BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres are now 22 games into the 2023-2024 season.
They currently sit in sixth place in the Atlantic Division, just three points shy of a wild card spot with a 10-10-2 overall record.
Some significant roster changes for the Sabres in the past few weeks have left Head Coach Don Granato and General Manager Kevyn Adams with some decisions to make going forward.
The team announced Tuesday that they were sending Devon Levi to the Rochester Americans. Adams said on Wednesday that this is the best decision for the young goaltender at this time.
“We’re super excited about Devon and believe in him and just feel like this is an opportunity for him to get in a rhythm, get sharpened up, even through some more structured practice reps,” Adams said. “And that’s something that we have the luxury and the ability to do right now, and I think it’s the right decision at this time.”
Levi has played in nine games so far this season with Buffalo, earning a 3-4-1 record and a .876 save percentage. He is also the only goaltender drafted in 2020 or later to appear in an NHL game this season.
Although Levi will be spending some time in the AHL, Adams made sure to emphasize that the team remains confident in the 21-year-old.
“One thing that we have talked about organizationally - and we shared this with Devon - is as a goaltender in the National Hockey League, you’re no longer having the ability to think about development," Adams said. "... It’s winning, and it’s winning that game any way you’re going to win... Now in Rochester, obviously we want to win every game, but you’re also focusing on your personal development, so some of that just is able to get reset a little bit.”
Adams also confirmed on Wednesday that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will be the starter from this point forward. Luukkonen has won each of his last three starts, including most recently with a 25-save outing against the New York Rangers on Monday. Through his last three games, he has recorded a .941 save percentage and has averaged 2.01 goals against or less.
“What’s great is UPL’s earning more ice time, earning the net," Adams said. "And I think that’s a great thing. It’s a great thing for him, it’s a great thing for our team.”
Looking now at injuries, with forwards Tage Thompson, Jack Quinn, and Zemgus Girgensons remaining out for the foreseeable future, this creates an opportunity for other prospects in the system to draw into the starting lineup.
Buffalo recalled forward Brandon Biro and loaned forward Jiri Kulich.
Zach Benson appears to also be staying on the roster, but Adams did note that he could still be sent to the World Junior Championship to compete for Team Canada in late December.
Jordan Greenway returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past two games due to a personal matter. Granato said that he looked good in practice and will be a “legitimate option” for Thursday’s game in St. Louis.