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

[BruinsBtn]

Give Buffalo's scouts credit.

 

[Breakers]

I’m not sure you have as compelling an argument as you think. McKay and Levi have nearly identical GAA, but Levi’s sv pct is 23 pts higher. Shooters score on Levi once every 23 shots. Once every 14 shots for McKay. That’s the difference between .935 and .958.

Does that instantly mean he is more important to his team because of save percentage Points than other players.

The previous posters argument was “talent” while Minnesota state has 1 or 2 drafted player on their roster, compared to 7 or 8 for northeastern and northeastern had 28 ranked schedule of strength compared to 8th for Minnesota state or 5th for North Dakota with sanderson. SOS can’t be ignored

Long Island university has what 3 wins and isnt even in a conference

instantly saying no one is more important to their team in college hockey??? I’m not making that quick jump to judgement yet.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

instantly saying no one is more important to their team in college hockey???

Nah, he's right.

Levi is the most important player to his team in college hockey, and it's not even remotely close.

 

[lidstromiscool]

I disagree. Those players are great but they play on teams with much more talent and better systems than Northeastern. I believe if you removed Levi from Northeastern than the results would change more drastically than removing any single player from another team in college hockey.

100% this. You could replace McKay with any average college goalie and Mankato's record would be the same. McKay will likely be one of the reasons Mankato chokes again. Devi looked great against Providence, but other than that has played a pretty easy schedule. Will be interesting to see how Northeastern does in the 2nd half and playoffs.

 

[Mase]

Give Buffalo's scouts credit.

For including him in the trade for Reinhart?

I would think the The Panthers scouting dept(with a big nod to Louongo) would deserve credit for even drafting him, when it looked like he would go undrafted, but ok.

Yes, Buffalo deserves credit for wanting him in return for Reinhart(along with the pick).

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

For including him in the trade for Reinhart?

I would think the The Panthers scouting dept(with a big nod to Louongo) would deserve credit for even drafting him, when it looked like he would go undrafted, but ok.

Yes, Buffalo deserves credit for wanting him in return for Reinhart(along with the pick).

YEs, Florida would get the main credit here since it's much more difficult to scout amateurs. But NHL scouts have been high on him much longer than internet/HF Boards scouts. His stock had been skyrocketing leading up to the trade.

 

[Mase]

YEs, Florida would get the main credit here since it's much more difficult to scout amateurs. But NHL scouts have been high on him much longer than internet/HF Boards scouts. His stock had been skyrocketing leading up to the trade.

No argument there, I just wasn't sure if the poster I was quoting was aware that he wasn't drafted by Buffalo, when they said "credit should be given to Buffalo's Scouts", which it should, for having the foresight to include him in the trade(which I stated). Probably just perception on my part.

I'm sure Levi will be great for which ever organization he finally gets a chance to play for in the NHL.

 

[TheHelmet]

Does that instantly mean he is more important to his team because of save percentage Points than other players.

The previous posters argument was “talent” while Minnesota state has 1 or 2 drafted player on their roster, compared to 7 or 8 for northeastern and northeastern had 28 ranked schedule of strength compared to 8th for Minnesota state or 5th for North Dakota with sanderson. SOS can’t be ignored

Long Island university has what 3 wins and isnt even in a conference

instantly saying no one is more important to their team in college hockey??? I’m not making that quick jump to judgement yet.

If the huskies had a tougher schedule would you say he is the most important to his team?

 

[member 334057]

Does that instantly mean he is more important to his team because of save percentage Points than other players.

The previous posters argument was “talent” while Minnesota state has 1 or 2 drafted player on their roster, compared to 7 or 8 for northeastern and northeastern had 28 ranked schedule of strength compared to 8th for Minnesota state or 5th for North Dakota with sanderson. SOS can’t be ignored

Long Island university has what 3 wins and isnt even in a conference

instantly saying no one is more important to their team in college hockey??? I’m not making that quick jump to judgement yet.

Something of note regarding McKay. He has impressive numbers, however he also faces considerably fewer shots per game on average. McKay has faced an average of just under 18 shots per game. He has only faced 25 shots or more 2 times this season, and has 5 games where he has faces 15 or less. He had a shut-out where he faced a whopping 5 shots and another where he faced 9.

Levi on the other hand has faced an average of just over 28 shots per game. He has faced less than 20 shots just 1 time this season, and has faced 25 or more 14 times.

Additionally they have both played ranked teams 6 times. So to say McKay faces tougher competition is slightly misleading. Yes they played U Mass and St. Cloud state which by the way at the time were ranked 1 and 2 respectively and are now ranked 10 and 4 so neither are probably as good as initial projections, but they have also played juggernauts like Ferris State (6 wins) and St. Thomas (1 win).

Right now I'd say Levi has a better case than McKay.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

YEs, Florida would get the main credit here since it's much more difficult to scout amateurs. But NHL scouts have been high on him much longer than internet/HF Boards scouts. His stock had been skyrocketing leading up to the trade.

I disagree. In his draft year, I had Levi ranked in the 70s, and others like @IHaveNoCreativity also had him much higher than where he was picked. The fact that Levi fell to 212th shows that NHL scouts really weren't all that high on him.

 

[Breakers]

If the huskies had a tougher schedule would you say he is the most important to his team?

The claim was most important to his team, which is one of the tougher claims to quantify.

