The NHL’s 2025-26 season is nearly upon us, and at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’re examining each Buffalo player and the expectations on them next year. Each Sabres player has the pressure to get this Buffalo team into the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, but every player’s outlook is at least a little bit different.
We began the series with this look at Sabres presumptive starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen; yesterday, we looked at newcomer goalie Alex Lyon, and today, we’re wrapping up the goalie area with a look at youngster Devon Levi. The 23-year-old has been solid in the minor leagues, but sustained NHL success has been elusive for him in a short sample size.
Let’s look at what Levi’s role is likely to be this coming season, and where he fits into the Sabres’ plans.
Player Name: Devon Levi
Position: Goaltender
Age: 23
2024-25 Key Statistics: Nine appearances, 2-7-0 record (NHL), 872 save percentage, 4.12 goals-against average; 25-13-4 record (AHL), .919 SP (AHL), 2.20 G.A.A. (AHL)
2025-26 Salary:$812,500
2025-26 Expectations: Levi has been the Sabres’ goalie-of-the-future for a while now, and like many young goalies, he’s struggled to be consistent at the NHL level. The truth is, between veterans Luukkonen and former Sabres journeyman James Reimer, the Sabres’ starting job has been there for the taking for Levi.
Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Newcomer Lyon Signed To Serve In Supporting Role In NetThe NHL’s 2025-26 season is just around the corner, and here at THN.com’s Buffalo Sabres site, we’ve committed to analyzing every Sabres player and the expectations on them next season. Every Buffalo player has the pressure to get this Sabres team into the playoffs for the first time in a decade-and-a-half, but every player’s outlook is at least a little bit different.
But he’s put up a sub-.900-level SP in both of his two relatively-brief NHL seasons, and one of the reasons the Sabres went out and signed veteran Lyon this summer was to get goalie insurance in case Luukkonen struggled yet again and Levi wasn’t ready for the physical and mental toll of the NHL.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Levi isn’t going to get a look at the NHL level this year. To the contrary – if one of Luukkonen and Lyon are injured, Levi can be the American League recall and get into a handful of games. Same goes for underwhelming performances. If Lyon doesn’t get the job done, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams may waive and demote him in favor of Levi.
Levi’s strong AHL numbers last year suggest he hasn’t lost the ability to tend goal just because he hasn’t thrived at the NHL level. He’s going to need time to develop, and the Sabres don’t need to put the weight of the world on his shoulders as Buffalo makes a desperate push for the playoffs next season. That means more patience with him and more understanding of him.
If they play their cards right with Levi, the Sabres could have a No. 1 netminder for the next decade or more. But this is a delicate balance, weighing Levi’s interests on one side, and the Sabres’ immediate needs on the other side. And Buffalo can't afford to make a developmental mistake with a talent that could prove extremely valuable to them for a long time to come.
Levi showed at the AHL level he’s a beast. The challenge now for him is to make those dominant skills translate at the NHL level. He’s not anywhere close to losing ground in the Sabres’ goalie ranks, but Levi needs to show he’s ready, willing and able to stick with Buffalo at the next chance he gets.
