GM Stan Bowman nearly targeted a different goaltender to anchor Edmonton’s revamped crease before betting on Devon Levi’s high-upside potential to stabilize the championship-contending Oilers roster this season.
According to Elliotte Friedman, "The Oilers considered a Stevenson trade before going with Devon Levi. His new teammates are raving about the ex-Sabre. It just never got off on the right foot for him in Buffalo, and it’s hard to imagine Levi with a better opportunity to make a massive impact on a good team."
This is excellent news for the Edmonton Oilers, since Levi almost wasn't going to be the player the organization went after. Apparently, they had their sights on Clay Stevenson, who just joined the Winnipeg Jets.
In his latest written 32 Thoughts column, Friedman asks, "The biggest question in the Hellebuyck saga is this: Does Clay Stevenson convince Winnipeg to ease their desire to get a goalie in any trade?"
The Oilers might have been thinking the same thing when they revamped their goaltending this offseason. Keeping only Tristan Jarry, Edmonton moved on from Connor Ingram, traded for Levi, and picked up Frederik Andersen via free agency. It was clear the Oilers felt they needed to make a change.
Friedman reports that GM Stan Bowman looked at Stevenson.
Oilers Went Levi, Jets Can Now Trade Hellebuyck
Ultimately, the Oilers chose Levi, and the Jets picked up Stevenson on waivers from the Washington Capitals on Monday, giving them a goaltender who could play in a solid tandem with former Oiler Stuart Skinner. It will be interesting to see if this triggers a blockbuster involving Connor Hellebuyck. It's also fascinating to wonder if Levi would have been part of any trade the Sabres and Jets made at the NHL Draft, given that the Jets were looking for a goaltender to come back as part of the deal.
Friedman believes Winnipeg had Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as their target, so perhaps not.
Hellebuyck still hasn't reported to camp, and it doesn't appear that he will. "If Stevenson convinces Winnipeg he’s legit, that’s a way to change focus and ease the stalemate."
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