You probably won't find a more motivated player when NHL training camps open than Devon Levi, a 24-year-old goalie acquired by the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
The Oilers sent a 2028 third-round draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Levi and a 2028 seventh-round selection, bringing an end to the Canadian goaltender's five-year tenure in Western New York.
Levi has been eagerly awaiting a full-time opportunity at the NHL level for awhile, and there was speculation he wasn't pleased with being sent back to the AHL's Rochester Americans at the start of the 2025-26 season. He remained with the Amerks for the entire campaign.
Edmonton likely isn't done altering its goalie depth chart for next season but, as it stands, the former prized prospect is penciled in to compete with Tristan Jarry for the starting role. Jarry struggled after being dealt to the Oilers in December, posting an .857 save percentage in 19 games.
Meanwhile, Levi has an impressive track record dating back to his college career at Northeastern University, where he twice won the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA's best goalie. He compiled a terrific .942 SV% in 66 games for the Huskies.
The 2020 seventh-round selection — he was drafted by the Florida Panthers and was later sent to the Sabres in the Sam Reinhart trade — made an immediate jump to the NHL with Buffalo and held his own, recording a .905 SV% in seven contests late in the 2022-23 season.
Levi failed to retain an NHL role with the Blue and Gold, but his numbers at the AHL level remained promising. He finished his three-year run with the Amerks owning a .914 SV% in 120 regular-season games and a .917 mark in 16 playoff outings.
He'd have to clear waivers to head back to the AHL next season, which should guarantee him a spot on Edmonton's roster and, barring a trade for an unquestioned starter, there's a realistic path for the Quebec native to make a serious bid for the starting spot.
Although some analysts have downplayed Levi's upside because he's undersized (6'0'', 192 pounds), his combination of athleticism and puck tracking have carried him a long way in the sport.
The Sabres, who have Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis under contract for 2026-27, didn't have a spot available for him, which allowed the Oilers to make a low-risk, high-reward addition to their goalie-needy roster.
It wouldn't be a shock if Levi takes that long-awaited opportunity and runs with it.
Buffalo Sabres' crowded goaltender depth chart left a Devon Levi trade as the clear option
The Sabres signaled their uncertainty about Levi's long-term outlook prior to last season when they claimed Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. He played well in the club's No. 3 role with a .903 SV% in 16 appearances.
Ellis' strong play combined with Levi's waiver status created little pathway to keep the previously highly touted netminder in the organization.
It's possible the Sabres make a blockbuster trade to upgrade their goalie situation — they've been consistently linked to the Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck in recent days — but that type of deal would likely include UPL and leave the club in the same spot roster wise.
Perhaps more than anything else, however, it was just time.
Levi had nothing left to prove in the AHL and deserves a chance to showcase his talent in the NHL. Only time will tell whether that's as a starter or a backup, but he's done enough to at least warrant spending an entire campaign with the big club.
Sure, the Sabres could have brought four goalies to training camp and then tried to sneak Levi or Ellis through waivers, but that wouldn't have been fair to either player. Trading Lyon would be another option, but the goalie carousel has already been spinning, leaving uncertain value for the journeyman.
Now the situation is pretty cut and dry. Buffalo can head into its Atlantic Division title defense with Luukkonen, Lyon and Ellis, or the Blue and Gold can include UPL in a high-profile trade for a more proven netminder like Hellebuyck.
At the same time, Levi heads to Edmonton and will attempt to seize his chance to prove the Sabres should have put their faith in him all along.
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