Buffalo Sabres goalie may have requested trade, Oilers will be calling
Photo credit: Kyle Ross - Imagn Images
There's disputed reports that Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi may have q requested a trade, which should interest the Edmonton Oilers.
The goaltending being a position of weakness has become a major topic of discussion for the Oilers once again this season, with Calvin Pickard owning the worst save percentage in the NHL. The Oilers are getting to a point where they may be forced into a move.
Sabres goaltender Devon Levi may have requested a trade, says NHL insider
On the most recent edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that there's been some noise that Levi has requested a trade. While Friedman isn't sure that's 100% true, there is credibility to Levi being unhappy in Buffalo.
There's been some reports that Levi has asked for a trade. I don't believe that. But I do think the Sabres know that -
When they signed him, they told him there was going to be a path for him to play.
I think the Sabres know that after a couple years in the AHL, and he's generally played very well there, recent moments excluded. It feels heavy in Buffalo right now.
- Elliotte Friedman
When they signed him, they told him there was going to be a path for him to play.
I think the Sabres know that after a couple years in the AHL, and he's generally played very well there, recent moments excluded. It feels heavy in Buffalo right now.
- Elliotte Friedman
Now 23 years old, Levi was considered a top goalie prospect with two incredible college seasons after being drafted in the 7th round of 2020.
Traded to the Sabres in 2021, Levi was immediately elevated to Buffalo and fared well for a very young rookie. He played a total of 30 NHL games with a save percentage over .900.
Starting in the 2023-24 season Levi has bounced between the NHL and AHL as the Sabres have mostly rolled with Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen as their starter, and signed multiple veteran backups too. Levi played two incredible years in the AHL, posting a .927 and .919 save percentage, but still wasn't added to Buffalo's roster.
Levi's proved himself entirely in the AHL to this point, but isn't being given the path to playing time that he's earned. It's possible he's disgruntled with Sabres management like many other players, and would welcome a move.
Plenty of Oilers fans have mentioned Levi has a potential solution for Edmonton's crease in recent years. If he's available for trade now, this could be their shot to get him.
The Edmonton Oilers would clearly prefer a proven veteran goaltender to solidify their crease - but there's none of that on the market and they've got limited cap space to work with. They may have to get creative, and Levi could be a high-ceiling bet.
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