Devon Levi signed to a 2 year 812k contract extension

[dudacek]

12 minutes ago, shrader said:

I’m a little surprised that he signed for more than one year. I have a hard time seeing what that extra year earns from his point of view. 

Probably the trade off for the one-way deal. 

[Taro T]

18 minutes ago, shrader said:

I’m a little surprised that he signed for more than one year. I have a hard time seeing what that extra year earns from his point of view. 

Said it upthread.  Provided things go to plan, he probably nets out more money long run by signing a 2 year 1 way deal than he would've having this year's deal be a 2 way deal.

On a 2 way deal, he'd probably get $250-300k as an Amerk.  And if he spends 90%+ of the year in Ra-cha-cha he'd end up with ~$325-$350k total as a gross.  So, he's getting better than $400 more than he would've signing a 2 way deal this year and then a deal for about the same money on a 1 way deal next year as he signed this time.  He'd need to get over $1.2MM next year to be ahead of where he'll be now and if he suffers some sort of catastrophic accident he would get almost none of that without already having a contract and if he doesn't play at all in the NHL this year he'd have a tough time negotiating a deal to that for next year.

He had 0 leverage.  This works for both sides as he doesn't count against the salary cap at all while in Ra-cha-cha and next year the deal will be bumped up to $850k because that is the league minimum salary for next season, but the cap hit will be less than $850 because the contract is for 2 years and it'll be the average of both years nominal salary.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, SwampD said:

For that matter, UPL is still on schedule.

So are you saying you are done with Levi?

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

The “Sabresy” thing about this, is that 2 years ago Levi was gifted the starting spot.

He was not gifted anything. He was the hot goalie and the Sabres rode him.

At that time if you had told fans that his next contract would be 2x$812k, and that he would headed to a 3rd year in the AHL, most would have laughed. 

Okay, so what's your point?

There is, almost always, a “Sabresy” angle. Don’t limit yourself to contract term or AAV in your search. 

Only if you want one.

 

[JohnC]

On 7/31/2025 at 2:11 PM, Doohickie said:

 

It almost feels like Kevyn has had the realization that Levi might not be the generational goalie he traded Sam Reinhart for.  Levi truly has no leverage because he just hasn't shown yet that he is an NHL goalie.  Even his biggest backers are recognizing the maybeness of his talent.

On the one hand, I see it as you do that Levi isn't a guaranteed #1 NHL goalie. But that shouldn't be a surprise because just about every goalie prospect needs extended grooming before moving up the ranks. Maybe the GM has belatedly come to the realization that rushing prospects because of a team need not only hurts the development of the prospect but also doesn't help the big club? In general, I agree with the GM's not rushing the young goalie. Especially with goalies, getting game experience in the lower leagues is beneficial to the player being prepared when he is brought up on a more permanent basis. 

[SwampD]

59 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

So are you saying you are done with Levi?

I'm not done with UPL.

[shrader]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

Said it upthread.  Provided things go to plan, he probably nets out more money long run by signing a 2 year 1 way deal than he would've having this year's deal be a 2 way deal.

On a 2 way deal, he'd probably get $250-300k as an Amerk.  And if he spends 90%+ of the year in Ra-cha-cha he'd end up with ~$325-$350k total as a gross.  So, he's getting better than $400 more than he would've signing a 2 way deal this year and then a deal for about the same money on a 1 way deal next year as he signed this time.  He'd need to get over $1.2MM next year to be ahead of where he'll be now and if he suffers some sort of catastrophic accident he would get almost none of that without already having a contract and if he doesn't play at all in the NHL this year he'd have a tough time negotiating a deal to that for next year.

He had 0 leverage.  This works for both sides as he doesn't count against the salary cap at all while in Ra-cha-cha and next year the deal will be bumped up to $850k because that is the league minimum salary for next season, but the cap hit will be less than $850 because the contract is for 2 years and it'll be the average of both years nominal salary.

I know it’s pretty much all about the one way deal, but it just feels like a good time to make the gamble on himself. Yeah, I know I’m gambling with someone else’s money, but the risk feels very small here. 

[LTS]

16 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

how utterly bizarre for the Sporting News to refer to him as the Sam Reinhart trade return in the title. 

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/buffalo-sabres-devon-levi-ukko-pekka-luukkonen-sign-deal/ed8d1871031295536fba0fc1

It's not really. This is how the Internet works. If you say Devon Levi then the reach of the article is limited to those who might have an interest in him or the team for which he plays. Whereas, if you mention Sam Reinhart you will get Sabres fans as well as people who would have an interest in Sam Reinhart. This happens quite often these days in headline writing in an attempt to get more eyeballs to see it and then entice people to click.

I get a lot of "Former <insert team here> draft pick projected to be cut" or traded, or something else. Goofy and annoying, but for most people it turns into a click.

[PromoTheRobot]

2 hours ago, LTS said:

It's not really. This is how the Internet works. If you say Devon Levi then the reach of the article is limited to those who might have an interest in him or the team for which he plays. Whereas, if you mention Sam Reinhart you will get Sabres fans as well as people who would have an interest in Sam Reinhart. This happens quite often these days in headline writing in an attempt to get more eyeballs to see it and then entice people to click.

I get a lot of "Former <insert team here> draft pick projected to be cut" or traded, or something else. Goofy and annoying, but for most people it turns into a click.

It's probably AI written. 😂

[Porous Five Hole]

UPL is not it. Levi still could be.  GMKA made the wrong decision extending UPL. GMKA’s career depends on Levi making the jump in 26-27. As a Levi truther, I’m optimistic. He’s been elite in ROC.   But that does not help us get into the playoffs in 25-26. Fire GMKA!

Edited 6 hours ago by Porous Five Hole

[PerreaultForever]

5 hours ago, LTS said:

It's not really. This is how the Internet works. If you say Devon Levi then the reach of the article is limited to those who might have an interest in him or the team for which he plays. Whereas, if you mention Sam Reinhart you will get Sabres fans as well as people who would have an interest in Sam Reinhart. This happens quite often these days in headline writing in an attempt to get more eyeballs to see it and then entice people to click.

I get a lot of "Former <insert team here> draft pick projected to be cut" or traded, or something else. Goofy and annoying, but for most people it turns into a click.

I guess. Feels sensationalistic but I get your point.