Buffalo Sabres Prospect Opts Out Of Joining Team

It looks like Buffalo Sabres fans will have to wait at least another year to see one of the hottest prospects in the team's farm system.

As first reported by the Buffalo News, Buffalo Sabre prospect Devon Levi has informed the team that he intends to return to college for his junior season next year.

Levi was selected in the seventh round by Florida in 2020, 212th overall, and missed his freshman season at Northwestern because of injury. He did have a breakout season during his sophomore season racking up a .952 save percentage and 1.54 goals-against average over 32 games.

The Buffalo Sabres traded for his rights last season.

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Besides colligate experience, Levi has plenty of international experience as well. He has represented Canada at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Canada won the silver medal, and Levi ended the tournament with a .964 save percentage which was a tournament record. Levi was also named the Best Goaltender of the tournament and to the tournament All-Star Team.

Levi was also part of Team Canada in the 2022 Winter Olympics.

With Levi returning to college next season, the Sabres do have some other options at goalie with some prospects including Erik Portillo, Aaron Dell, Michael Houser, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Luukkonen has played in 27 games for the Rochester Americans in the AHL so far this season with a 0.894 save percentage and a 3.55 goals-against average. He also played 9 games with the Sabres this season, winning two games, losing five and averaging a 2.74 goals-against average with the NHL team.