Prospect Info: Devon Levi, G, Northeastern University (obtained in Reinhart deal) -Recalled from Roch Jan. 18th, 2025

[Ness]

in the good old days, we could offer him 5 mil per year to be our starter now

I was just thinking the same thing. God I hope he signs in Buffalo.

 

[HaNotsri]

He just made a save on a Jack Quinn shootout attempt I can't believe happened.

It was nuts.

Robin Lehner would have fallen off the earth.

 

[Zman5778]

Look at the development paths for recent big-name NA goalies.

Carter Hart - 1/2 season in the AHL, had a good first full season with Philadelphia, and has struggled since. Another year or 2 with Lehigh, and he might now be the "next Carey Price" he was touted to be, instead of a guy who last season shared the net with Martin bloody Jones.

Contrast with Demko, Oettinger, Hellebuyck. The first 2 played 3 full seasons in the NCAA against men. All spent a minimum of 1 full season in the AHL.

Your expectations for Levi are wildly optimistic, and potentially disastrous. I'm confident the Sabres don't share them.

Piggybacking on this: We've got a prime example in our recent-ish history: Ryan Miller.

3 years at MSU. 3 full years in the AHL (granted, one was a lockout year).

Goalies need patience unless they're extra special. Vasi needed a year in the K and half a year in the AHL. Lundqvist needed 4 full years in the SEL.

Patience. I know we're all starving for a winner......it's coming.....let's not rush one of the gems in the system.

 

[dortt]

Look at the development paths for recent big-name NA goalies.

Carter Hart - 1/2 season in the AHL, had a good first full season with Philadelphia, and has struggled since. Another year or 2 with Lehigh, and he might now be the "next Carey Price" he was touted to be, instead of a guy who last season shared the net with Martin bloody Jones.

Contrast with Demko, Oettinger, Hellebuyck. The first 2 played 3 full seasons in the NCAA against men. All spent a minimum of 1 full season in the AHL.

Your expectations for Levi are wildly optimistic, and potentially disastrous. I'm confident the Sabres don't share them.

And Barasso went right from high school to winning the Vezina. Turned out very well. Won a couple of cups in Pittsburgh

Point is, all development plans should be tailored to the particular player. Not everyone benefits from the same development plan

 

[Dingo44]

 

[Chainshot]

And Barasso went right from high school to winning the Vezina. Turned out very well. Won a couple of cups in Pittsburgh

Point is, all development plans should be tailored to the particular player. Not everyone benefits from the same development plan

Now, ask yourself, which path is more common? What is more realistic an expectation?

 

[Ace]

And Barasso went right from high school to winning the Vezina. Turned out very well. Won a couple of cups in Pittsburgh

This was four decades ago

 

[Zman5778]

And Barasso went right from high school to winning the Vezina. Turned out very well. Won a couple of cups in Pittsburgh

I don't think that's happened in the 40 years since. Says something.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't think that's happened in the 40 years since. Says something.

22 years ago - The Rick. And look how that turned out.

 

[dortt]

Now, ask yourself, which path is more common? What is more realistic an expectation?

doesn't matter which is common. What matters is how each individual is best served

Not common does not equal impossible. If uncommon = impossible, I wouldn't have had a ministroke at age 39

 

[Ace]

doesn't matter which is common. What matters is how each individual is best served

Not common does not equal impossible. If uncommon = impossible, I wouldn't have had a ministroke at age 39

the percentage chance is so low that creating another post about it was a statistical waste of time

 

[dortt]

the percentage chance is so low that creating another post about it was a statistical waste of time

and uncommon is not impossible

Glad you are not in risk management

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

and uncommon is not impossible

Glad you are not in risk management

We're talking goalie development, not the chance of an oil tanker running aground.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

We're talking goalie development, not the chance of an oil tanker running aground.

We’re not?

That’d be more interesting tbh

 

[Jim Bob]

doesn't matter which is common. What matters is how each individual is best served

Not common does not equal impossible. If uncommon = impossible, I wouldn't have had a ministroke at age 39

Levi has been a guy that has taken an atypical and conservative development path to date.

I doubt he is onboard with hitting warp speed on things after this season in college. He will likely want to spend next year in Rochester as he learns the pro game.

 

[Dingo44]

Levi has been a guy that has taken an atypical and conservative development path to date.

I doubt he is onboard with hitting warp speed on things after this season in college. He will likely want to spend next year in Rochester as he learns the pro game.

If all things go well...

2022-23
Sabres: Comrie
Anderson
UPL

Amerks: UPL
Subban
Houser

2023-24
Sabres: Comrie
UPL

Amerks: Levi
Portillo
Subban

2024-25
Sabres: UPL or Comrie
Levi/Portillo

Amerks:
Levi/Portillo
Leinonen

 

[TehDoak]

I'm just saying, hasek was like 36 and at the peak of his powers when Levi was born.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Sansbacon]

^^ they mixed up Kulich and Ostlund, but that is a pretty fantastic pool of first round talent.

 

[JLewyB]

^^ they mixed up Kulich and Ostlund, but that is a pretty fantastic pool of first round talent.

That was his rankings at the time of the draft. He had Kulich higher than ostlund

 

[Jim Bob]

That was his rankings at the time of the draft. He had Kulich higher than ostlund

And he had Poltapov as a 1st last year and Rosen outside the 1st, along with JJP in the 1st two years ago.

 

[Sansbacon]

That was his rankings at the time of the draft. He had Kulich higher than ostlund

Ahh, missed the key words “my” and “rankings”. Whoops, thanks for clarifying.

 

[Ace]

Ahh, missed the key words “my” and “rankings”. Whoops, thanks for clarifying.

It’s not just you. I saw Poltapov and was like…dude they took Rosen. Then I saw the number he had him at and was like…it was at 14 not 29…this guy is an idiot.

it was still another couple minutes before I learned I was the idiot all along

 

[MarkusKetterer]

It’s not just you. I saw Poltapov and was like…dude they took Rosen. Then I saw the number he had him at and was like…it was at 14 not 29…this guy is an idiot.

it was still another couple minutes before I learned I was the idiot all along

Acceptance is the first step to change :]

 

[Buffaloed]

Levi's always been responsible for his own development program and I'm sure Adams will give him some rights in that regard. Levi has always played at a lower level than his talent befits. He won't allow himself to be rushed. If the Sabres pressure him to sign, I expect him to bolt.