Luukkonen + Levi have potential to be one of top goalie tandems in the NHL

[@danielmcdermott452]

I love seeing people give UPL props . I’m been a fan since day 1 and 2 years ago you couldn’t post a comment about how UPL will be good without getting attacked form all sides . Glad most people have come around to liking his play .

[@Donny_Double_Dip]

Joe we played in the EAHL together. You were a warrior and I was happy to share the ice with you. #LockDownD!

[@juice8141]

Omg Joe!!! Your assessment of UPL last year was soooo off!! The fact that you wanted to get rid of him for nothing demonstrates you know nothing about development of goalies. Good thing you’re not Sabres GM

[@ColeSATurner]

Agree, not to be mean, but Joe has proven he knows very little about certain areas of the game. Whether UPL continues this or not and whether his advanced stats are bad or not, anyone who does knew that UPL was on the verge of having a breakout season. A big reason for his statistics being weak were because of his teams defense allowing so many breakaways that ruined his SV%, the number of shots he faced, and being one of those goalies where it's a time, experience, and puck luck thing. He had the athleticism and everything else. That's how goalies get better. And preseason performances for goalies don't matter either. Joe has had many casual takes on the team. UPL might not be a permanent starter. He might be an Ullmark or he might be an Elliot where he falls off and is a better backup when Levi or someone else overlaps him. He's more than good enough to be in the NHL for the time being though and was good in 2024. You never know what he will become down the line now. To say he should've been out of the league over his statistics on paper in 2023 and his preseason games is foolish. Giving him a 3M deal isn't horrible if it's only for a couple of years. I wouldn't give him too much term though as goalies are on or off nowadays.

[@whatareuthinking1]

He spot on about one thing goalies are way up way down. They rarely are consistent excepted that elite level very rare.

[@Mralanyrx]

@@ColeSATurnernot true. All of upl’s advanced stats were awful, his Ahl stats are awful, there’s no reason to believe he would be good this time last year, and it’s very likely that he falls off next year

[@Donny_Double_Dip]

Yeah but bulldogs giant goalie son told him! 😂

[@ColeSATurner]

@Mralanyrx Who are you talking to? A ghost? Do you want to read over what I actually said a second time?

[@neilkennington2397]

Joe , UPL was the goalie of the year in his last season in the OHL. He was also one of the best goalies ( save percentage and shut outs) in the league from Jan on wards last season . Hopefully Adams and UPL can avoid abitration . 4 years at 4 to 4.5 million, or at most half a million a year less then what Swayman makes a year. Hopefully Levi has improved on his short side because he got beaten there alot while with the Sabres last season . If not then send Levi back to the AHL and start the season with Reimer and UPL .

[@sesnapapa]

UPL seemed to have issues anytime Levi was up last season... That is concerning.

[@richardisaacs8084]

I personally think Reimer may be there as a coach/mentor

[@danevertt3210]

Horrible idea to offer sheet. Not even worth talking about

[@frizzledog]

All I'm gonna say is it's so nice to see other people as high on Levi as i am. I got nothing but faith in this kid, been keeping tabs on him since college. He will be the 1A.

[@aarongriffin4901]

😂 everybody has been this high on Levi since we drafted him. It's not like he was a surprise when he played well.

[@whatareuthinking1]

UPL was good last year on a team that was not only careless in their own end. Wanted nothing to do with contact the defensive responsibilities like they didn’t know they had any allowed to get away with it. Im sure interested to see under Ruff when he doesn’t let that shit go night after night. Three guys behind the net chasing the puck at the NHL level holy shit.

[@AurorJeffrey]

Give UPL what he wants with term, you can move the deal when Levi is ready, if you want. 5x$5m If he insists on 7, make sure he doesn’t have a full NMC and move him if Levi is ready

[@brianvanwyk9425]

I hate to tell you this but save percentage and gaa are way more of a team stat than a goalie stat.

[@jasonbornne7767]

Correct. The best way to measure a goalie is goals saved above expected.

[@NtourisSgtJackMichoff]

I have always been a UPL fan and his lumbering athleticism was probably the hips. U can argue in the second half of last year, UPL was really the best goalie in the NHL

[@danevertt3210]

As of January 1st…..his stats show he was the best goalie in the league

[@AurorJeffrey]

I suspect that the goaltender variability has to do with injuries. The type of injuries they can play through like a couple minor muscle strains. But it just makes a huge difference.

[@gilles11dupuis]

UPL and Levi WOW

[@ZeusWango]

LPL haven’t done anything yet NO playoffs just barely winning record Goaltending is still a major question mark for the team! Stop putting a bow on a pig and call beautiful. Levi should stay in AHL until he wins something The talent Rochester will have this year if he’s a true number one gold tender they should win the AHL championship I am done with hearing they talent prospects pool now I’m at that point show me then I’ll come back Sabres has used all my hope up I had!

[@AAA-o4g]

They might rabbit, the D needs to be more physical and observant in their own end

[@john-uj9df]

If we don't make the playoffs this year, idk if I can watch any more games. Close to a decade and a half of pitiful teams and no playoffs.

[@TmanTyler619]

Then don’t watch

[@danevertt3210]

@@TmanTyler619 are you a youngster? How can you blame him??

