Now that the Trade Deadline has come and gone, it's time to acknowledge the future goalie tandem in Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is already locked down as the starter for the future in Buffalo, but Devon Levi is on his way up. The Sabres prospect just won AHL Goaltender of the Month for February, after winning Player of the Week two just weeks ago.
Levi in February only allowed a total of 11 goals on 175 shots, good for a 5-2-0 record, a 1.66 goals-against average, and a .937 save percentage. Levi ranks in the top five in almost every goaltender statistical category and was named a 2025 AHL All-Star for the Rochester Americans.
Is Levi NHL ready again?
With the Sabres now losing their last five in a row, I think it is safe to say this team will be out of the postseason for the 14th year in a row. With that being said they have a back-up goalie in James Reimer who is 36-years-old and hasn’t been a starter in four to five years. Reimer hasn’t done badly during his time in Buffalo, sporting a 2-5-2 record, with a .903 save percentage, and a 2.68 goals against average.
The record may not be great, but he still sports better stats than some of the other goalies on the team. Obviously he has played less games, but Reimer hasn’t had much help from his defense. With Reimer coming in as a rental, I think it is time for them to move on and bring back Levi to end the year.
Levi has been lights out in Rochester with a record of 19-6-3 in 28 games for Rochester this season. His career record is 35-12-7 with a 2.30 GAA and a .923 save percentage. Levi just needs to find his groove at the NHL level and he can be a top goalie in this league, better yet the best duo between him and UPL.
Final Thoughts
This is Levi’s chance to show what he can do, I think leaving him down won’t help him the rest of the year. Giving him the chances he needs at the NHL level will prepare him for next season.
Even if the Sabres aren’t pleased with his production, they could send him back down for the AHL playoffs after the NHL season comes to an end. I think for someone who is looked at as one of your goalies of the future, he should be getting as many reps as possible.