Devon Levi Seizing Starters Job With The Oilers

The Buffalo Sabres after a summer filled with rumors of trading for Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, came back with the same three-headed monster of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis between the pipes for the upcoming 2026-27 season. 

It is yet to be determined whether this trio will have the same level of success they had last season, but based on the waiver claim of Ellis last October, the Sabres clearly determined that they had moved on from Devon Levi having a future with the organization. The 24-year-old was sent down to AHL Rochester after training camp because he was waiver exempt, and did not get an NHL look for the first time since signing with the Sabres in 2023.

Levi played 52 games with the Amerks last season, but his statistics declined from his first two AHL seasons. With his waiver exemption expired this season, he was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers on July 1 for a 2028 third round pick, and appeared to be a fallback option to veteran Tristan Jarry and Stanley Cup winning free agent Frederik Andersen. 

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Things have appeared to fall into place for Levi with his new club. Andersen, who has found himself with nearly a permanent residence on injured reserve in the latter stages of his career, is out till December with a knee injury. Jarry, who lost his job to Connor Ingram last season after being acquired from Pittsburgh due to poor play, gave up six goals in an overtime loss to Vancouver last week.

Edmonton coach Mike Babcock started Levi in the rematch with the Canucks and allowed seven goals on 22 shots in a 9-7 win, but fared much better in his second straight start against Seattle, and on Wednesday won his third straight, stopping 29 shots in a 5-2 win over Anaheim. His statistics are not exactly Vezina-level (3-0-0, 3.35 GAA, .863 save %), but at this point, Babcock is likely to keep going with the hot hand and give the former Sabre the opportunity he did not get with Buffalo the last two seasons.  

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