G Devon Levi - Rochester Americans, AHL (2020, 212th, FLA; traded to BUF)

[threeVo]

Those aren’t stop gaps. They’re reasons they’ll extend the playoff drought another year this year…and next if that’s the plan. They can not go into the season with their young core and UPL/Comrie as their plan. I don’t care how cheap ownership is. It can not be done.

has nothing to do with cheap ownership

 

[Team Cozens]

Sabres play their most important game in a decade tomorrow with playoff aspirations on the line and it looks like Levi gets the start. Wow. Must watch TV.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Sabres play their most important game in a decade tomorrow with playoff aspirations on the line and it looks like Levi gets the start. Wow. Must watch TV.

You forgot: He would be doing so against the team that drafted him originally. Very spicy.

 

[Zman5778]

Levi is not ready for the NHL, he'll need at least a year or 2 in the AHL. That game was for him to burn is first ELC year, let's not kid ourselves.

If that game was just for burning an ELC year, why would Granato be thinking of starting him in Buffalo's biggest game since the last time we were in the playoffs?

It might not be the objectively "correct" course of action, but all signs right now are pointing towards Levi being given an absolutely legitimate chance to be the starting goalie at the start of next year.

 

[Michoulicious]

If that game was just for burning an ELC year, why would Granato be thinking of starting him in Buffalo's biggest game since the last time we were in the playoffs?

It might not be the objectively "correct" course of action, but all signs right now are pointing towards Levi being given an absolutely legitimate chance to be the starting goalie at the start of next year.

If that is the case, that is a big mistake IMO.

Still root for him to win that game however.

 

[Ace]

I hear all the opinions locally how this is a big risk. I think it’s exactly the opposite. If Levi gets shelled and loses…fans aren’t going to hold it against him. He’s young and that’s expected to happen sometimes. If he loses a close one no one is pointing at him either. If he wins he just won the most important game in over ten years for the franchise in over a decade in his second career start.

And if you want to say…well...the risk is to the season not fan perception or to Levi himself…I call bs on that one. Anderson has been away hurt. Granato’s options are Levi…who will get no flack for what happens and is the overwhelming person people want to play the game…or two godawful goalies who have been in a race for who fans want to run out of town first.

It’s not a bold call. It’s the safe one.

 

[brakeyawself]

If that is the case, that is a big mistake IMO.

Still root for him to win that game however.

I assume he would split time with a vet. But perhaps play more important games if he was playing well. He certainly, I don't think, can't go from playing college length seasons to playing a full time starting goalie season in the NHL. But if they split his starts with perhaps Luk, and maybe they keep Anderson around in a kind of 3rd gk, coaching role, then they won't have to wear him out, but can get him real meaningful game time, and possibly play him in higher pressure situations if he can handle it.

Which, I mean... so far so good no?

 

[Michoulicious]

I assume he would split time with a vet. But perhaps play more important games if he was playing well. He certainly, I don't think, can't go from playing college length seasons to playing a full time starting goalie season in the NHL. But if they split his starts with perhaps Luk, and maybe they keep Anderson around in a kind of 3rd gk, coaching role, then they won't have to wear him out, but can get him real meaningful game time, and possibly play him in higher pressure situations if he can handle it.

Which, I mean... so far so good no?

A 21 y old coming from the NCAA should not be a starter nor a backup in the NHL IMO.

 

[Matt Ress]

I hear all the opinions locally how this is a big risk. I think it’s exactly the opposite. If Levi gets shelled and loses…fans aren’t going to hold it against him. He’s young and that’s expected to happen sometimes. If he loses a close one no one is pointing at him either. If he wins he just won the most important game in over ten years for the franchise in over a decade in his second career start.

And if you want to say…well...the risk is to the season not fan perception or to Levi himself…I call bs on that one. Anderson has been away hurt. Granato’s options are Levi…who will get no flack for what happens and is the overwhelming person people want to play the game…or two godawful goalies who have been in a race for who fans want to run out of town first.

It’s not a bold call. It’s the safe one.

And the team will play a whole game in front of him

 

[brakeyawself]

I feel like that’s the path we’re going to take, right wrong or indifferent. The only reason not to go that route is if his confidence will take a hit by doing so, but bringing Johnson in and making another move or two to make the defense that much better will go a very long way towards building his confidence.

I say Keep one of Comrie or Luk, and then keep Anderson on as tutor and deep back up. Levi going to need the rest in between starts coming from college. Which I think will be his biggest issue, not the competition necessarily. Feel like Anderson would be more useful mentoring Levy than keeping both of Comrie Luka around in whatever capacity.

 

[Zman5778]

A 21 y old coming from the NCAA should not be a starter nor a backup in the NHL IMO.

