Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams says he has total support for goaltending prospect Devon Levi returning to Northeastern to play his junior season.
According to Adams, Levi didn’t feel totally ready to make the jump after just one season of college hockey.
Levi was one of the best goalies in college hockey this year, going 21-10-1 with a 1.54 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage. He was named as one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, but eventually got left out of the final three players up for the award.
In July, Buffalo acquired Levi and a first-round pick from the Florida Panthers for Sam Reinhart.
Now, Adams' focus turns to the Frozen Four in Boston this weekend, where he’ll watch Owen Power and Erik Portillo compete for the University of Michigan, as well as Ryan Johnson and Aaron Huglen with the University of Minnesota.
The Sabres general manager says he’ll speak with Portillo and Johnson in Boston to see where they’re at and if they’re ready to make the jump to professional hockey.
Adams said if both Portillo and Levi had chosen to sign with the Sabres, there would’ve been plenty of playing time for both of them in Rochester.
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen likely in Buffalo next season, it would be good for the organization if Portillo could take the crease in Rochester. Adams says he has told Luukkonen that Rochester is his team for the rest of the season, and he wants him to have that ownership as they try to embark on the Calder Cup playoffs.
Luukkonen has played 27 games in Rochester this season, going 11-12-4 with a 3.51 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage. Those numbers would indicate that he’s not playing well, but his top-two defensemen are in Buffalo, and the No. 3 guy has been hurt.
Adams says he’s liked how Luukkonen has played in Rochester, and on nights where he has struggled, he’s liked how he’s battled. Adams believes the numbers do not tell how he’s played, or how the team has played in front of him.
Colin Miller returned to the ice on Tuesday after a bout with COVID-19. Adams says he had symptoms, and they will take it slow with him.
Meanwhile, Will Butcher will step into the lineup on Tuesday, as Mark Pysyk will come out. Craig Anderson will be in net against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Kyle Okposo is set to play in his 900th NHL game on Tuesday.
“It means a lot," he said of the milestone. "It’s one of those things where the older that you get and the more games that you play, it feels a little bit more real, I guess.
“I know that it’s not the time to stop and think about milestones, while you’re still playing, but I appreciate it a lot more and have a deeper respect for the amount of games that I’ve played as I get older.”
The Hurricanes are another huge test for the Sabres. They’ve had a slight slip up lately, losing two of three games, and are only 4-4-2 in their last 10 games.
The Canes are third in the NHL with a points percentage of .710. They also trounced the Sabres back in Carolina on Dec. 4, 6-2.
Carolina has won 11-straight games against Buffalo, dating back to the 2015-16 season.
Both Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen are on seven-game points streaks. Aho leads the team with 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points in 66 games.
Freddie Andersen is in goal for the Hurricanes. The former Toronto Maple Leafs netminder is 33-11-3 this season with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage.
The Hurricanes are the best defensive team in the NHL, giving up just 2.35 goals per-game.
Join Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. ET when you’ll hear from Granato, Okposo and Casey Fitzgerald. A reminder that Tuesday's game is a radio only game for Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray. The game will only be available to watch via ESPN+.
