Levi - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres add goalie depth for Rochester by signing Matt Villalta

The Buffalo Sabres on Saturday added goalie depth, signing Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract.

Villalta, 27, gives the Sabres a veteran netminder for the Rochester Americans. He will likely share the net with prospects Topias Leinonen or Scott Ratzlaff, both of whom spent time in the AHL last season.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Villalta has spent most of his career in the AHL, compiling 123-83-20 record with a 2.93 goals-against average, a .903 save ... Read the full article

Sabres make depth signings, trade after free agency opens; Jarmo Kekalainen open to making more moves

BUFFALO – After free agency opened Wednesday, the Sabres stayed pretty quiet, signing four depth players likely ticketed for the minors and trading goalie Devon Levi.

While more notable moves could materialize – “We’re still open for business,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in LECOM Harborcenter – the roster might be pretty much set.

“By no means we’re desperate to add anything right now,” Kekalainen said. “It needs to be a perfect fit both from ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Devon Levi to Oilers

BUFFALO – Goalie Devon Levi’s time with the Sabres organization has ended.

The Sabres this afternoon traded Levi, 24, and a seventh-round pick in 2028 to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick in 2028.

The Oilers have struggled to find a No. 1 goalie, so Levi, who must clear waivers next season before going to the minors, should have a strong opportunity in Edmonton.

Levi, once a highly touted prospect, fell ... Read the full article

Surfeit of goalies means Sabres could trade Devon Levi this summer

BUFFALO – On Jan. 20, 2025, following two months in the minors, goalie Devon Levi made a rare start for the Sabres, stopping 28 shots in a 6-4 road loss to the Kraken.

A day later, they sent Levi back to the AHL, where he spent the next season and a half with the Rochester Americans.

No one knew it that day in Seattle, but Levi, once a prospect so highly regarded that many viewed ... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospects from Rochester; Logan Stanley questionable for Game 6

BUFFALO – The Sabres have recalled seven prospects from the Rochester Americans to serve as Black Aces – extra players during a playoff run – after their AHL affiliate’s season ended.

Goalie Devon Levi, forwards Konsta Helenius, Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Anton Wahlberg and defensemen Ryan Johnson, Vsevolod Komarov and Radim Mrtka have all joined the Sabres.

The players will practice in a separate group from the Sabres, who play Game 6 of their first-round playoff ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi happy with Rochester, no longer feels ‘rushed’

BRIGHTON – These days, Devon Levi possesses a narrow focus. Naturally, the Buffalo Sabres prospect thinks about his future. But by embracing what the present offers him, he believes he can achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an elite NHL goalie.

Almost three years after nearly backstopping the Sabres to an unlikely playoff berth just weeks out of college, Levi, 24, has spent all season with the Rochester Americans.

“I know that over time I’ll ... Read the full article

Sabres waive goalie Alexandar Georgiev to terminate contract

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Sunday placed goalie Alexandar Georgiev on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

Georgiev, 29, plans to sign with Spartak Moscow, a Kontinental Hockey League, according to Hockey News Hub. He makes his home in Moscow during the offseason.

Terminating his deal will end an odd three-month tenure in the organization for the two-time NHL All-Star.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi pulled from game during career-worst slump with Rochester: ‘He’s got to be better’

ROCHESTER – The fifth puck past Americans goalie Devon Levi, a shot from the far bottom of the right circle, forced coach Mike Leone to make a late goaltending change.

For the just the second time in his 76-game AHL career, Levi, the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect, got yanked from a game.

In Wednesday’s 6-4 loss in Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks roared back late, scoring three straight goals after the Belleville Senators ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen starts important season with conditioning assignment in Rochester: ‘I feel great’

ROCHESTER – On Tuesday, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen walked into Blue Cross Arena, donned a gray Americans practice jersey and touched the ice in the 70-year-old rink for the first time since early in the 2022-23 season.

“It’s a weird but cool feeling,” a smiling Luukkonen, who will begin an AHL conditioning assignment tonight, told the Times Herald following Tuesday’s practice. “I have so many good memories here. It’s kind of like you haven’t ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester

BUFFALO – Jiri Kulich, the Sabres’ second-youngest forward, got singled out a bit by practicing as an extra before Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

But make no mistake, nearly every Sabres forward struggled during their dreary 0-3-0 start they carried into their contest against the Ottawa Senators.

“This isn’t about Kulich,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres began the night with just two goals all season, said Wednesday morning in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article