The Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers made an underrated trade during the summer of 2024. The two sides swapped forwards as prospect Matthew Savoie went to Edmonton in exchange for Ryan McLeod, a middle-six center who had a breakout season with Buffalo this year.
You could see both of these teams make another trade this summer. The Oilers have had a massive issue over the past few seasons that they have not fixed. That issue is their goaltending.
For the third consecutive season, the Oilers' goaltending in the postseason was their downfall and the reason they failed to hoist the cup. The team’s starter, Stuart Skinner, struggled and was replaced by Calvin Pickard multiple times this postseason.
The Sabres have Devon Levi, who is one of the organization’s top prospects and is projected to be a future starter in Buffalo. However, it seems the Sabres aren’t convinced with his play, as they have not only not re-signed him, but they also signed goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year deal, which means Levi will most likely start in the AHL once again. Levi spent the past season dominating the AHL, but the Sabres are concerned with his play at the NHL level.
The Oilers would give their goaltending a massive boost if they could acquire Levi and add him to their rotation. Would Levi solve the issue for the Oilers? Most likely not, but he would give them a massive boost as the guys who are already there can’t get the job done.
In a few years, Levi could be the starter the Oilers need, and the Sabres could get a nice return for Levi, the Sabres could get a possible draft pick, and one of the Oilers' top prospects, say Aiden Park or Petr Hauser, for example.
The Sabres have been letting Levi develop for a while now, but I am curious if the Sabres think the young prospect will ever be ready. Trading Levi could be the best option for the Sabres going forward if the return is worth it.