NCAA star and Team Canada darling Devon Levi turns down Sabres for 2022-23 season

Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi has reportedly informed the team that he will NOT be joining the team or its AHL affiliate Rochester Americans for the 2022-23 season, opting instead to stick with Northeastern University of the NCAA.

The 20 year old Levi was reportedly offered an entry-level contract by the Sabres after his remarkable season with Northeastern in which he set a team record with an oustanding 10 shutouts in just 35 games. He ended the season with a .952 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average and garnered a nomination for the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA's top goaltender.

Levi was originally drafted in the 7th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers and was shipped to the Sabres as part of the Sam Reinhart trade. Since his draft day Levi has seen his stock as a prospect rocket up the rankings. He won Top Goaltender honors at the 2020 World Junior Championships and will be a favorite to win the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA's top player this upcoming season. 

Personally, I think another season in the NCAA is the right move for Levi at this point of his career. He's just 20 years old and he has just a single NCAA under his belt. I think it's smart to let him play at least another season in college, let him be big man on campus and experience some success at this pivotal point in his career. Throwing him between the pipes with the Sabres will only serve to shatter his confidence given the expectations that the team's fanbase have for him. I think he's probably at least two years away from playing a regular role on the Sabres. Again, let him play this season with Northeastern and then give him a full season in the AHL to see where he stands. 

In the meantime, the Sabres have 23 year old Ukko-Pekka Luukonen who looks poised to play some NHL games next season. He has been up and down with the Americans this past season, but I think if the team can convince veteran Craig Anderson to return next season then he and Luukonen could make a solid tandem.