksander Barkov.[2]

Luukkonen’s injury sidelines promising Olympic bid

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the 26-year-old Sabres starter, suffered a lower-body injury during a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 27. He left the game at 12:14 of the first period and has not returned to action since.[1]

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff provided an update on January 29, noting cautious optimism but avoiding firm commitments on Luukkonen’s 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.”[1]

Luukkonen was slotted as Finland’s No. 3 goaltender behind Saros and Lankinen. His season stats—11-7-2 record, 2.73 goals-against average, and .903 save percentage over 21 games—had positioned him as a rising force among Finnish netminders.[1]

The injury is a blow not just for Luukkonen but for the Sabres, who had three Olympians selected initially, including Swede Rasmus Dahlin and American Tage Thompson. Finland’s quick pivot to Korpisalo highlights the fluidity of final preparations.

This marks the second major injury setback for the Finns, following Barkov’s knee ligament tear in Florida Panthers training camp last September. Such hurdles test the depth of a nation renowned for its goaltending pipeline.

Korpisalo steps up with NHL experience

Joonas Korpisalo brings a wealth of professional experience to the Olympic stage. Currently with the Bruins, he has posted a 10-8-1 record this season with a 3.12 GAA, .895 save percentage, and one shutout in 21 appearances.[1]

Acquired by Boston in a blockbuster trade, Korpisalo has thrived in high-pressure situations throughout his career, including stints with Columbus and Ottawa. His last international outing was the 2017 IIHF World Championship, where he saw limited action.

At 31, Korpisalo represents stability for a Bruins team pushing for playoffs, but the Olympics offer a chance to shine on the global stage. Teammate defenseman Henri Jokiharju, also Bruins-bound for Finland, could provide familiarity in net.

Fans recall Korpisalo’s standout 2023 playoffs with Ottawa, where he backstopped deep runs. His selection validates Finland’s trust in battle-tested veterans over unproven youth in crunch time.

Korpisalo’s addition aligns with the roster unveiled earlier this year, as covered in our breakdown of Finland and Sweden’s NHL-heavy lineups for Milan Cortina.

Finland’s formidable goaltending trio

With Korpisalo in the fold, Finland boasts one of the tournament’s strongest nets. Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators’ workhorse, anchors as the presumptive starter with elite consistency.

Kevin Lankinen, now with the Vancouver Canucks, offers proven backup reliability from his IIHF successes. All three goaltenders are Olympic rookies, a mix that echoes Finland’s 2022 upset gold without NHLers.

Here’s a snapshot of their 2025-26 NHL stats:

This depth positions Finland well against Group B rivals. Roster analysts have graded Finland’s overall lineup a C+ due to forward injuries, but the crease remains a strength, as noted in our Olympic roster grades.[4]

Finland’s preliminary round challenges

Team Finland opens the men’s tournament in Group B at Milano Sant’Julia Ice Arena. Their schedule sets up intriguing matchups early:

• February 11 vs. Slovakia (10:40 a.m. ET) – A tough qualifier-style test.[1]
• February 13 vs. Sweden – Rivalry renewed with NHL stars on both sides.
• February 14 vs. Italy – Hosts could feed off home crowd energy.

These games, broadcast on Peacock, USA Network, and Canadian outlets, will gauge Finland’s form before quarterfinals.[5]

Sweden looms as a medal favorite, while underdogs Slovakia and Italy add unpredictability. Finland’s 2022 prelim dominance without NHL talent bodes well.

The full tournament runs February 11-22, with NHL players absent until late February.

Navigating Barkov’s absence

Aleksander Barkov, the two-time Stanley Cup-winning Panthers captain, was among the first six players named but sidelined by a September knee injury. His leadership void shifts burden to forwards like Mikko Rantanen and Sebastian Aho.

Prospective captaincy now falls to others, testing team chemistry. Finland’s resilience shone in Beijing, but NHL integration brings new dynamics.

Injuries like Barkov’s and Luukkonen’s emphasize roster flexibility. For more on Finland’s adjusted lineup, see the NHL.com report.[1]

Despite setbacks, Finland’s pedigree as back-to-back Olympic medalists (gold 2022, silver 2018) fuels optimism.

Finland enters Milan Cortina as quiet contenders, blending veteran savvy with goaltending prowess. Korpisalo’s insertion bolsters an already deep blue line, setting the stage for another deep run. Watch for their Group B clashes to signal medal aspirations—what it means for the gold chase could hinge on netminding in tight games. With NHL stars united, expect fireworks through February 22.