Get to Know Newest Oilers Goalie Devon Levi

July 1 marks the first day of NHL free agency, and the Edmonton Oilers made a few signings. They also made a pair of trades. This article focuses on their first deal of the day.

The Oilers acquired goaltender Devon Levi and a seventh-round pick in 2028 from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2028 third-round pick. Edmonton finally made a move between the pipes, and they seem to be set in goal with Levi, Tristan Jarry, and free-agent signing Frederik Andersen. This was a solid low-risk move for the Oilers. They got a young netminder and didn’t give up a lot to do so. Goaltending has been Edmonton’s weakest position for years, and acquiring one or two this offseason was mandatory.

TRADE 🔄

The #Oilers have acquired goaltender Devon Levi & a seventh-round selection in the 2028 NHL Draft from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Edmonton's third-round pick in 2028. pic.twitter.com/4h4Xilw3uh

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 1, 2026

On 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Oilers were doing “real research” on Levi during last weekend’s NHL Draft. That research came to fruition as Edmonton found its guy for years to come.

Levi spent his junior career in the NCAA with Northeastern University, posting an impressive 38-22-6 record, with a .942 save percentage (SV%) and a 1.90 goals-against average (GAA) in 66 games.

He’s undersized for a goalie at 6-foot, 192 pounds, but he’s extremely athletic and relies on his puck-tracking skills and positioning. The Quebec native was considered one of the best goaltending prospects, and the Oilers are betting on his upside. He was in a logjam in Buffalo behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis. All three of those goalies are still under contract. Levi was never given extended playing time in the NHL. He could only develop so much in the American Hockey League (AHL), and he was clearly ready to take that next step. He will finally get that opportunity and will get an elevated role in Edmonton. It’s time to see if he sinks or swims.

Levi is set to make $812,500 this season and will be a restricted free agent (RFA) next summer. The 24-year-old goaltender hasn’t played in the NHL since Jan. 20, 2025, as he spent the entire 2025-26 season with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. Let’s get to know the newest Oiler.

Levi Played For Canada at the World Junior Championship

Levi was a seventh-round pick by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he was the starting goalie for Canada at the 2021 World Juniors in Edmonton. He had ridiculous numbers, posting an impeccable 0.75 GAA and a .964 SV% with three shutouts in seven games, backstopping his country to a silver medal. He was undoubtedly named the best goalie of the tournament. Canada lost 2-0 to Team USA in the gold medal game.

Levi Has Solid AHL Numbers, But Underwhelming NHL Numbers

Levi has been a solid AHL netminder, posting a 64-39-17 record, with a 2.52 GAA and a .914 SV% in 120 games. However, his numbers got worse every season. He had a .927 SV% in 2023-24, a .919 SV% in 2024-25, and a .904 SV% in 2025-26. He led the league with 3,029 minutes played last season. His AHL playoff numbers were more impressive. He posted a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in 16 playoff games.

Oilers Now’s Bob Stauffer reported that Levi had “exceptional advanced analytics,” citing goals saved above average over the last three AHL seasons with Rochester, which is a positive sign.

Unfortunately, he hasn’t found that same success in the NHL. In 39 career games, he has a mediocre 3.29 GAA and an .894 SV%. In his last stint with the Sabres, he had an abysmal 4.12 GAA and an .872 SV% in nine games. Hopefully, he can find his game in Edmonton and contribute in a solid tandem. He’s not a true number-one goalie yet, which is what the Oilers need. But he’s on a good contract, and the acquisition cost was low. The Oilers couldn’t afford to go into this season with the same tandem, so a change was desperately needed.