The Devon Levi Watch is officially on for fans of the Buffalo Sabres, and odds are looking good that he will sign once his 2022-23 NCAA Season ends.
Had Devon Levi signed with the Buffalo Sabres following his 2021-22 season at Northeastern, he could be on his way to making a cameo toward the end of this year if the Blue and Gold fell out of the playoff race. But he returned to college for another season to gain more experience, face and conquer adversity, and to compete in high-profile events like the Beanpot.
With the 2022-23 season in twilight mode, Levi sounds like he’s ready to take the next step and sign with the organization. Of course, there are still many in the fanbase unsure if he will sign with the team or spurn them once his college eligibility is up, a case similar to what we’re experiencing with Ryan Johnson.
But odds are, Levi will sign, likely within the next month. Here are three reasons backing that claim.
1 – Devon Levi is familiar with the Buffalo Sabres
If I were a pending signee and if there were a few players I already played alongside in the past on the team holding my rights, I’d sign with them without hesitation. And Levi happens to be familiar with Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs, and Dylan Cozens, as they were former teammates at the World Juniors for Team Canada.
Levi already has built-in chemistry with the trio, all of whom will likely play in Buffalo for a long time. Cozens, having signed his seven-year deal earlier this season, is a shoo-in, while Krebs and Quinn will eventually earn their own contract extensions thanks to their gaudy play.
2 – Levi is excited about the organization’s direction
From what he’s been saying, Devon Levi is fond of what general manager Kevyn Adams is doing for the Buffalo Sabres and it’s clear he wants to be part of it. Here is what he said about the issue:
"“I got to talk to (general manager) Kevyn Adams a few times. It’s really cool to see like how much of a great guy he has and how much he cares about the organization and bringing good people in and doing it the right way. So I already knew that they’re going to have a better year than everyone thought this year just based off the way Kevyn and the assistant GMs and the whole coaching staff runs just the whole program.” – via Buffalo Hockey Beat"
Clearly, Levi believes Adams is busy building a winner, and despite the highs and lows from the 2022-23 season. That said, we can all agree that the Sabres are a far-cry from the pitiful product they were when Adams first took over as general manager. It looks like Levi agrees.
3 – He has a legit chance to become a franchise goaltender
Who is the best goaltender on the Buffalo Sabres? No, it’s not the 27-year-old Eric Comrie, nor is it rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Though the two have had their moments, we’ve also seen plenty of struggles.
So far, 41-year-old Craig Anderson is the Sabres best goaltender. Problem is, Anderson won’t be there next season, and as it stands, fans may be forced to endure the duo comprising Luukkonen and Comrie in 2023-24 if Adams doesn’t bring in a new face.
And while I have no doubt Luukkonen will be better, Comrie is a proven liability, considering how he spent most of his career bouncing back and forth between the NHL and AHL, enjoyed a good 19-game stretch in Winnipeg, then dipped back into mediocrity in Buffalo.
This means Levi could likely open the 2024-25 season as the Blue and Gold’s starting goaltender. And there is even a chance he’ll make some appearances in 2023-24, preferably later in the season. But since he’s the best goaltender in the prospect pool, and it’s not even close, Levi has a golden opportunity in Buffalo.
Source: Prospect Devon Levi enjoying season of growth, excited about Sabres’ future by Bill Hoppe, BuffaloHockeyBeat.com