Biggest Offseason Question: Buffalo Sabres
Is Devon Levi The Real Deal?
Last season’s Sabres team won the hearts of hockey fans across North America with their explosive offense, wildly unpredictable pace of play, and evil goat head sweaters. They were a high-flying roller coaster of fun whether you were rooting for them or against them, as they created and surrendered scoring chances at an outrageous rate. An eye popping 590 total goals were scored in Sabres games, more than any other team in the league (the run-and-gun Oilers were a close second with 581) but Buffalo scored less than half of those goals themselves (293 vs 297 scored by opponents). These kids have the offense figured out, but to take the next step and break the longest playoff drought in NHL history they’ll need to keep the puck out of their own net.
While their defensive play was far from perfect, the biggest factor in Buffalo's ungodly goals against number was between the pipes. They played a rotating cast of backup goaltenders to the tune of an .890 team save percentage, tied with Detroit and Calgary for 23rd in the NHL, and they’re hoping to have found the solution to that problem in Devon Levi.
The 21 year old Canadian is one of the most highly touted goaltending prospects in the league. Through 2 seasons at Northeastern University, Levi recorded a 38-22-6 record while posting the second highest career save percentage in men’s NCAA history at .942, trailing only Connor Hellebuyck’s .946. Last year he signed his entry level contract with Buffalo following the end of his college season and made an instant impact in 7 games of action, going 5-2-0 and bringing the Sabres within a single point of making the playoffs. Imagine what this team would have looked like had he been there from the beginning of the season.
I’m a big believer in Levi, from his fundamentals in the crease, to his ability to read plays, and his mid-game meditations to which he credits his unshakeable focus.
He looks like the real deal, but it’s certainly fair to ask if he can sustain his form through a full NHL season. The Sabres need him to be a full-time starter, which means playing 40-50 games throughout the season. For comparison, he only played 66 games in his 2 seasons at Northeastern combined. Pair that with the increased pressure of the NHL and the outrageous shooting talent he’ll face, and it’s easy to see why his success is not a certainty.
On the blue line, the additions of Connor Clifton and Eric Johnson should pair nicely with another year of development for young studs Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin to solidify Buffalo’s defensive zone. If they can cut down on the chances against, and Levi can continue along his current trajectory while maintaining his form throughout the season, I see absolutely no reason the Sabres don’t finish near the top of a wide-open Atlantic Division.
