He looks different (Levi)

[Cali512]

That was an awesome game to watch and damn he looks different. He plays angle's extremely well, has a sense for what do when in danger, not afraid to confront the puck carrier, he just looked different than our other goalies. I felt extremely at ease half way through the first with him in net, i loved how he was in control the whole time. My only issue is he has to get a better grasp on finding the pucks in scrums. That will probably come when things get slowed down but he honestly gave me a Miller vibe late in the game. Even when they had a clean net, i felt like hed somehow make the save which he did like 4 times. That glove save early on and getting his leg to the post was very similar to Miller

Im excited for this kids future because goaltending has been an issue lately

[YardRat]

Hope he is as advertised, this team needs a goalie.

[Woodman]

Hope he is as advertised, this team needs a goalie.

Damn do we ever!!!!

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

It was nice to see his family there and how his teammates celebrated his win. What a nice start.

He deserves a place in the SCHLOTZKY.

[JATMtheJATM]

Watch his feet. They are ALWAYS moving. He's fine tuning his stance and wideness based on the angle and pucks location at such a high rate.

I'm thinking he's gonna be a jussi saros type. Saros may be the fastest goalie in the league by a huge margin. I'd imagine that's why Levi's feet are always moving.

[swiper]

sukie said elsewhere, and I agree, Levi played the down low stuff as well as anyone I've ever seen.

[Mr. Pink]

Don't get the fascination some people have with the guy.

Cali was right he looks different than any other goalie...other goalies don't lose the puck between their legs, other goalies don't look dumbfounded as to where the puck is when it's saucering over their shoulder.

Levi is a guy who needs more seasoning and unfortunately because Buffalo goaltenders suck so bad, he's forced to play. You all better hope that when he gives up a 6 goal night it doesn't completely shatter his confidence.

[YardRat]

Other goalies give up fluke goals all of the time. At least he didn't look lost and the moment wasn't too big for him. He's going to get shelled, every goalie needs to pass that test...we'll see. He's going to get undressed on a breakaway or in a shootout. Needs to experience all of that to learn and grow.

In all honesty my initial reaction to his "it's just hockey" comment after the game was "you've got a lot to learn son, don't get too cocky yet", but I kind of like the confidence too.

[swiper]

Don't get the fascination some people have with the guy.

Cali was right he looks different than any other goalie...other goalies don't lose the puck between their legs, other goalies don't look dumbfounded as to where the puck is when it's saucering over their shoulder.

Levi is a guy who needs more seasoning and unfortunately because Buffalo goaltenders suck so bad, he's forced to play. You all better hope that when he gives up a 6 goal night it doesn't completely shatter his confidence.

If you knew what you were talking about, then you'd understand. He made some low to the ice saves that no goaltenders make. And had veteran confidence and presence of mind for the entire game. That bodes very well for the future. Even Hasek gave up 6 goals. So no one's confidence will be shattered. Again, you'd have to know what you're talking about to understand it.

[JATMtheJATM]

Don't get the fascination some people have with the guy.

Cali was right he looks different than any other goalie...other goalies don't lose the puck between their legs, other goalies don't look dumbfounded as to where the puck is when it's saucering over their shoulder.

Levi is a guy who needs more seasoning and unfortunately because Buffalo goaltenders suck so bad, he's forced to play. You all better hope that when he gives up a 6 goal night it doesn't completely shatter his confidence.

He's in Buff because that's the only way he would have signed.

And Ryan Miller gave up 7 in a game in 03-04. He was so rocked, he cried.

In the end, he was absolutely fine.

Those things happen to every goalie. Why Levi is being picked apart after 1 game, in which he was absolutely electric in, is super weird

[Cali512]

Don't get the fascination some people have with the guy.

Cali was right he looks different than any other goalie...other goalies don't lose the puck between their legs, other goalies don't look dumbfounded as to where the puck is when it's saucering over their shoulder.

Levi is a guy who needs more seasoning and unfortunately because Buffalo goaltenders suck so bad, he's forced to play. You all better hope that when he gives up a 6 goal night it doesn't completely shatter his confidence.



That is probably the most difficult part of making your first start due to the speed of the game and nerves. I would rather a first year player struggle with that type of play then anything else because it's fixable with experience. When your first starting, those moments can move so fast that you may make a mental error

Id rather that then giving up easy shots. He did great vs one timers, had extremely good position during deep shots, and had full control of positioning.

He knew when someone got close to move out and play the puck carrier directly and knew how to use his full flexibility to stop wide open shots

He let in 2 goals. one was directly a fluke where he made a good save but the puck flew behind him and yes, the other one was him having trouble finding the puck

A team has 25-35 shots a game. about 90% if not more are usually do to direct shots on goal and he was literally perfect against those shots

I don't know if you don't watch more hockey or never played goalie, but he was honestly perfect aside from a couple plays where he had an issue finding the puck in a scrum is literally something every goalie struggles with

Weve seen our goalies giving up easy goals and scrum goals giving up 5+

[JATMtheJATM]

That is probably the most difficult part of making your first start due to the speed of the game and nerves. I would rather a first year player struggle with that type of play then anything else because it's fixable with experience. When your first starting, those moments can move so fast that you may make a mental error

Id rather that then giving up easy shots. He did great vs one timers, had extremely good position during deep shots, and had full control of positioning.

