There is a new hot young goalie in town as the Edmonton Oilers made a move and acquired goaltender Devon Levi from the Buffalo Sabres along with a 2028 seventh round pick for a 2028 third round selection.
The trade was a perfect low risk bet on a goaltender who brings with him quite the pedigree. He has been a standout and award winning goalie at various levels from being awarded best goaltender at the World Junior Hockey Championship to a two time NCAA top goaltender award and Hobey Baker award finalist.
At just 24 years old, Levi also has legitimate potential on his side and despite his presence seemingly clogging the Oilers goalie pipeline with three presumptive NHL netminders, he has a wonderful opportunity in front of him.
Oilers goaltending outlook
Next year, the Oilers are set to enter the year with Levi in net alongside recent Stanley Cup champion, Frederik Andersen and Tristan Jarry who has struggled in his time with the Oilers.
Although the crease seems crowded, there is a very real possibility that Levi is able to take hold of the reins as the Oilers starting netminder. Especially if Jarry continues to struggle and if the veteran Andersen hits health issues, as he has in recent seasons. His health concerns the past few seasons have held the 36 year old to just 73 combined games since the start of 2023-24.
Still, Jarry and Andersen likely hold the top two spots on the depth chart unless Jarry struggles and/or Levi runs away with the crease. Which based on historical evidence, is something that is very possible.
Levi is in good company
Given his pedigree, Levi has the potential to take a starting role between the pipes but as everybody knows with potential, it is just that until it is realized. Looking at other examples of young goaltenders with similar numbers to Levi, it gives some hope. At this stage in his career, Levi has amassed 39 NHL games with a 17-17-2 record, a 3.29 goals against average, .894 save percentage, with a -8.03 goals saved above average (GSAA) and 5.16 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
Levi has a similar career path to a young Jacob Markstrom, highly touted goaltenders after being drafted, struggling to break through with their first NHL club, putting up relatively poor results but great results leading up to the NHL. Markstrom, following his trade to the Vancouver Canucks became one of the best goalies in the league throughout the 2010's.
Arturs Silovs is another goalie who could not break through with the Vancouver Canucks but was able to secure a steady role with the Pittsburgh Penguins this past season. Although his save percentage left a lot to be desired with an .888 save percentage through 39 games, he took over the reigns for an NHL starting role and looks poised to continue being at the very least be part of a tandem going forward.
Looking at Levi's advanced numbers on evolving-hockey.com, like his GSAx numbers, they put him in impressive company, having better numbers than players such as Devan Dubnyk and Jake Allen as under-24 NHL goalies. Despite the optimism, there have also been a number of goalies with similar numbers who did not pan out like Karri Ramo and Hannu Toivenen but there are key differences.
This is all to say, we will not know how good Levi will be until he plays between the pipes at Rogers Place this season but there is hope for cautious optimism. Especially with Andersen, who has had health concerns and Jarry's performance issues being the two players ahead of him on the depth chart, there is a path for Levi to take over the crease, should he prove worthy.
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