The Edmonton Oilers knew they needed to do more than replace one goalie this offseason. General manager Stan Bowman also made changes to the team's defense and added another goalie. The Oilers wanted to improve the team in several ways rather than make just one change. One of the new goalies is Devon Levi.

Levi has a lot of talent, but fans should keep their expectations realistic for the 2026-27 season. Levi is not expected to start the season as Edmonton's No. 1 goalie. Veteran goalies Frederik Andersen and Tristan Jarry are expected to get their chances before him.

Devon Levi has shown a lot of promise, but fans should also be careful with their expectations. He became one of Canada's top young goalies after posting a .964 save percentage at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. However, he has not had the same success in the NHL.

According to Sean Mallon's report on Oil on Whyte, Levi played 30 games for the Buffalo Sabres over three seasons. He had a 17-17-2 record and finished with a save percentage below .900.

Buffalo was not one of the NHL's best defensive teams during that time, but Levi has not yet proved that he can be a reliable starting goalie.

The Oilers are also expected to keep three goalies on the roster. Because of that, every chance Levi gets will be important. The 24-year-old will need to prove himself this season.

Levi's long-term potential remains intriguing despite questions over immediate impact

The same Oil on Whyte report by Sean Mallon also said Levi usually plays better on stronger teams. After his great performance at the World Juniors, he won a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.

He played one game in the tournament and won it. These performances showed why many people see him as one of hockey's top young goalies.

Levi did not play in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres during the 2025-26 season. Instead, he spent the full season with the Rochester Americans in the AHL.

Because of that, the Sabres never got the chance to see how he would play behind their improved NHL team. This may have helped the Oilers trade for him at a lower cost.

The Oilers are expected to be patient with Levi. Frederik Andersen has a lot of experience, and Tristan Jarry has a big contract, so both veterans are expected to start ahead of him.

This will give Levi more time to improve while getting NHL games when he has the chance. He has a bright future, but his role this season will depend on how quickly he adjusts to playing in Edmonton.

Devon Levi still has the talent that once made him one of hockey's top young goalies. However, talent alone does not guarantee success in the NHL. The Oilers have added more goalies, so Levi does not have to carry all the pressure right away.

He will have time to develop and improve. If he plays well when he gets his chances, Edmonton's decision could pay off. The big question is whether Levi will be ready when that opportunity comes. What do you think? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.

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Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason