Annual expectations thread 2023/24: #27 Devon Levi

[dudacek]

Levi topped off a 2nd straight Richter Award as the NCAA’s top goalie with a 5-2 run for the Sabres in the midst of a precarious playoff race where he posted an adjusted save percentage (according to Clear Sight Analytics) that would have put him just inside the top 10 for NHL starting goalies). For 3 straight years he’s been selected to Team Canada (WJC, Olympics, Worlds). He’s played about as well as any goalie could be expected to in whatever situation he’s been placed in and has clearly been the Sabres’ preferred choice in net since he arrived.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=226016

It’s not that a rookie goalie can’t play 50 games; it’s happened 13 times since 2000, and as recently as last year with Calder Trophy finalist Stuart Skinner. Karel Vejmelka and Alex Nedeljkovic each did it 2 years ago, and 28 rookies goalies have played at least 40 over that span. The issue is a 21-year-old rookie doing it. That’s happened exactly once this century: Steve Mason with Columbus in 2008/09. Very, very few goalies step into a prominent NHL role without at least some time apprenticing in the minor leagues. Levi may have a history of doing things his way, but if he starts the year as at least a co-starter, he’ll be treading ice mostly skated by names like Price, Luongo and Fleury.

What do you expect from Levi this year?

[French Collection]

I think the second option is the most realistic but I chose the first because he has that potential. The Sabres also make the playoffs if the first option comes true.

[Pimlach]

Combination of 1 and 2.  

[LGR4GM]

Went with 2 but I'm hoping 1. It all depends on how quick Levi adjusts to nhl teams attacking his weaknesses. 

[Huckleberry]

we probably need 2 if we want to make the playoffs.   Number 1 could make us a contender though with the right additions.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Not enough options.  I think he spends the season in Buffalo, but he doesn't play 40 games.  

[Zamboni]

If he stays healthy … Levi gets 30-40 NHL games. His GAA hovers in the neighborhood of 3.05.  
 

[thewookie1]

Honestly, I see him having ups and downs however not intense downs. For example he had a couple rougher games in his stint last year so I’d expect much of the same this time around, only stretched over 45 games or so. He’ll be solid most nights, mediocre occasionally and a brick wall occasionally. 

[JustOneParade]

My hope is that if Sabres go on a couple 8-10 game stretches of poor play that have typically turned into losing streaks in the past, that Levi can steal a game or two in the midst of those and mitigate the damage. Of course, the better solution is to not have those stretchers to begin with.

[Night Train]

14 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Combination of 1 and 2.  

Agreed

It all depends who splits time with him and how they play. Don't overwork him because the #2 G plays poorly. Replace #2. 

[dudacek]

Devon Levi is the real deal and will show it immediately.

Goalie purgatory is over.

[DarthEbriate]

Between .907 and .918. For this offense, that’s something around 27-13-5. But will they schedule him to play more than 45 games? Will they need to?

[nfreeman]

I think he’s gonna be great and the team will believe in him and play better in front of him, as they did for Miller and Dominik.  Even so, I wish they had brought in a credible 1A.  

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, dudacek said:

Devon Levi is the real deal and will show it immediately.

Goalie purgatory is over.

The hope is that better overall team defense and PK play will put him in a position to succeed, even as a rookie. If he can duplicate the play of Edmonton's rookie, Stuart Skinner, I would be happy. And it is not unreasonable to believe that Levi was even a better prospect. 

[Night Train]

3 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I think he’s gonna be great and the team will believe in him and play better in front of him, as they did for Miller and Dominik.  Even so, I wish they had brought in a credible 1A.  

I'll be interested to see if another team has a situation in camp where they have 3 goalies they like and 1 needs a new team to get a shot. I'm sure KA and the scouts will be watching. 

[dudacek]

Kevyn Adams certainly isn’t oblivious to the pushback for his goaltending choices.

He’s effectively said “I think Levi will be a better #1 and either UPL or Comrie will be a better #2 than whatever our other options are at the moment.”

I think it’s interesting how many people seem to disagree with the above, yet (according to the poll) seem to agree with the Levi half of the equation.

[pi2000]

I'd say he plays upwards of 60-65 games, not necessarily in the Calder discussion, but with some typical ups and downs of a rookie.

Overall providing (at minimum) average NHL goaltending which will springboard this team into the playoffs.

[dudacek]

Lance lysowski tweeting that Levi is skipping rookie camp and prospects challenge and going directly to the main camp.

[LGR4GM]

7 hours ago, dudacek said:

Lance lysowski tweeting that Levi is skipping rookie camp and prospects challenge and going directly to the main camp.

Good. I knew I liked him, he understands his goals and is internally motivated to achieve them. 

[K-9]

Calder and Vezina winner. Anything less will be disappointing.

[mjd1001]

I'm commenting here because I try to comment on all of these threads.

Hope? A legit top 20 goalie this year.

Expectations? I have ZERO idea.  I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles and has to go the the AHL, just the same as I wouldn't be surprised if he is a top 10 guy in the league. I have no idea at all with him.

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

Calder and Vezina winner. Anything less will be disappointing.

Conn Smythe

[ddaryl]

The amount of Sabres fans all worried and nervous about Levi. He is cut from a different cloth than most Gs his age. I can't say that about most prospects but with Levi he just stands out with his his puck tracking vision, and positioning. Like he is already a 10 year pro.

I don't see him getting 50+ starts this season, but I do see him in the conversation for multiple rewards at seasons end. I think he'll  play/start close to 40 games 

[K-9]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Conn Smythe

I thought about that but didn’t want to come across as unreasonable with my expectations for Devon Levy.

[K-9]

4 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I'm commenting here because I try to comment on all of these threads.

Hope? A legit top 20 goalie this year.

Expectations? I have ZERO idea.  I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles and has to go the the AHL, just the same as I wouldn't be surprised if he is a top 10 guy in the league. I have no idea at all with him.

I hope that fence you’re sitting on doesn’t have any pointy pickets. 😂