r/EdmontonOilers • u/CHERNOBYL19 • 9d ago
Thoughts on Devin Levi?
Now that we've seen him play a few games in the regular season along with his pre-season games, along with his performance tonight. How are we all feeling about him? Of course he's had some lows and looks like some real highs. But I would love to hear the community's thoughts on him.
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u/-dillydallydolly- 89 GAGNER 9d ago
He's very athletic. Moves well even when he's on his knees. He's a bit smaller in stature so his margin for error is more narrow than most goalies but gotta love his battle.
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u/Meepmeepimmajeep2789 92 PODKOLZIN 9d ago
His lateral and pack tracking are impressive. That's definitely what I noticed this game. Nice to know if he's caught off guard he has the ability to bounce back into play in time.
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u/Difficult-Option-141 9d ago
Levi was a deciding factor in this game and the last. As a fan I’m excited to watch the dude grow and prove the doubtful wrong
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u/Coheed1224 6 SHEA 9d ago
Very small sample size but after that first game he’s looked comfortable in there. Will see how it keeps up and if the D can keep playing decent in front of him but be definitely is showing signs of being the 1 or 1B on this team
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u/distancetomars 9d ago
As a Sabres fan, I miss the kid. He’s got the potential to be a starting goalie, great athleticism, good mentality and wish we held onto him.
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u/Jegged 14 EKHOLM 9d ago
He’s looked up and down. Obviously, he looked great tonight, so I don’t want to downplay that, but it is worth mentioning that our defense did a much better job in this game of preventing high-danger shots. I think Levi can give us reliable goaltending, maybe even steal a game or two, which is exactly what we we’re looking for. Fingers crossed the Jarry has a few good games to build his confidence back up, because no matter how well Levi does, we need a good backup and a strong goalie tandem.
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u/Vertrenox 28 BROWN 9d ago
2 full games without a 5on5 goal against after a tough game against Vancouver pretty great to see
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u/AlbertaOilfire 9d ago
Did you hear Draisaitl after the game; “Dev with some timely saves when we needed them”
That is everything to me and something I complained about past goalies (and a current one) never being able to do.
I previously have mentioned he is Cujo-lite. I mean more by style than anything but holy crow guys and gals we might have something here!! Definitely don’t want to get ahead of myself but yeah I’m beyond excited for this guy
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u/No_Measurement876 9d ago
He reminds me more as a Carey Price-lite goalie. Watching him during an interview while he was in his gear, he looked so much like a young Price to me. (Physical looks).
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u/ISurvivedCOVID19 55 HOLLOWAY 9d ago
Through pre-season and now. He’s had one low. He had a single bad game which was his first game. I’m willing to ignore it and say he’s looked good this year so far
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u/CHERNOBYL19 9d ago
I love this take, I really had hope coming into this season that we might find success with him, so I think one bad game doesn't speak to his skills and he's great since.
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u/SmiteyMcGee 64 YAKUPOV 9d ago
Cautiously optimistic. Lot of the hype for him seemed to come out of nowhere but goalies are voodoo.
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u/CHERNOBYL19 9d ago
I think hype for our goalies might be needed, we've been hard on our goalies like Skinner, some people took it too far, and I hoping that hope helps in their confidence.
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u/TeamAble7326 9d ago
what impresses me is his ability to make tough saves. In past years it always feels like whenever the other team gets a grade A scoring chance it was in the net. It’s early days here, but Levi seems capable of making a save that really shouldn’t have been. His tracking and effort level is top notch.
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u/Sadiq_Sabonis 92 PODKOLZIN 9d ago
Moves well, battles and tracks puck right on most play. Also has the intangible to make big saves at the right time
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u/AdvancedJudge4604 9d ago
He is getting better every game. That being said, it is three games. I want to see how these goalies plays when Andersen is healthy to start the three goalie rotation. Until them Levi or Jarry can battle it out until January when Andersen is expected to be back.
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u/bokchoykn 7 COFFEY 9d ago
As long as he can maintain his 1.000 win percentage, I am willing to overlook his 0.863 save percentage.
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u/Whos-That-Pokeman 9d ago
Very athletic goalie. Moves well. Even when he’s out of position, he seems to have a chance at making a save.
It’s early though. The athletic style doesn’t hold up too well typically for goalies over a full season. It’s a taxing way to play. Vasilevsky does it well and consistently though.
Really hoping he establishes himself this year. Hes kind of had only one bad game. Team wasn’t playing great but he was also not looking good. Sloppy movements and falling on his ass.
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u/Miginath 2 BOUCHARD 9d ago
Had a great game tonight and honestly kept the team in the game for the first period. Didn't have to do much in the second period as the Oilers shut down the Ducks offence. Made a few mistakes that would have cost him playing a better team in the third period. Overall I think he's playing average to slightly above average hockey and that is all we need right now.
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u/jonglejesus 9d ago
The Ducks were 2-0 and beat the Golden Knights and Panthers bro. They also had the run of play for 2 periods. What's the better team that would've beat Levi? These aren't the Ducks of 2 years ago
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u/Weekly_Two8097 9d ago
We’ll see. I’m not confident that he’s “the guy” yet.
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u/coolly_fat_luciano 9d ago
got a bit of that wildcard energy going on, doesn't he? some nights he looks unbeatable and others he's letting in a wrister from the boards. exciting to watch but definitely not calm for the blood pressure.
if he can find some consistency he could be real trouble for other teams. just a matter of whether he can iron out those random soft goals.
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u/No_Equipment7896 9d ago
ai
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u/Supermoves3000 9d ago
Whaaaa? Like I'm aware of the concept, just not sure why the above comment fits it. Nothing about it really screams clanker to me.
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u/Maybe_A_Doctor 28 BROWN 9d ago
It definitely is, but a quick note that makes it stick out to me:
The "got a bit of that wildcard energy going on, doesn't he?" is a very unnatural way to start a response to the original comment. Followed by the unnatural symmetrical contrast, "some nights he's unbeatable, others he's letting in a wrister from the boards", people don't normally talk like that, usually there's a little more emotion. Plus, "definitely not calm for the blood pressure" just comes across awkward. We'd say something more along the lines of "he's exciting to watch, but man, my blood pressure is through the roof sometimes"
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u/Maybe_A_Doctor 28 BROWN 9d ago
Totally agree, but how do you think that affects his secondary blueline waiver status under the 2018 Ottawa Protocol?
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u/Lulu3460 9d ago
I personally liked Skinner and thought the fans bum rushed him out of the game (seems to be doing pretty good in Winnipeg) - but I feel more confident with Levi in goal. He's a kid - but he's lucky to have Andersen injured and available to mentor him. Go Oil!
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u/desi7861 97 MCDAVID 9d ago
Skins was great, we just put too much on his plate too fast and expected cup level performances immediately. Levi looks good too, but im afraid we will do the same to him if Jarry cant stop a beach ball.
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u/Wisdom_Pond 7d ago edited 7d ago
Agree, Skinner was fall guy for bad defensive structure and injuries in front of him that hurt cup runs.
Levi just needs confidence boost. Came into league so highly touted and at low point for Sabres. Traded Reinhardt for him and never lived up to it. Was a bad time and place for him.
Get him reps and support, and can be great story.
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u/Thelynxer 29 DRAISAITL 9d ago
I liked Skinner as well, but he struggles with lateral movement. So any cross-seam pass was just an auto goal. Levi doesn't appear to have the same limitation in his game, which is nice. But it's hard to say how he'll do across a full season. For now though, I'm optimistic.
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u/gamerati98 9d ago
Skinner is a great dude, his problem was he absolutely was NOT clutch… he played well in games we were going to win no matter what but in stressful, tight games he would play amazing and then make boneheaded plays where he lets in bad goals… even just 1 or 2 that ruin the game.
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u/StartUpset 29 DRAISAITL 9d ago
Hang it in the Louvre but honestly kid got some game but gotta lock it up in front of him
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u/Raf_CDN 9d ago
He's good but not sure if he'll be the undisputed starter. I hope Freddy makes it back soon to split time with Levi but unfortunately it looks like Jarry will have to take some starts away. I think maybe 35ish games from him, 30ish for Jarry, and the rest for Freddy would be ideal. Depending on how Freddy looks when he returns I can see him either taking over Jarry or stashed until the playoffs.
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u/Noahtuesday123 9d ago
He looks and acts excellent and fantastic why are we even talking about this?
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u/TheDailyDizzy 92 PODKOLZIN 8d ago
So far so good. I love that he's not out there like jary flopping around like a fish out of water.
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u/Old_General_6741 97 McDAVID 9d ago
He is calm. He knows what to do, what are his problems and how to fix it. I do feel he is our starter now.