He knew when someone got close to move out and play the puck carrier directly and knew how to use his full flexibility to stop wide open shots

He let in 2 goals. one was directly a fluke where he made a good save but the puck flew behind him and yes, the other one was him having trouble finding the puck

A team has 25-35 shots a game. about 90% if not more are usually do to direct shots on goal and he was literally perfect against those shots

I don't know if you don't watch more hockey or never played goalie, but he was honestly perfect aside from a couple plays where he had an issue finding the puck in a scrum is literally something every goalie struggles with

Weve seen our goalies giving up easy goals and scrum goals giving up 5+

As a beer league goalie hero myself, you said it great.

I totally expect him to have some clunkers down the stretch and even next year and beyond. He probably will be in Roch next year. And he will have clunkers down there

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

Wait until he debuts the Star of David blocker.

[Woodman]

Huge huge night!!!!


:gosabres:

[Woodman]

Thompson looking to spark Sabres in crucial game against Panthers (https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-tage-thompson-playing-status/c-343083334)

"It's a big game," Tuch said. "They're a really good team. Everyone's coming around the corner and you're fighting (for a playoff spot). They're a team that we're going to have to play really well against to be able to beat them in their own barn. We're going to have to play an almost perfect game, and we're going to have to really try to go and outwork them. That's pretty much what it comes down to. I think toe-to-toe, it's pretty evenly skilled, evenly matched two teams, and we have to try to play to our game plan and beat them that way."

[Mr. Pink]

Watched him again...

He overchallenges, he overslides in the net, loses track of the puck constantly, and he gives up fat juicy rebounds left and right.

He has no business being in the NHL right now.

[OpIv37]

Watched him again...

He overchallenges, he overslides in the net, loses track of the puck constantly, and he gives up fat juicy rebounds left and right.

He has no business being in the NHL right now.

Your criticisms are not unwarranted. At the same time, our other goalies suck. Anderson is past his prime. UPL is a tweener between an NHL backup and an AHL starter.

Levi makes mistakes but he also does things that are way beyond what most goalies with that limited experience can do.

At this point, what makes more sense? Playoff hopes are just a thread. Neither Anderson nor UPL will get us there. Levi most likely won’t either, but at least he’s getting NHL experience while the team is still fighting.

[YardRat]

OT and shootout, with the playoffs still a mathematical possibility, is a good step for experience and development.

[JATMtheJATM]

Your criticisms are not unwarranted. At the same time, our other goalies suck. Anderson is past his prime. UPL is a tweener between an NHL backup and an AHL starter. Levi makes mistakes but he also does things that are way beyond what most goalies with that limited experience can do. At this point, what makes more sense? Playoff hopes are just a thread. Neither Anderson nor UPL will get us there. Levi most likely won’t either, but at least he’s getting NHL experience while the team is still fighting.The jump from NCAA to AHL is huge. And this guy skipped that step (so far) Hate it or love it, he's a green goalie and is absorbing the NHL experience like a sponge. Anything hes doing can be and will be corrected. I trust the Sabres FO enough to know what's best for his development

[JATMtheJATM]

My god Levi looks solid. He needs more polish and development, but good grief he just looks so fast and solid

[sukie]

My god Levi looks solid. He needs more polish and development, but good grief he just looks so fast and solid
Poised in the shootout. Very solid outing. That was a display of the kids patience and quickness… Like Jatm said… feet always moving.

[Cali512]

People saying he should go back to minors next season for more polish imo dont get it. He doesn't need it and right now he's basically the starting goaltender for a playoff push, late in the year, and has a 90% save percentage as a raw rookie. Just cut the cord, this is all the experience he needs. He can develop in the offseason with the team, no need to send him down then back up again. Just move forward with him

[JATMtheJATM]

People saying he should go back to minors next season for more polish imo dont get it. He doesn't need it and right now he's basically the starting goaltender for a playoff push, late in the year, and has a 90% save percentage as a raw rookie. Just cut the cord, this is all the experience he needs. He can develop in the offseason with the team, no need to send him down then back up again. Just move forward with him

I don't agree with this entirely. We've seen goalies come in and play lights out before fading away. I don't want him to be the next Carter hart or Spencer knight

[sukie]

I’ll take the next Barrasso.

[Ingtar33]

Levi looks like the real deal. I haven't felt this good about a goalie since Marty Biron. (no, Miller never made me feel that confident, he let in way too many goals that seemed to go through him)

he needs to get better with directing the rebounds into the corners, but that will come, the kid looks legit. He reminds me a bit of Félix Potvin. Similar Style.

[JATMtheJATM]

Levi looks like the real deal. I haven't felt this good about a goalie since Marty Biron. (no, Miller never made me feel that confident, he let in way too many goals that seemed to go through him)

he needs to get better with directing the rebounds into the corners, but that will come, the kid looks legit. He reminds me a bit of Félix Potvin. Similar Style.

