Sabres place Ryan McLeod on injured reserve; Devon Levi recalled

The Buffalo Sabres made a pair of transactions Saturday, placing center Ryan McLeod on the injured reserve, while goaltender Devon Levi was recalled from the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

Through 45 appearances this season, McLeod has recorded 24 points counting 10 goals and 14 assists, underscored by his unconventional first career hat-trick coming Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite an awkward fall at practice Thursday, McLeod still suited up Friday versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A veteran of 264 contests, McLeod has registered 42 goals and 57 assists for 99 career points. The 25-year-old native of Mississauga, Ont., finished with a career high of 30 points coming in 81 games with the Edmonton Oilers last season. The Sabres acquired McLeod from the Oilers in the July deal that saw 2022 ninth-overall selection Matthew Savoie shipped to Edmonton.

Levi’s recall comes after Sabres starting netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was bumped in the crease by Evgeni Malkin in Friday’s 5-2 home ice loss to the Penguins.

The 23-year-old goaltender has split time this season between Buffalo and Rochester. With the Sabres, Levi has found the win column twice through eight appearances coupled with an .876 save percentage and 3.97 goals-against average, while in the minors he has posted a 12-3-1 showing alongside a .913 save percentage and 2.33 goals-against average.

In 2021, the Sabres acquired Levi and a 2022 first-round draft choice – which became center Jiri Kulich – from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Sam Reinhart. Through three seasons and 38 total appearances with the Sabres, Levi owns a 17-16-2 record with an .896 save percentage and 3.24 goals-against average.

On the season, the Sabres sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a record of 17-23-5 and 11 points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wildcard position. Following Friday’s loss to the Penguins, the Sabres return to ice Monday to take on the Seattle Kraken.