The Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Devon Levi to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $812,500, the team announced Thursday, finalizing deals with all their restricted free agents.
Levi, 23, is expected to open the season as the starting goalie for the AHL’s Rochester Americans, allowing him to continue developing before stepping into a long-term NHL role. He excelled in the AHL last season, posting a 25-13-6 record with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage, and a league-leading seven shutouts across 42 games. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, he went 5-3 with a 2.52 GAA and two shutouts.
While dominant in the AHL, Levi faced challenges at the NHL level, going 2-7-0 with a 4.12 GAA and .872 save percentage in nine appearances. Overall, he has played 68 AHL games (41-19-10) and 39 NHL games (17-17-2).
Originally drafted 212th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2020, Levi joined Buffalo in the 2021 trade that sent forward Sam Reinhart to Florida. The deal also netted the Sabres a 2022 first-round pick, used to select forward Jiri Kulich. Levi now looks to solidify his path toward becoming Buffalo’s future No. 1 goaltender.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].