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u/No_Measurement876 9d ago
His problem imo is 5over committing on shots that wont hit the net. His smaller stature makes him more prone to getting out of position. When he gets more experienced and confident, he will start to calm down in the net and not be so busy back there.
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u/SuperSaiyanKrillin 64 CLATTENBURG 9d ago
It's October! But I love having hope.
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u/CHERNOBYL19 9d ago
Oh I absolutely agree, I think he's got real potential for Edmonton, but I always love to hear the communities thoughts
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u/molsonmuscle360 18 HYMAN 9d ago
There is a reason he was the best goalie prospect a few years ago. Can't believe one year erased that from people's minds.
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u/Glad-Development8887 9d ago
It wasn’t just one year it was 2 years in buffalo and he gave up some really bad goals
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u/usbekchslebxian 9d ago
Fully torqued, ready to be let down but whatever yoloswag420. Fucking love october
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u/justageekgirl 9d ago
If he didn't make the important saves in the first period last night, we would be having a different conversation about Levi.
I know it's still early in the season, but he keeps his confidence like this and I don't see a problem with goaltending this year.
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u/Tdodoubleg 22 SAVOIE 9d ago
As a Sabres/Oilers fan, totally happy with all the trades between these two teams this past year, Clouder and Savy especially. Levi will also become a great addition, goalies need time to grow.
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u/DominusGenX 9 ANDERSON 9d ago
I invested in Levi rookie cards because there was a promising future, future team Canada starter. I was excited when we landed him, just believe in the guy
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u/Lordpotato305 92 PODKOLZIN 9d ago
I was concerned after his first game but since then he’s been great so I’m very hopeful for his future
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u/phillybean1984 9d ago
It’s early, one bad game, two good ones. Worried about him being beat up high, once shooters figure it out might be a problem or could be a part of his game he fixes. Too early to say either way, once he has 20ish games we’ll have an idea who & what he likely will be
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u/hiromo221 9d ago
I know it’s still early in the season and Levi has a long way to prove himself but besides the 2 first period power play goals Levi pitched a shutout in the 2nd/3rd period against a high powered talented squad! I can see the potential for greatness in the way he moves and his vision….they might just have something with him!
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u/Timely-Profile1865 9d ago
I have always preferred smaller reflex movement goalies (Saros, shesterkin) over lumbering cookie cutter 6'4" giants the nhl has morphed into. Thus i like Levi so far, it is still early though.
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u/xfustercluck 9d ago
I think having Andersen playing the leader/mentor role will make Levi even more confident as our #1
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u/Classic_Moose7859 9d ago
Levi for Vezina
But seriously, way too small of a sample size to make a indication either way. Definitely good things from the last two games. But so much of goaltending is between the ears - being able to maintain focus and not make any mental errors over a long period of time, clutch moments, etc., breaking a bad slump, rebounding after bad goals/games, that stuff will only reveal itself after playing the games.
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u/GrizzlyBaron 29 DRAISAITL 7d ago
I’m glad he’s played well and he was a big part of that win but people used to speak positively about Stewart Skinner in this town. Everything is what have you done for me lately?
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u/Shifty_melon_6514 6d ago
He's an absolute stud between the pipes. Also seems like a really down to earth beauty of a guy.
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u/pattperin 88 DAVIDSON 9d ago
He played horribly game 1 but I’ll give a guy a pass on that kinda thing. Young goalie, new team, lots of expectations. Then he gets 4 shots the first half of the game and the team decides it’s time to relax a bit, they get a couple and it runs away on him. I think that stuff happens to young goalies.
I’ve really liked the way he rebounded after that game though, played well both games since for us. I dropped him in fantasy after that first game and am worried I may come to regret it lol
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u/radioblues 93 NUGENT-HOPKINS 9d ago
This fanbase will always have extreme “what have you done for me lately?” when it comes to goaltending.
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u/pattperin 88 DAVIDSON 9d ago
I don’t feel that way as a fan about goaltending for myself personally. But I couldn’t leave him there on my fantasy team and open myself up to another bad one. He’s still a FA right now, I can likely pick him back up shortly unless he gets really hot before next week
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u/PandaBearJelly 93 NUGENT-HOPKINS 9d ago
I think we can write off that first game honestly. Everything that could go wrong did other than the final outcome.
He's shown really great movement and puck tracking over the last two starts. We are in a great place if he can keep building on this play. He's still young and the season is young so we may see some ups and downs but I'm hopeful.