Flyers Eye Devon Levi as Potential Goalie Solution

The Philadelphia Flyers are gearing up for a pivotal offseason, with a primary focus on securing a reliable backup to complement starting goalie Dan Vladar. While the future of incumbent backup Sam Ersson remains uncertain—his inconsistent performances have left much to be desired over his three-year tenure with the Flyers—management is weighing their options carefully.

If the Flyers decide to move on from Ersson, they face two potential paths: either sign a goalie from a lackluster pool of free agents or explore the trade market. The latter option appears to be the most promising, with the Buffalo Sabres emerging as a potential trade partner.

Buffalo boasts a depth chart of four goalies who could be NHL regulars, all under contract for the upcoming season. Leading the pack are seasoned veterans Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, while Colten Ellis, a waiver claim from the St. Louis Blues, made his debut this season, posting an 8-4-2 record along with a 2.90 GAA and a .903 save percentage.

However, it’s the intriguing prospect of Devon Levi that may catch the Flyers’ attention. At just 24 years old, Levi has played 39 NHL games over three seasons, compiling a 17-17-2 record with a 3.29 GAA and .894 save percentage. His numbers, while modest, have been impacted by a challenging nine-game stretch last season, where he struggled with a 4.12 GAA and .872 save percentage. Despite his potential, Levi finds himself without a clear path to a roster spot in Buffalo, especially after the Sabres’ recent management shake-up.

For the Flyers, the situation is ripe for opportunity. Behind Vladar, the current backup options include Aleksei Kolosov, who recently signed a one-year deal, and 20-year-old Carson Bjarnason, who is just beginning his professional journey after a stint in the ECHL. While Kolosov may step in as a backup, the prospect of him becoming a starter in the event of an injury to Vladar is concerning.

According to longtime NHL analyst Jeff Marek, relations between Levi and the Sabres have soured, paving the way for a potential trade. The acquisition cost for Levi is likely to be manageable, given Buffalo’s surplus of goaltenders and his minimal one-year contract at an $812.5k cap hit.

The Flyers could also hedge their bets by bringing in seasoned free agents like Matt Murray, Vitek Vanecek, or even former Flyer Cam Talbot during training camp. However, if all goes well, Levi could emerge as a starting-caliber goalie, forming a formidable duo with Vladar.

As Levi approaches a critical contract year, he will undoubtedly be motivated to prove himself after being overlooked. The Flyers have a history of successfully targeting players seeking a fresh start, and this may be the moment for both Levi and the franchise to seize an opportunity for growth and success.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.