I mean take Sanderson, Lost all 5 of their top 5 scorers, and 7 of their top 10.
lost 5 of their top 6 forwards and their top pairing defense tandem
that pretty significant while playing in the toughest conference in hockey.

Sanderson has played games with 30+ minutes, and leads his team in scoring despite playing less games
this while having a top 5 SOS in all of division 1 hockey

and you have guys saying AINEC to most important player to his team. Pretty easy to spot who does and doesnt watch college hockey.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I disagree. In his draft year, I had Levi ranked in the 70s, and others like @IHaveNoCreativity also had him much higher than where he was picked. The fact that Levi fell to 212th shows that NHL scouts really weren't all that high on him.

I said "leading up to the trade," which was years after the time period you're talking about. If you read my post you'll see I only credit FLA during his draft year.

 

[Dominance]

.958 is truly outrageous.

.958!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s the kind of numbers that are truly unsustainable…but he’s sustaining them.

 

[TheHelmet]

The claim was most important to his team, which is one of the tougher claims to quantify.

I get what you are saying in most important to his team, but I still think he is going to be college hockey goaltender of the year over the other guy you mentioned.

 

[elchud]

Dryden McKay got his 8th shutout tonight

Sanderson and ND lost all 5 of their leading scorers last year and they are back in the top 10 while he leads them in scoring

other players are just as important

Fair.

Levi stands out because of his youth and 7th round status.

McKay is 24 years old and a 4 consecutive year starter, and Sanderson is a 5th overall on a team with 9 drafted players.

While I think Levi is more "valuable" than those two, by a bit, a case can be made that Owen Savory is more valuable than all 3.

Not that it matters, but having a Hobey Baker winner playing in the NHL eventually is a factor in voting, and Levi seems a lock for that, and McKay/Savory do not.

 

[Breakers]

Fair.

Levi stands out because of his youth and 7th round status.

McKay is 24 years old and a 4 consecutive year starter, and Sanderson is a 5th overall on a team with 9 drafted players.

While I think Levi is more "valuable" than those two, by a bit, a case can be made that Owen Savory is more valuable than all 3.

Not that it matters, but having a Hobey Baker winner playing in the NHL eventually is a factor in voting, and Levi seems a lock for that, and McKay/Savory do not.

Talking about the Hobey Baker is different,
And talking about richter is different

Levi will probably win the Richter award as of right now, but pairwise and RPI hurts him in Hobey Baker voting, so a strong beanpot and NCAA should help a lot.

and NHL playing doesnt factor in voting.

 

[Mase]

I disagree. In his draft year, I had Levi ranked in the 70s, and others like @IHaveNoCreativity also had him much higher than where he was picked. The fact that Levi fell to 212th shows that NHL scouts really weren't all that high on him.

Yes, and the only reason The Panthers drafted him was on the recommendation of Louongo, as per Bill Zito, Lou really went to bat for Levi.

 

[elchud]

Talking about the Hobey Baker is different,
And talking about richter is different

Levi will probably win the Richter award as of right now, but pairwise and RPI hurts him in Hobey Baker voting, so a strong beanpot and NCAA should help a lot.

and NHL playing doesnt factor in voting.

Well....

The last 8 winners are all bona fide NHL players.

Look at the winners before the last 8.

I am completely aware that NHL future does not officially play a role in Hobey Baker selection.

But when you have a history of non-descript winners, subjective inclinations can make an unofficial factor into a critical one.

Yes this is slightly conspiratorial, but its based on the past 8 years versus the many many many years before that and an archaic sounding award maybe needing to be more relevant.

Edit: Specifically, only 8 or 9 out of the 1st 33 HBs are at the NHL level as the last 8.

 

[elchud]

The existence of Richter does mean Hobey Baker not so likely for goalie. In the same way as Vezina/Hart and CyYoung/MVP.

It would take Hasek or Eckersley dominance, and Levi...not sure he is there. But maybe.

 

[BruinsBtn]

For including him in the trade for Reinhart?

I would think the The Panthers scouting dept(with a big nod to Louongo) would deserve credit for even drafting him, when it looked like he would go undrafted, but ok.

Yes, Buffalo deserves credit for wanting him in return for Reinhart(along with the pick).

It takes a lot more courage to trade a first-line player for a prospect you believe in, than to use a 7th round pick on him.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

From what I've watched he's extremely good at tracking broken plays.

 

[Mase]

It takes a lot more courage to trade a first-line player for a prospect you believe in, than to use a 7th round pick on him.

I guess that's one way of looking at it, sure.

 

[EnglishJet]

I don’t mean to change the topic here, but do we think his guy can translate this to the NHL? I know predicting goalies is tough but figured I’d ask.

 

[canuck2010]

Hahahahaha your list has the USHL ahead of the CHL. Its officially worthless. Its so incredibly biased what a joke. Its also based on players going NCAA not quality of team if you think USHL team quality is better than the CHL dont bother responding.

Agreed. Pretty flawed criteria. They also make the point that "the majority of NHL free agents come through the USHL and the NCAA" The vast majority of those guys are nothing more than roster fillers and minor leaguers.

 

[letsgrowcactus]

Said it when the Reinhart trade went down - it was not quite as lopsided as many people thought. Great prospect and it's awesome to see him doing so well. Best luck to him.