The Buffalo Sabres briefly returned to the 0.500 column in points before sustaining a narrow loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Therefore, things are looking bleaker for a team that just recently notched its first three-game winning streak of the season, so it would make sense to sell off aging assets like Erik Johnson at the trade deadline.
However, since the Sabres are a young team that we know can play better than they have this year - just look at what they accomplished last season - it makes no sense to rule out the possibility that they end up buying perhaps one player at the deadline who could help them win games come 2024-25.
Counterintuitive? Maybe, but in professional sports, you never want to rule out anything, so let’s assume the Sabres look to acquire one asset at the deadline while seeking to sell off others. If they do buy, expect them to move at least one prospect as compensation, which is normal. However, there are a few prospects they cannot afford to sell.
Many prospects in the pool should become full-time Sabres at some point
Devon Levi is one prospect who stands out more than any other. Slated to be a full-time starting goaltender in Buffalo this season, Levi hasn’t been as effective as many envisioned, which led to him playing full-time in Rochester. While he had some rough outings in Rochester, Levi has been stellar for the most part, posting a 0.928 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA to go with a 6-3-3 record.
He’s outplaying current No. 1 goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen when you compare the latter’s numbers in Rochester. And considering how well Luukkonen has grown into a legitimate NHL netminder, Levi’s numbers are encouraging.
We know that Levi is a lock to stay in the Sabres organization, so who are the other three untouchable prospects Buffalo cannot trade IF they decide to buy at the deadline.