I think he's more of a saros style. But I won't stand for the miller slander!

[sukie]

I think he's more of a saros style. But I won't stand for the miller slander!

Come on… have you had the trauma removed from your memory? The nickname “Mr Softey”? That therapy worked too well.

[Novacane]

Watched him again...

He overchallenges, he overslides in the net, loses track of the puck constantly, and he gives up fat juicy rebounds left and right.

He has no business being in the NHL right now.

:lmao: You have no business posting about the NHL!

[Novacane]

People saying he should go back to minors next season for more polish imo dont get it. He doesn't need it and right now he's basically the starting goaltender for a playoff push, late in the year, and has a 90% save percentage as a raw rookie. Just cut the cord, this is all the experience he needs. He can develop in the offseason with the team, no need to send him down then back up again. Just move forward with him



He'll be in Buffalo. I'm not saying he won't struggle and may end up being sent down but he'll start the season in Buffalo. He's the best goalie in their system.

[Mr. Pink]

Your criticisms are not unwarranted. At the same time, our other goalies suck. Anderson is past his prime. UPL is a tweener between an NHL backup and an AHL starter.

Levi makes mistakes but he also does things that are way beyond what most goalies with that limited experience can do.

At this point, what makes more sense? Playoff hopes are just a thread. Neither Anderson nor UPL will get us there. Levi most likely won’t either, but at least he’s getting NHL experience while the team is still fighting.

I don't know what makes more sense.

The worry has to be that he gets completely rattled and his confidence completely shot from having to play in these high pressure type of games where let's face it, he isn't exactly playing well.

I'm not saying he can't be the guy one day but he needs a lot of seasoning at this point and he's been put into a spot that he's not ready for right now.

Another half of a game and the goals he's allowed again are because of big juicy rebounds and/or completely losing track of where the puck is. The third goal the Devils scored, Levi was looking back in the net before the puck even got back there.

[sukie]

I don't know what makes more sense.

The worry has to be that he gets completely rattled and his confidence completely shot from having to play in these high pressure type of games where let's face it, he isn't exactly playing well.

I'm not saying he can't be the guy one day but he needs a lot of seasoning at this point and he's been put into a spot that he's not ready for right now.

Another half of a game and the goals he's allowed again are because of big juicy rebounds and/or completely losing track of where the puck is. The third goal the Devils scored, Levi was looking back in the net before the puck even got back there.
Yeah… follow the “seasoning” recipe of UPL… it’s brilliant.

[Cali512]

I don't know what makes more sense.

The worry has to be that he gets completely rattled and his confidence completely shot from having to play in these high pressure type of games where let's face it, he isn't exactly playing well.

I'm not saying he can't be the guy one day but he needs a lot of seasoning at this point and he's been put into a spot that he's not ready for right now.

Another half of a game and the goals he's allowed again are because of big juicy rebounds and/or completely losing track of where the puck is. The third goal the Devils scored, Levi was looking back in the net before the puck even got back there.


Would rather those goals than any goal possible

Hes playing better than any goalie the sabres have had this season in the highest pressure moments of the season. Its not like today we were focussed on giving him help, every play was us trying to get the puck on a rush


You act like his main flaw of losing control of the puck or site in a scrum is somehow a bad thing. Thats literally the most fixable possible thing a goaltender could get used to. That is strictly due to him being raw, everything else he does is unteachable. Him getting across in wide open attempts, his positioning on breakways/shootouts, his ability to make amazing saves, his ability to make saves during point shots, those are skills a lot of players never develop. Finding the puck in a scrum will be easily fixable during time, when the game gets slower

Hes played great this season especially for the circumstances he was put in. He was put into a desperate playoff push and hes played good enough to win

[JATMtheJATM]

Come on… have you had the trauma removed from your memory? The nickname “Mr Softey”? That therapy worked too well.

The nickname me softy wasn't deaerved

[YardRat]

He's 21 years old and has a bunch of amateur experience in pressure situations. He has been thrust immediately into the pro level, during an end of season playoff push, and has performed really well for the most part...they certainly aren't losing games because of him. He needs a bunch more development and experience obviously, not convinced the best place for that is Rochester.

[JATMtheJATM]

He's 21 years old and has a bunch of amateur experience in pressure situations. He has been thrust immediately into the pro level, during an end of season playoff push, and has performed really well for the most part...they certainly aren't losing games because of him. He needs a bunch more development and experience obviously, not convinced the best place for that is Rochester.

Agree with most of this. The Levi we see now is a very raw version of the Levi the Sabres will hopefully develop. Last night, he got exposed a few times by a VERY good Devils team. We all knew it would happen eventually. We all know it'll happen again.

I've been vocal in my support of having Levi in Roch for development, but I can certainly see the other end of that debate as well.

All I know is we got a goalie for the future and I don't wanna mess it up. And several games in April like Levi has had isnt going to do that