The Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Devon Levi to an entry-level contract. Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams is delighted to sign the highly touted Levi. After the Northeastern Huskies got eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Hockey East Championships, Levi was set to get his contract. The signing puts a conclusion on a very impressive college career for the young netminder.
IT’S OFFICIAL 🙌
We have signed goaltender Devon Levi to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Details: https://t.co/22Xft5qeGB#LetsGoBuffalo | @DevonLevi33 pic.twitter.com/HENZ722heq
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 17, 2023
Buffalo Sabres Prospect Devon Levi Signs Entry-Level Contract
Devon Levi has never appeared in a professional hockey game and yet has a splendid resume. First of all, in 2019-20, playing Junior A hockey with the Carleton Place Canadians. Levi had an astonishing record of 34-2-1. This had him very sought after by NCAA teams, where he landed at Northeastern.
Next, he was brilliant with Team Canada at the 2021 World Junior Tournament. His numbers were nothing short of spectacular, including an incredible .964 save percentage and three shutouts. Levi ended the tournament with a silver medal. He missed the 2020-21 season at Northeastern with an injury sustained at the tournament. However, over the next two seasons, Levi amassed a brilliant career. In 2021-22, the goalie set the single-season school record with 10 shutouts. He totalled 16 shutouts over his two seasons, posting a 38-22-6 record in 66 games played.
The long-awaited Buffalo Sabres prospect signing his first contract is exciting. The Montreal native was selected 212th overall in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers. Moreover, his decision to return for his second season at Northeastern this past season was probably a smart one. Goaltenders do tend to take a little longer to develop. Plus, his team was hoping for a better outcome. Despite his impressive 2021-22 numbers, the Huskies were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, this year still ended in disappointment being dropped in the Quarterfinals.
What this Means for the Sabres
For the organization, they hope Levi can be the face of the future between the pipes. The team is loaded with budding, young superstars, such as Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Tage Thompson, among others. For the 2022-23 campaign, the goaltending was a bit of a piecemeal strategy. Craig Anderson was statistically the team’s best of three goalies. Although Anderson may be a good mentor, it is unlikely he will be around much longer in the NHL.
Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen were the other two netminders. Of the two, the rookie Luukkonen looks to have the opportunity to develop with the organization. Despite a high goals-against-average of 3.54, he did have a solid record of 15-10-3. And, that includes taking home rookie of the month honours in January. Therefore, the organization is banking on the tandem of Luukkonen and Levi to lead the young core for years to come.
Main photo: Allan Jung/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK
