Confirmed with Link: Sabres sign G Devon Levi to a 3 year ELC

[KiwiGriff]

This literally changes everything, that's how good I think this kid can be.

My kids have watched a lot of How to Train Your Dragon … ergo I have heard a lot of How to Train Your Dragon.

I’m guessing Levi gets a couple of looks in the NHL this season. Then most likely Rochester next year and full time NHL for 24-25?

 

[brian_griffin]

Probably a stupid question but I am guessing he had a student visa which is why he would have to go through immigration?

Yes. Student visa is different from work visa.

Tribute to Mike Peca

No love for Larry Playfair?

 

[Panthaz89]

I'd rather have him play next year when we hopefully get a revamped defense. If he gets shoved into a couple games where we have 3 AHL defenders that isn't going to really help him much.

 

[old kummelweck]

Wonder if Anderson would have any interest in a goaltending position when he retires (after this season I assume)?

Ha, I just mentioned this in the goatlending thread

It is an interesting proposition, but not sure I see him as a student of the position. His style is antiquated and you don't see him employing any modern-day techniques.

If anything, maybe as a mental coach for the team, which is strongly needed, though I am not sure he has the chops for that either. That also requires some subject matter expertise and schooling.

 

[dortt]

It is an interesting proposition, but not sure I see him as a student of the position. His style is antiquated and you don't see him employing any modern-day techniques.

If anything, maybe as a mental coach for the team, which is strongly needed, though I am not sure he has the chops for that either. That also requires some subject matter expertise and schooling.

I don't care if his style is antiquated. When well rested, it works

 

[elchud]

1 game this season for Levi. More interested to see if UPL can get things on track the rest of the way. Let Devon cook in Rochester for two full seasons...and sign a guy this offseason so they don't get the urge to rush the kid.

 

[old kummelweck]

I don't care if his style is antiquated. When well rested, it works

We were talking about bringing him in as a goalie coach. Comrie, UPL, and now Levi all play a completely different style. I just don't see him coming in and providing technical direction. Game prep, managing the mental game, leadership - sure.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[Chainshot]

Hope he's worth the wait.

 

[RecycledEichel]

Hope Adams gets a bunch of defensemen in here and Rochester this off-season for our guys and Levi

 

[Archie Lee]

Hope Adams gets a bunch of defensemen in here and Rochester this off-season for our guys and Levi

I understand the comment, in light of how we have played defensively most of the year and lately in particular. We likely have a guy or two on D who could be upgraded or moved down the line-up. I really do think though that maturity and experience will be as big or bigger factors in our overall defensive game improving (defence and forwards).

That said, every time I hear Adams speak it is clear they are following a process and that no single bad game or stretch of games (and, conversely, no good stretch either) is going to move them off course. Right or wrong this is being built from within. Levi is the latest piece added. Johnson will be next (I hope) and I think he will be in our top 6 next year.

 

[Jim Bob]

I think too many people are expecting Levi to jump straight into the NHL and play like Miller did after 150+ AHL games.

The reactions if Levi looks really bad in a start or two in Buffalo are going to be ugly.

 

[Chainshot]

I think too many people are expecting Levi to jump straight into the NHL and play like Miller did after 150+ AHL games.

The reactions if Levi looks really bad in a start or two in Buffalo are going to be ugly.

Some may not remember the hockey press in town questioning Miller's fortitude after his first game against Detroit where he was visibly upset after the loss. Of the questions about him possibly not being all that. Or they have ignored how long it took for him and Hellebuyck who are the guys compared to Levi to get into the NHL as starters (about 100 games each if one removes Miller's lockout year in the AHL).

Hell, even if he fast-tracks like Jonathan Quick did, Quick spent half his first pro season in the ECHL and got roughed up in his 3 NHL games.

TIME. The kid still needs time.

And now that he's signed, the team can make any sort of move they want to shore up the goaltending.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

Some may not remember the hockey press in town questioning Miller's fortitude after his first game against Detroit where he was visibly upset after the loss. Of the questions about him possibly not being all that. Or they have ignored how long it took for him and Hellebuyck who are the guys compared to Levi to get into the NHL as starters (about 100 games each if one removes Miller's lockout year in the AHL).

Hell, even if he fast-tracks like Jonathan Quick did, Quick spent half his first pro season in the ECHL and got roughed up in his 3 NHL games.

TIME. The kid still needs time.

And now that he's signed, the team can make any sort of move they want to shore up the goaltending.

Amazing how few people realize this

 

[Chainshot]

Amazing how few people realize this

I mean, I would love it if he was some sort of unicorn who could jump straight into the NHL and succeed. That would fly in the face of years of evidence and also outside of Levi's own development process but hey, magic might happen. And shy of something miraculous, the reality is probably much more like 1.5 years or more of toil in the AHL before he's ramped up to being their #1.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Comrie's best purpose is to get dunked on for another season so Levi gets time in Rochester. Ideally having a goalie with another year under contract would have Levi coming in for significant starts in 2025-26.

 

[Diaspora]

The year they win the Cup?

 

[Duddy]

Now it's time to get a starting goalie until he is ready.

 

[jcbeze]

1 game this season for Levi. More interested to see if UPL can get things on track the rest of the way. Let Devon cook in Rochester for two full seasons...and sign a guy this offseason so they don't get the urge to rush the kid.

Spoiler alert: he won't

 

[dortt]

Some may not remember the hockey press in town questioning Miller's fortitude after his first game against Detroit where he was visibly upset after the loss. Of the questions about him possibly not being all that. Or they have ignored how long it took for him and Hellebuyck who are the guys compared to Levi to get into the NHL as starters (about 100 games each if one removes Miller's lockout year in the AHL).

Hell, even if he fast-tracks like Jonathan Quick did, Quick spent half his first pro season in the ECHL and got roughed up in his 3 NHL games.

TIME. The kid still needs time.

And now that he's signed, the team can make any sort of move they want to shore up the goaltending.

That wasn't his first game. Miller played a few games in 2002-2003 and he looked like an NHL goalie. The Detroit game was an outlier for his early career

 

[Chainshot]

That wasn't his first game. Miller played a few games in 2002-2003 and he looked like an NHL goalie. The Detroit game was an outlier for his early career

When did he establish himself as a starter? Yes, the Wings game was his third NHL game of his 2nd pro season and he was literally in tears after getting shelled. He wasn't ready immediately. Hellebuyck wasn't ready immediately. Jonathan Quick wasn't ready immediately. The likelihood that Levi is ready is miniscule.

 

[oldgoalie]

When did he establish himself as a starter? Yes, the Wings game was his third NHL game of his 2nd pro season and he was literally in tears after getting shelled. He wasn't ready immediately. Hellebuyck wasn't ready immediately. Jonathan Quick wasn't ready immediately. The likelihood that Levi is ready is miniscule.

so you're saying there's a chance? ;-)

 

[Chainshot]

so you're saying there's a chance? ;-)

Yes. A small one.

 

[5 Minute Major]

I think too many people are expecting Levi to jump straight into the NHL and play like Miller did after 150+ AHL games.

The reactions if Levi looks really bad in a start or two in Buffalo are going to be ugly.

How will the reactions be if the kid looks like he belongs in a start or two?

Comrie's best purpose is to get dunked on for another season so Levi gets time in Rochester. Ideally having a goalie with another year under contract would have Levi coming in for significant starts in 2025-26.

Comrie’s best purpose is to get waived or traded so we can attempt to get a legitimate starting goalie in here this off-season. Want to see a team get frustrated? Trot the same shit out there two seasons in a row.

 

[dortt]

When did he establish himself as a starter? Yes, the Wings game was his third NHL game of his 2nd pro season and he was literally in tears after getting shelled. He wasn't ready immediately. Hellebuyck wasn't ready immediately. Jonathan Quick wasn't ready immediately. The likelihood that Levi is ready is miniscule.

Miller played 15 games in 2002-2003. That detroit meltdown in 2003-2004 wasn't his first pro game