Devon Levi Trade Talks Will Extend Into Summer
The Devon Levi trade saga isn't going away. Buffalo's front office shopped the two-time NCAA Goalie of the Year at the March deadline and came up empty. Now, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Sabres are expected to keep those conversations going through the offseason. A goaltender with Levi's pedigree doesn't sit in the AHL forever — and Buffalo knows it.
Levi, 24, has spent the bulk of 2025-26 with the Rochester Americans while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen holds down the NHL crease. That's the core problem. Luukkonen is signed through 2028-29 at $4.125 million per year. Alex Lyon has been excellent as the backup, riding a nine-game winning streak. There's simply no path to meaningful NHL minutes in Buffalo right now, and a Devon Levi trade has become the most logical resolution for both sides.
Why Buffalo Needs to Move Levi
The numbers tell the story. Levi's NHL sample size is small — 39 career games — and the results haven't matched his collegiate dominance. A .894 save percentage and 3.29 GAA across those appearances isn't what you'd expect from a goaltender who posted a .952 SV% during his Richter-winning 2021-22 season at Northeastern. In eight appearances this year, those numbers have dipped further: .876 SV%, 3.97 GAA.
But dismissing Levi based on limited NHL exposure would be a mistake, and NHL front offices know it. His AHL track record is far more telling — 106 games, .916 SV%, 2.46 GAA across three seasons with Rochester. In 2025-26 alone, he's posted a .913 SV% and 2.50 GAA through 34 starts. He can play. He just can't play in Buffalo.
That's what makes the Devon Levi trade conversation so interesting. You're not trading a bust. You're trading a blocked asset — a goaltender with elite developmental markers who needs a new zip code. Meanwhile, teams like the Edmonton Oilers, dealing with key injuries, are exactly the kind of contender that could benefit from adding goaltending depth at a bargain price.
Levi's Contract Makes Him an Attractive Target
Here's where the Devon Levi trade becomes a no-brainer for acquiring teams. His contract is absurdly cheap:
- Term: Two years, $1.625 million total
- AAV: $812,500
- Expiry: End of 2026-27 (restricted free agent)
- Waiver status: Exempt — can shuttle between NHL and AHL freely
Sub-million-dollar cap hit. Waiver exempt. RFA control after the deal expires. For a rebuilding team that needs a goaltender of the future, or a contender looking for cheap insurance, those terms are borderline irresistible. The risk is minimal. The upside? A former two-time Mike Richter Award winner who hasn't yet been given a real opportunity to prove himself at the NHL level.
Which Teams Are Interested in a Devon Levi Trade?
Multiple teams have been linked to Levi throughout the season, and conversations are expected to pick up once the offseason begins. The most frequently mentioned suitors:
Philadelphia Flyers — The Flyers have been searching for goaltending stability for years. Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov haven't locked down the crease, and Philadelphia's rebuild timeline aligns perfectly with Levi's development curve. A Devon Levi trade to Philly makes almost too much sense.
Utah Hockey Club — Utah is building from the ground up after relocating from Arizona. They need every position, including a young goaltender who can grow with the franchise. Levi's contract and age profile fit their window perfectly.
Edmonton Oilers — Stuart Skinner's inconsistency has been a recurring theme during the McDavid-Draisaitl era. Adding Levi as a cheap, high-upside option gives Edmonton flexibility without compromising their tight cap situation.
Carolina Hurricanes — With Frederik Andersen's health always a question mark and Pyotr Kochetkov's development still ongoing, Carolina could view the Devon Levi trade as a low-cost addition to their goaltending pipeline. The Ottawa Senators are already making offseason plans in the same division, and Carolina won't want to fall behind.
The Trade Request That Wasn't
Let's address the elephant in the room. Earlier this season, rumors circulated that Levi had formally requested a trade from Buffalo. Elliotte Friedman shut that down. No official request was made. But the reality is almost worse for the Sabres — Levi doesn't need to ask. Everyone already knows a Devon Levi trade is coming. It's a matter of when and for what, not if.
Levi has handled the situation professionally. He's continued to play well in Rochester, hasn't made public complaints, and has kept his head down. That professionalism only increases his value. Teams want goaltenders who can handle adversity, and spending two-plus years in the AHL while watching lesser talents get NHL opportunities certainly qualifies.
What Should Buffalo Expect in Return?
This is where it gets complicated. The Devon Levi trade return depends entirely on which market Buffalo is selling into. At the deadline, with teams desperate for a quick fix, Levi's NHL numbers worked against him. In the offseason, when teams can evaluate the full picture — AHL production, age, contract, pedigree — the Sabres should command a better package.
Realistic returns could include a second-round pick, a B-level prospect, or a depth roster player who fills an immediate need. Buffalo isn't getting a first-rounder for a goaltender with a .894 NHL save percentage, no matter how impressive his college résumé was. But they could get meaningful pieces if they're patient and let the market come to them. With teams like the Anaheim Ducks shaking up their roster, there's no shortage of potential trade partners looking for goaltending answers.
From Seventh-Round Steal to Trade Asset
The origin story matters here. Florida drafted Levi 212th overall in 2020 — seventh round. He was virtually unknown. Then he went to Northeastern and became the first goaltender in history to win the Mike Richter Award twice (2022 and 2023). Buffalo acquired him in the Sam Reinhart trade in 2021, back when Levi looked like a potential franchise cornerstone between the pipes.
Three years later, the Devon Levi trade conversation exists because Buffalo's goaltending depth chart evolved faster than anyone expected. Luukkonen took the starting job and ran with it. Lyon emerged as a reliable backup. Colten Ellis added another layer of organizational depth. Levi went from “future starter” to “odd man out” without ever really failing — he just got passed. And with the World Cup of Hockey 2028 giving elite goaltenders another showcase opportunity, Levi needs to be playing meaningful games somewhere.
What's Next for Devon Levi
The offseason window opens in July. That's when the Devon Levi trade is most likely to materialize. Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams has been clear about wanting to improve the roster, and moving a surplus goaltender for assets that address actual needs — scoring depth, defensive help, draft capital — is the obvious play.
For Levi, a change of scenery could be exactly what his career needs. The talent is there. The work ethic is there. The mental toughness, forged through years of organizational limbo, is there. What's been missing is opportunity. Whichever team acquires him will be getting a 24-year-old goaltender with elite collegiate credentials, solid AHL production, and something to prove at the NHL level.
That's a dangerous combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Devon Levi being traded?
Yes, a Devon Levi trade is expected to happen this offseason. The Sabres shopped him at the March deadline and will continue those conversations through the summer, per David Pagnotta. With Luukkonen locked in as Buffalo's starter through 2028-29, there is no clear path to NHL playing time for Levi in Buffalo.
What is Devon Levi's contract?
Levi is on a two-year, $1.625 million contract ($812,500 AAV) that expires after the 2026-27 season, at which point he becomes a restricted free agent. He is currently waiver exempt, which adds flexibility for any acquiring team.
Which teams want Devon Levi?
The Philadelphia Flyers, Utah Hockey Club, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes have all been linked to the Devon Levi trade discussions. Philadelphia and Utah are considered the strongest fits due to their goaltending needs and rebuilding timelines.
Did Devon Levi request a trade?
No. Despite rumors earlier this season, Elliotte Friedman confirmed that Levi has not made a formal trade request. However, the hockey world widely expects a Devon Levi trade to happen regardless, given his blocked path in Buffalo's organization.
