K-9

Why wouldn’t Levi be allowed to play in the playoffs?

I’ve accepted the fact he will never be a center but he can be an effective winger as long as he isn’t playing with another winger like VO. It’s also obvious that he has become a glue guy on the team and that’s not an unimportant factor for this young team at this current time.

I noticed Kulich was out of the lineup tonight. Anybody know why?

Gotta believe he gets the call on Tuesday vs the team that traded him. Truly a must win game and something tells me this kid thrives on those opportunities.

Yeah, he seems to read the play exceptionally well. Especially for such a young goalie. That save on Kakko in the first was all about the read and quick reaction to what he was seeing. UPL and Comrie would still be sliding to their left after the puck was already in the net.

Didn’t hear his name on a side note, front note, or back note. Which was great because he’s been a PITA against us in the past.

He doesn’t seem to commit to the shot until he sees whether he has to make a save low or make a save high. It won’t be as simple as “shoot high on Devon Levi” and you beat him. Imo, it will be a question of whether to go blocker side or glove side vs. going high or low. That doesn’t suck.

I’d say the kid is as advertised. We are gonna love him for a long, long time.

No single player can be a savior, but he can certainly be a key piece. Considering he had the second best career save % in college history (according to the graphic shown on MSG period periods) he certainly has the potential to be special.

Whats your vector, Victor?

Total fluke goal.

Ha ha, the “meh jag” finally does something.

Bite your tongue.

He’s been underwhelming to say the least. Look up “meh, jag” and you’ll see his picture.

Well, that’s one way to break the ice.

It’s also high reward whereas any of the other three are high risk only.

If the commodities are “known” to be substandard over a large sample size like, let’s say, an entire season to date, then they don’t deserve any benefit of the doubt whatsoever. Other than a handful of stellar moments, our collective goaltending group has crapped the bed. They haven’t carried this team to playoff contention in the least as it’s been the offense having to score four or more a game to offset their ineptitude to get us where we are. Indeed, better goaltending would have seen us already in a playoff position. While it’s not saying much at all given how poor we are between the pipes, the moment he signed, Devon Levi became the best goalie on our team. And I suspect the coaches and players are already well aware of that, which is why the decision to play him has nothing to do with putting things off until next year and everything to do with legitimately giving us the best chance to win a game.

Agree entirely. I’m hoping he goes on such a tear that his trade value goes thru the roof.

I think anyone can go up a level in a pinch because they have to in a pinch. But the hockey pundit’s larger point was that the Sabres have three D men with first pair abilities, Joki and Boosh are 3rd pair talents, and everyone else is a 7/8. We need another solid 2nd pair player.

I forget who the hockey pundit was that said it, but his assertion was that the Sabres, other than Power, don’t have a D man capable of moving up a pair when injuries require it. We’ve got a 7/8 pair in Bryson/Clague trying to play 5/6 with Boosh, who isn’t good enough to be a 2nd pair D, while we have a 2nd pair D man in Joki who isn’t good enough to move up to the top pair if needed. Ideally, Power finds a legit 2nd pair D man and Joki moves down to 3rd pair with Boosh. All of which was just a long winded way if saying the same thing you did; we lack depth at D.

As long as he’s balling as a winger.

Regarding the path he’s taken, other than his junior years spent against subpar competition as compared to other prospects, what’s there to question? Went from the most outstanding goalie in the U20 tourney to one of the best college goalies in one of the best college conferences. Many goalies have played superior competition at the junior level and didn’t have the success he did at the collegiate level. I just don’t think his path is indicative of anything other than his sheer determination to prove the doubters wrong.

Bring back Mitts and hope the shine of a 30 goal scorer can fetch a nice piece in a trade. But every GM is privy to what VO has put on video so I don’t think the sweet aroma of 30 goals will overcome the stench of the rest of his game enough to get much in return.

When they put him at wing and separated him from VO, Mitts started playing much better. He's just not suited for center, given the decision making issues you pointed out.

As long as Mitts doesn’t play center in that scenario.