Levi - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Devon Levi evolving in Rochester, sparking surging Amerks

ROCHESTER – On Tuesday, goalie Devon Levi arrived at Paul Louis Arena, a 70-year-old rink the Americans occasionally use to practice, and found Carl Hirner, the team’s equipment manager, had put a winter hat around the top of his mask.

The antiquated single-pad facility is less than a mile from Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks’ regular home, and, for lack of a better term, absolutely freezing.

It was New Year’s Eve, and the Amerks had ... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wants Zach Benson to take fewer penalties

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reshuffled his lines earlier this week, he awarded winger Zach Benson a plum assignment alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

Barely six minutes into Tuesday’s 6-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second game on the line, Benson, 19, was whistled for holding.

“He was going to be in that top line,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “As soon as he took a ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup changes; Devon Levi ‘could be an option’ for Bruins

BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has an undisclosed injury, participated in this morning’s optional skate and will be a game-time decision tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Lindy Ruff.

McLeod missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance.

The Sabres, who own an 11-game winless streak (0-8-3), will receive some much-needed help tonight, as captain Rasmus Dahlin is ready to play. Their top defenseman missed eight games battling back spasms.... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Devon Levi could return to Sabres soon

MONTREAL – On Saturday afternoon in Belleville, hours before the Rochester Americans defeated the Senators 8-2, a black SUV picked up goalie Devon Levi and drove him about two hours across Ontario to Toronto.

The night before, Levi had made 27 saves in Rochester’s 7-4 win, improving his record to 7-1-1 with the Amerks. He has performed dynamically in the AHL, so the struggling Buffalo Sabres summoned him to spell No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.... Read the full article

Sabres’ streak hits 10 games with loss to Maple Leafs: ‘Toughest solve I’ve been around’

TORONTO – Lindy Ruff has coached 1,805 games over 24 seasons. He has led Buffalo Sabres teams that went bankrupt during the season and that came within two wins of a Stanley Cup victory.

Ruff, 64, has experienced just about everything during his long and distinguished career. He has won 875 games, the fifth-highest total in NHL history, and led three franchises to the playoffs.

He has always found a way to get his teams ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Devon Levi; Buffalo to make lineup change in Toronto

TORONTO – Goalie Devon Levi is back with the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Levi, 22, will start this afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs after being recalled today from the Rochester Americans.

Levi, of course, began the season with the Sabres, compiling a 2-5-0 record with a 3.95 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage in seven games.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi registers first pro shutout with Rochester

You must go back 74 games, to Devon Levi’s sophomore season in college, to find the last time the Rochester Americans goalie posted a shutout before his 20-save effort in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Syracuse Crunch.

On Feb. 25, 2023, Levi made 32 saves in Northeastern’s 4-0 win over Massachusetts, recording the 16th and final shutout for of his 66-game career with the Huskies.

Yes, the Buffalo Sabres prospect really blanked his opponents ... Read the full article

After terrific debut, highlight-reel save, Sabres goalie James Reimer could play again this weekend

BUFFALO – Following his splendid 31-save effort in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, Sabres goalie James Reimer will likely take a back seat behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen again.

Luukkonen has performed dynamically this month, compiling a 5-0-0 record with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in his last six games. Those numbers include a 40-minute appearance Nov. 11 in which he allowed four goals before getting yanked because of a ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg using size, skill to make impact as rookie in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Americans rookie Anton Wahlberg’s ability to impact games without scoring makes him a unique prospect for the Buffalo Sabres.

To wit: in the third period of Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 overtime loss, coach Mike Leone said the 6-foot-4, 198-pound winger leveled one of the Toronto Marlies and generated three or four scoring chances simply by “playing to his identity and his strengths.”

“With his physical tools, he’s able to get in on the forecheck, ... Read the full article

Devon Levi matured as Sabres’ backup goalie, excited to play for Rochester: ‘Happy to be here’

ROCHESTER – As goalie Devon Levi watched game after game, sometimes for more than a week at a time, he embraced the unique experience and lessons serving as the Buffalo Sabres’ backup offered him.

Levi, who on Monday was assigned to the Americans, had never been a No. 2 in his life. So he used the last month or so to learn what he called “a new kind of process.”

“Not playing as much ... Read the full article