Buffalo, NY- On Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres announced that goaltender Devon Levi was being loaned to their AHL affiliate, Rochester. After a less then impressive start to the season, the decision to demote Levi was a necessary one, for Buffalo and the former 7th round selection (2020).
Let’s face it, the move can be viewed as a humiliating one for Levi by some, especially with today’s social media warriors. The fact of the matter is, upon learning of the move Levi, although disappointed, took it as an opportunity to perfect his game, as a challenge to get better and as a learning experience. In other words, he took it like a true professional.
Through 22 games played, Levi has appeared in nine of them, posting a 3-4 record and sporting a 3.73 GAA. That’s a full goal more then Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (UPL) who is 6-3 and has a 91% save percentage. More evident is the eye test, it’s clear UPL has been the best goaltender of the current rotation that also includes Eric Comrie who in just five starts was 1-3.
UPL has kept Buffalo in games with key saves at pivotal moments whereas the same cannot be said for Levi or Comrie.
The season has a long way to go, as teams enter the heart of the regular season schedule. Buffalo is 10-10-2, good for 22 points and sit in the 10th spot along with the New York Islanders and the Montreal Canadiens. There is a logjam of teams in “wild card” positions, but Buffalo is just three points back.
The Levi demotion is not a time to panic but a time to allow for players to clear their minds, most notably UPL and Comrie, who can now fully embrace their roles within the organization. UPL is the starter, Comrie will be the No. 1 backup and Levi will be playing night after night in the AHL, developing as he should.
Buffalo is in the thick of it, once healthy again, I expect this team to start making their push up the Eastern Conference standings.
The recent demotion of Buffalo Sabres Devon Levi to their AHL affiliate in Rochester was a needed transaction. The former 7th round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft came into the season with the opportunity to earn the starting job in net. Through nine games played his GAA is sitting at 3.73 and three wins.
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