Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi to make first NHL start Friday
The future is now in Buffalo.
Top goaltending prospect Devon Levi will be between the pipes for the Sabres on Friday evening as they take on the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes was the first to report the news on Wednesday evening. The Sabres subsequently confirmed the news on Thursday, with both Levi and head coach Don Granato addressing the impending debut with the media.
“It’s exciting,” Levi said. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for my whole life, so, for it to finally be here, it’s a big deal.”
"It's exciting. I've been dreaming of this moment my whole life."
Watch Devon Levi's full presser ⬇️
Levi, 21, was outstanding as a sophomore at Northeastern University this past season, posting a 17–12–5 record and a .933 save percentage in 34 games.
As a freshman in 2021–22, Levi went 21–10–1 with a .952 save percentage. The Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. product was named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award after both seasons.
The Florida Panthers originally selected Levi in the seventh round (No. 212 overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft but traded him to the Sabres in 2021 as part of the Sam Reinhart deal.
The Sabres currently rank fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 35–31–7 record and 77 points through 73 games. They’ve struggled to find consistent goaltending all year long, with 41-year-old Craig Anderson serving as their best bet for much of the season.
Levi represents a much-needed breath of fresh air in the crease for the Sabres. He signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the team earlier this month and is now under contract in Buffalo through 2025.
You’ll be able to watch Levi and the Sabres take on the Rangers in Buffalo at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday evening.