In general I agree with this.

That said.....it is possible that this kid is just different. Its not probable. But I am trying to keep an open mind that Levi might just he built differently than what is typical.

 

[Kaners PPGs]

I think the best solution to the Buffalo goalie situation for next season is to move Comrie and sign an established veteran to a preferably 2-year contract. Something like Frederick Andersen for 3 years or even better 2 years. That way, Levi or UPL can take a 1B role or get maximum starts in the AHL. Something on a shorter term could be Varlamov or Raanta. And those are just UFAs. Last year we saw Samsonov get cut loose. Odds are someone else becomes available. Buffalo is in a tricky spot in that they want a better goalie to help contend for the playoffs but not at the expense of blocking the opportunity for Levi and UPL. Good times ahead for Buffalo!

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I think the best solution to the Buffalo goalie situation for next season is to move Comrie and sign an established veteran to a preferably 2-year contract. Something like Frederick Andersen for 3 years or even better 2 years. That way, Levi or UPL can take a 1B role or get maximum starts in the AHL. Something on a shorter term could be Varlamov or Raanta. And those are just UFAs. Last year we saw Samsonov get cut loose. Odds are someone else becomes available. Buffalo is in a tricky spot in that they want a better goalie to help contend for the playoffs but not at the expense of blocking the opportunity for Levi and UPL. Good times ahead for Buffalo!

I don't think they would move both Comrie and UPL, which is what this plan requires. The most likely scenario is that Levi is the starter in the AHL, UPL is moved, and Comrie backs up a veteran that they should be bringing in, like you describe.

 

[Kaners PPGs]

I don't think they would move both Comrie and UPL, which is what this plan requires. The most likely scenario is that Levi is the starter in the AHL, UPL is moved, and Comrie backs up a veteran that they should be bringing in, like you describe.

I think they should move Comrie, sign a vet, and let Levi and UPL fight for the 1B slot to start next year. Whoever loses the spot goes to the AHL. If either of them win the job outright, even better.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I think they should move Comrie, sign a vet, and let Levi and UPL fight for the 1B slot to start next year. Whoever loses the spot goes to the AHL. If either of them win the job outright, even better.

There are rumblings that the team is looking to move UPL, and they seem happy with Comrie as a backup so I’m not sure how likely that is.

 

[Dominance]

Kid could not quite individually will Buffalo to victory tonight in their biggest game of the season but he came damn close - just no run support.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Hmmm, Sabres might just have something

 

[aqsw]

Damn, that kid looked good!!!

 

[Panthaz89]

A 21 y old coming from the NCAA should not be a starter nor a backup in the NHL IMO.

He's been better than any of our NHL goalies.

 

[BB79]

Not much he could have done on the deflection goal that turned out to be the GWG tonight. Sabres offense let him down. Too many missed opportunities

 

[Ace]

The correct answer for next year is to acquire a good NHL goalie. I don’t even know what the question was…but that’s been the right f***ing answer since Adams got there and maybe his fourth off-season he’ll get a clue.

 

[aqsw]

I could imagine Levi (50 games)and Comrie (30 games) next year. They save about 6 million on a free agent starter and have a much better tandem. Upl can do the ahl time and mature. He needs it as much or more than Levi.
They probably make the playoffs and have their tandem of Levi and Upl in 24-25.
JMO

 

[Dubi Doo]

Kid could not quite individually will Buffalo to victory tonight in their biggest game of the season but he came damn close - just no run support.

Yeah. He played great.

The Sabres are an enticing team. They just need their kid line to grow a bit. Cozens, Quinn, and Peterka have some crazy potential, but they struggled last night largely in part because they were outmuscled. Power as well just needs to grow into his body.

Buffalo is closing the gap on teams fast. If Levi becomes that dude, then watch out!

 

[Boonk]

Levi is the real deal. Kids making saves like he’s been in this league for years in his 2nd ever game.

 

[toddkaz]

Levi is not ready for the NHL, he'll need at least a year or 2 in the AHL. That game was for him to burn is first ELC year, let's not kid ourselves.

Who was the last 21 y old goalie that went succesfully directly from the NCAA to the NHL without spending time in the AHL?

I don't remember.

They'll get, as they should, get a stop gap for a year or two and let the kid develop.

Why would you box him into something and not give him the opportunity to succeed in the NHL?

Clearly he wasn't given a game to burn his ELC or he wouldn't have played last night. I am sure the Sabres organization will give him the chance he deserves and not say oh he is a college goalie so he has to go to the AHL.

He will probably get another game or two minimum then there is the off season and pre-season. He looks to be better than Comrie and UPL but send him to the AHL? Doesn't make sense I am sure Levi has already had that conversation with management.