[@TmanTyler619]

@@danevertt3210 I’m 21 and I’ve been watching since the drought. The first game that got me hooked was the last 30 seconds against the flyers in their last playoff game so I’ve only known the crappy Sabres but I’ve enjoyed it all. The only excuse you can have for not watching them is that RJ isn’t commentating 😂

[@ronpeacock9939]

I would not touch UPL for more than 3.. worse, I don't think he'll be the #1 much longer. Levi in his first full pro season had better numbers than UPL at any level and he played between the AHL and NHL, the same number of games. UPL really, has little leverage because if he don't want to sign.. Levi gets the starts.. I think if UPL is the #1, Levi is back in rochester.. Levi is only up if he's #1 or part of a 1A/1B duo (see '79/80 w/ Edwards and Suave).. Levi does not get better on the bench. Honestly, the reasons for UPL not getting much.. 1. He's had 1 acceptable year numbers wise.. 2. Levi was beyond acceptable at AHL last year... 3.. I expect that if UPL is our #1 and he gets hurt and Levi takes his place... it will be forever.

[@SunSailandSand]

UPL is NOT the goalie savior you think he is. Remember we had to basically give up all of our Offense and go full Defense to make him look good. I think UPL is fools gold.

[@johnnygreen7445]

I don’t think so. They both need more seasoning. We need a better option in net. They are the reason we missed the playoffs last year. When you lose games 6 to 4…..you need a better goalie.

[@HALFDEADHERMAN]

Our lack of commitment to playing defensive minded hockey is what kept Buffalo from advancing to the playoff tournament last season. Goaltending is the only reason they had a chance to play meaningful hockey games at the end of the season. We don't need a better option in net. Buffalo's problem is an uninformed local media full of talking heads like Sneaky Joe who live in fantasy land drinking from their poisoned well, thinking advanced stats tell you all that you need to know!? They haven't any ideas about the game that they can't draw a numbers comparison. That's why they overreact to every trade and their analysis is laughed at by anyone with a halfwit's hockey IQ. Adams went out this summer to the fan's displeasure and created an new identity for this hockey club,... Defensive minded players who play with speed and are committed to the 200ft game. Watch the games this season and see how much better they are defensively as a team, how the bottom six acquisitions create a new identity for the soft, pansy hockey team that missed the playoffs last season. Then watch UPL's stats improve along with the teams win -loss record. It won't be because of a change in goaltending. It will be because of the commitment made this summer by the GM and new HC to acquiring players who commit to defensive minded hockey and the 200ft game.

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

Yes I agree Joe Devin Levi is the future!

[@aarongriffin4901]

Then get his name right... DEVON

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

spellcheck, Ha,I knew that actually...@@aarongriffin4901

[@pasqualeocchiuto1317]

Everyone always wants the backup , until he has to play long term . LEVI is exciting and can give you outstanding performances on occasions , but doesn’t have the body to play in the NHL on every other night bases.

[@xMarik96]

The Body? Tf are you even talking about?

[@pasqualeocchiuto1317]

@@xMarik96 too small ,

[@captainahab4325]

@@pasqualeocchiuto1317 based on what evidence? Your comment needs clarification. Are you saying he’s to short?

[@pasqualeocchiuto1317]

@@captainahab4325 yes , short.

[@captainahab4325]

@@pasqualeocchiuto1317 that’s a myth. If you want a shot blocker yeah he’s probably to short. But a real goalie doesn’t have to be a 6’5 sumo plywood board

[@FalseNi9e]

Think UPL will go to arbitration? I hope that doesn't happen🤞

[@aarongriffin4901]

Dude you are terrible... If you are gonna try to evaluate players at least learn how to spell their names!😂 Its DEVON LEVI!

[@michaelandrew8493]

But Upl might not work here if he doesnt get a deal soon because of arbitration. Once it goes to that the relationship is usualy done.

[@captainahab4325]

The reality is UPL knows Levi is hot on UPL's heals. And so he's trying to get as much money he can while he can. Can't blame him Levi will surpass UPL very soon and more than likely by the end of this year,.

[@captainahab4325]

Nah. If Adams caves and gives UPL more than 3 years it's a BIG MISTAKE. UPL is a shotblocker. That is the difference. Of course he's going to sit back in the crease it gives him the advantage. But shotblockers ARE NOT goalies. When the game gets chaotic in front of UPL he will crack. It's not his fault its how he is trained. And Levi does CHALLENGE the shooter more BUT he is more athletic and able to get across the crease. Lurch err I mean UPL will not be successful in the playoffs. Just like Ullmark was great in the regular season he gives up rebounds and the game is chaotic and boom puck in net.

[@captainahab4325]

Joe what the hell are you talking about. UPL DID NOT "shine" until Levi was sent down to Rochester. Levi wasn't sent down because UPL outplayed him he was sent down as "punishment' for letting in a few bad goals and UPL ALSO let bad goals in the net. UPL still cannot catch a dam puck to save his life - the easiest save to make. Sorry but your way off base here and have no idea what you are talking about. UPL can't handle competition. And if Levi outplays UPL in training camp I fully EXPECT Ruff to play Levi and not play favoritism. If Ruff balks on Levi then Ruff will be fired along with Adams in short.