There has been plenty of speculation regarding the state of the Edmonton Oilers goaltending, which badly needs upgrades if they’re going to maximize their window while Connor McDavid is still under contract.
After the Oilers found out that Connor Ingram was going to free agency, general manager Stan Bowman has acted swiftly and brought in a new goaltender from the Eastern Conference.
Former Buffalo Sabres draft selection Devon Levi, along with a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft, is on his way to the Oilers in exchange for Edmonton’s third-round pick in 2028.
The Edmonton Oilers Have Acquired Goaltender Devon Levi From The Buffalo Sabres
Standing 6-foot, 192 pounds and now 24 years old, Levi spent the previous campaign with Buffalo’s AHL affiliate in Rochester, where he put together a 23-20-9 record. He also posted a 2.83 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and recorded three shutouts, with his 23 victories ranking eighth among all AHL goaltenders that season.
Across three seasons and 120 games with the Amerks, he has accumulated a 64-39-17 record, a 2.52 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage, and 10 shutouts, along with an AHL All-Star selection in 2024-25. In 16 playoff appearances for Rochester, he has gone 8-8 with a 2.57 goals-against average, a .917 save percentage, and three shutouts.
At the NHL level, Levi has made 36 appearances with Buffalo, winning 17 games while logging a 3.29 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. Originally drafted 212th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2020, the Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec product was later traded to the Sabres in July 2021.
He reached the NHL shortly after finishing his collegiate career at Northeastern University (Hockey East), debuting on March 31, 2023, when he stopped 31 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers.
The Oilers made a blockbuster move last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, acquiring Tristan Jarry in return for Stuart Skinner, who signed on Wednesday with the Canadian rival Winnipeg Jets.
But the move didn’t pay off for the Oilers, who ultimately started Connor Ingram in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for five of the six games in their Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the divisional rival Anaheim Ducks.
Goaltending is the main position that the Oilers needed to upgrade, and this move carries strong potential for things to work out, as Levi was never really given an opportunity to realize his potential with the Sabres. He’ll have the chance to earn a spot on the Oilers when the club gathers for Training Camp in the fall, though it’s likely he could find himself with their AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors.
Acquiring Devon Levi Is The Latest Move From The Oilers
There were major changes for the Oilers following their disappointing loss in the postseason, which included the firing of head coach Kris Knoblauch and assistant coach Mark Stuart.
Arriving in their places are Mike Babcock, who was officially hired as head coach, and D.J. Smith, hired as an assistant.
Stan Bowman also pulled a major move on Wednesday, trading defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in the wake of his trade request after over a decade of playing for the club.
Breaking: Oilers Acquire Eastern Conference Goaltender