Sending Devon Levi to Rochester might have been the right move for his development as a young NHL goaltender. With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen performing exceptionally well lately, it became evident that Levi’s time in Buffalo was coming to a close for now. Young goalies like Levi require consistent playing time and game experience to adapt to the NHL’s pace and style of play.

At just 22 years old, Levi wasn’t getting the necessary playing time behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He’s made only seven of Buffalo’s 18 starts this season. Acquired in the trade that sent Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers, Levi has struggled in his early NHL career, posting a sub-.900 save percentage with just .896 over 37 career starts.

Goalies take time to develop

No two goalies develop the same way into becoming true NHL starters. A comparable example for the Sabres is Linus Ullmark, who spent time developing with Buffalo before winning the Vezina Trophy in his second season with the Boston Bruins.

Ullmark followed a path similar to Levi’s when entering the NHL. After Linus completed his final 35 games in Sweden, he moved to Buffalo. In the following season, Ullmark played 20 games for the Sabres before being sent down to Rochester, where he appeared in 83 games for the Americans. Additionally, he played one game in the 2016-2017 season and spent another full season with the Rochester Americans.

In his final season with Rochester, Ullmark posted his best stats, finishing with a career-low goals-against average of 2.44 and a career-high save percentage of .922. By the 2017-18 season, Ullmark became a full-time Sabre, eventually earning the starting role and later winning the Vezina Trophy. This doesn’t necessarily mean Levi is on track to win a Vezina in five years, but it underscores the importance of regular game action for his development—something he wasn’t getting behind UPL. Currently, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen ranks 21st in save percentage and 28th in goals-against average among NHL goaltenders this season.

Don’t let Levi’s flashy saves blind you from his struggles

It was only a matter of time before Levi was sent down to Rochester. His struggles were evident, particularly in Saturday night’s game against the Flyers. In one instance, Levi overcommitted to his left, leaving the right side open for the puck to slip past him with ease.

Levi’s aggressive style has frequently left him out of position, often resulting in open-net opportunities for opponents. His advanced stats further highlight his struggles. Levi ranks just above Stuart Skinner for the lowest goals saved above expected (GSAx), sitting at -6.8, indicating he’s allowing more goals than he’s preventing. In his seven NHL starts, Levi holds a 2-5 record, is allowing nearly four goals per game, and has the fourth-lowest save percentage among goaltenders with at least seven appearances this season.

Time in Rochester should benefit Levi’s development. Last season, he excelled with the Americans, winning 16 of 26 games while posting the ninth-lowest goals-against average and the second-highest save percentage in the AHL.

Lindy Ruff’s praise

Sending a player with Devon Levi’s competitive drive is a tough decision, especially knowing his determination to be the best in the NHL. However, the move to Rochester is being framed as the “best thing for him.” Ruff also emphasized that goalies take time to develop and that consistent game action is essential for Levi to continue improving.

“I think it was one game in a month. That’s not easy on a goaltender, especially a young one, because you need to find some rhythm. You need to experience the chaos of a game, which you don’t get in practice,” Ruff said. With hard work and regular game action, Levi will likely be back in Buffalo soon, hopefully contributing to a long playoff run.

How has Devon Levi fared through Month 1 of 2024-25?

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is clearly the Sabres’ starting goaltender this year, and he has performed well so far. However, as the season progresses and the schedule becomes more demanding, one lingering question is whether Devon Levi is ready to take on the challenge of being his backup for the rest of the year.

Levi has made four starts this season, with a 1-4 record in those games. His save percentage stands at .866%, and he has a goals-against average of 4.10.

In comparison, Luukkonen has a goals-against average of 2.83 over 12 games. While Levi has shown flashes of promise, Lindy Ruff may be seeking more consistency from him if he’s called upon to fill in for additional games, whether due to injury or to give the starter a break.

Levi was the starter in Buffalo’s first win of the season, a 5-2 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers. It was a significant momentum boost for the team and a key moment in the early part of their campaign.

Devon Levi made 23 saves in the team’s first win and his only on the year

The Sabres were trailing 1-0 in the game but bounced back thanks to a strong defensive effort. The 22-year-old Levi played a crucial role, making a key save in the second period that helped keep his team in the game and set the stage for their eventual 5-2 victory.

With Buffalo leading 3-1 at the start of the second period, Florida went on the power play. Right winger Mackie Samoskevich charged down the right side but was denied by Levi, who made a crucial stop to preserve the Sabres’ two-goal lead.

In his four losses, Levi has struggled, allowing a total of 13 goals across those games. Additionally, in the loss to Montreal, he came in in relief of Luukkonen and gave up two goals.

Currently, Luukkonen is day-to-day after sustaining an injury in the loss to the Canadiens. Levi may start against the Panthers, but head coach Lindy Ruff mentioned that Luukkonen could still be available, suggesting that a lengthy absence is not expected.

The Sabres chose to go with the younger Devon Levi over veteran James Reimer during the offseason. However, if Levi continues to struggle, the team could look to trade for or sign a third goaltender to provide more depth and support for the season.

Martin Jones, currently a free agent, has been in the NHL since 2010. He notably served as the starting goalie for the San Jose Sharks during the 2015-2016 season, when they made their first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. With his extensive experience, Jones could be a potential option for the Sabres if they seek to add depth to their goaltending.

If Buffalo continues to rely on Levi, he will need to step up and improve when called upon. The upcoming game against the Panthers will be a crucial opportunity for him to prove his worth and show that he can handle the responsibility in the crease.