Wow. That’s the only word in the dictionary I can think of to describe Sabres prospect Devon Levi’s performance so far in the AHL Playoffs. While the Blue and Gold are done for the summer, their AHL affiliates just keep playing outstanding hockey year after year, and they can at least give fans hope as far as prospects go.
One player who’s been outstanding and will compete for a permanent spot on the big club is Devon Levi. He’s been legendary so far in the playoffs and is coming off back-to-back playoff shutouts. Levi was good in Rochester last season, but he’s taken it up a few notches since the Sabres reassigned him back to Rochester this year.
No, his 4.12 GAA and 0.872 save percentage in Buffalo this season isn’t inspiring even the most optimistic fan. But in 42 regular season games with the Amerks, Levi finished with a 2.20 GAA, a 0.919 save percentage, 25 wins, and seven shutouts. Yeah, seven shutouts.
Levi’s playoff performance has been legendary so far and fans must be excited
Fast-forward to the AHL Playoffs, and Levi’s garnered another two shutouts, a 0.978 save percentage, and a ridiculous 0.67 GAA. You can’t ask for better performances, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen didn’t even come close to this during his time with the Amerks,
In 2021-22, Luukkonen played 35 games with the Amerks, finishing with a shutout, a 0.900 save percentage, and a 3.28 GAA. So, given Levi’s development, which has been light years ahead of Luukkonen’s so far, you and the Sabres might think it’s only a matter of time before he’s playing in Buffalo full-time without this back-and-forth bouncing between Rochester and the City of Good Neighbors.
Ideally, yes, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Luukkonen slipped up this season, no doubt, but it’s a job Levi must pry away from the former second-round pick. And remember, Luukkonen’s shown us in the past that he can bounce back from bad seasons. It was something that made his 2023-24 campaign so memorable and that could easily be the case in 2025-26.
Devon Levi must earn the No. 1 goaltender spot even if Luukkonen falters
Without a doubt, Devon Levi deserves a look and a long one. But he’s also been handed the job in the past and blew it. So, this time around, there’s no giving anything to Levi. Even if he outduels Luukkonen in camp come September after what should be a memorable playoff run, he still shouldn’t get the gig until he becomes the ‘hot hand’ next season.
It’s easy to build optimism in the playoffs, especially when you’re looking like the AHL’s best netminder by a mile. But the question still remains of whether he can transfer this success to the NHL for good this time. And, if the answer is yes, can he maintain playing at a high level.
Over the past two seasons, we thought Levi would stick to the Sabres lineup, and both times, we were wrong. So, until he proves otherwise, we need to assume Luukkonen will continue to be the No. 1 netminder, even if Levi wins the Calder Cup and proves to be the most valuable player in the AHL playoffs.
