As we hit the quarter mark of the 2025-26 National Hockey League season, the rumour mill is starting to pick up. This is especially true for teams who are not off to the best start, causing both frustration from fans, media, and the teams themselves. Especially with internal personnel, tensions can start to boil over as some players feel that their situation is not the best for them.
This seems to be the case in the Buffalo Sabres organization as they are once again off to a poor start to the season. So far, the team has a 6-8-4 record and appear stuck in the basement of the NHL, dead last in the Atlantic Division and 29th in the overall standings.
This has caused speculation from within as their star goaltender prospect, Devon Levi finds himself looking ahead at a rocky situation, especially in the crease. The word appears to be that he may have requested a trade, despite some recent pushback.
Did Devon Levi request a trade?
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently poured cold water on the rumours on his 32 Thoughts podcast saying that he "doesn't believe" that Levi submitted a trade request to the Sabres. However, he did note that there seems to be some tension rising between the Sabres and their top goalie prospect.
"I do think the Sabres know that when they signed him they told him there was gonna be a path for him to play" adding "I got in trouble a couple years ago because I used the word 'guaranteed' and the Sabres got mad at the word guaranteed, and I shouldn't have said it. But what they told him was there was for a path for him to play there."
Given the Sabres current situation in net, it is no surprise that there may be some issues starting to boil over. The team has three goaltenders currently on their roster with all of them being signed beyond this season. It is easy to see why a goalie who the team coaxed to leave the NCAA early and sign their entry-level contract with the club nearly three years ago may feel disgruntled at not getting a chance.
The 23 year old netminder has spent nearly the past three seasons being sent up and down between the Sabres and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
At the AHL level, Levi has played like a star featuring in 77 games with a 48-21-10 record and a 2.36 goals against average and .919 save percentage. At the NHL level, it is a bit more of a mixed bag, playing 39 games with a 17-17-2 record and a 3.29 GAA and .894 save percentage.
Could Levi be a fit with the Oilers?
This is where the Edmonton Oilers come in. It would be an ideal situation for the Canadian netminder with the team having a need in net and Levi, a desire to prove himself at the NHL level. Projecting any prospect in this situation, much less a goalie is always tough but if the price is right, he could be a worthwhile acquisition for the Oilers to make.
Following a similar situation, the Vancouver Canucks traded 24 year old goalie, Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins over this past off season. This was because they locked up two goaltenders in Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen, forcing their goalie prospect out. He has since taken over the starter's role for the Penguins, currently holding a 4-2-4 record in 10 games with a 2.44 goals against average and .917 save percentage.
Looking at another prospect netminder in recent history who was pushed out, Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov was 22 years old at the time and seen as one of the top prospect goalies in the entire NHL but with the Nashville Predators already having Juuse Saros locked up long term, the club opted to trade him to the San Jose Sharks. He too, has taken the starter's role this season and played well.
Through 11 games, he has a 5-5-1 record and a 3.09 GAA and .906 save percentage.
These two trades represent a good range with Askarov costing a first and 'B-Prospect' in Edstrom while Silovs cost a prospect and a fourth round selection. As well, there is the factor of age as Silovs was 24 and Askarov was 22, with Silovs nearing the awkward age where players tend to outgrow the prospect title and become a minor league player.
Even still, the Predators sending a third round pick in return to receive a first and prospect shows the possible undervaluing of goaltenders in prospect trades.
Levi falls somewhere in the middle of these two players, he was once a prospect held in very high regard but his stock has certainly dropped. This is due to his age, as he will be 24 by the end of the year and with his shaky play at the NHL level.
If the Oilers are able to land Levi for a price tag that is less than Askarov, it could prove to be one of general manager Stan Bowman's best moves. If he is able to win a Stanley Cup with Levi in goal, it could even be what he is most remembered for as Oilers GM.