Senators on the Hunt for a Backup Netminder
Ottawa's front office has set its sights on a familiar face from the Eastern Conference as the Senators look to address one of their key off-season priorities: finding a capable backup goaltender to spell starter Linus Ullmark.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, the Senators have shown interest in Buffalo Sabres netminder Devon Levi — a name that should be well-known to Ottawa hockey fans who've watched him frustrate the Sens from the opposite crease in recent seasons.
Who Is Devon Levi?
Levi, a Montreal native, was one of the more intriguing young goaltenders to emerge in the NHL over the past couple of seasons. He broke out with Buffalo after an impressive NCAA career at Northeastern University and a standout performance for Canada at the World Juniors — where he posted a near-perfect save percentage and cemented his status as a legitimate NHL prospect.
With the Sabres, Levi has faced the challenge many talented players in Buffalo know well: developing on a team still searching for its identity. Despite the surrounding roster uncertainty in Buffalo, Levi showed flashes of the talent that made him a coveted prospect. His athleticism, compete level, and ability to steal games made him a fan favourite in western New York — and apparently caught the eye of Ottawa's management as well.
The Case for Levi Behind Ullmark
Linus Ullmark — acquired by Ottawa in the off-season that preceded this one — is expected to anchor the Senators' crease as the clear number one. But any competitive NHL team knows a strong backup is essential to surviving an 82-game grind. Injuries happen, fatigue sets in, and the ability to confidently turn to your backup can be the difference between a playoff run and a missed opportunity.
Levi's youth and upside make him an appealing option. Rather than a veteran stopgap, bringing in Levi would give Ottawa a backup with legitimate starting potential — someone who could push Ullmark and provide genuine competition in practice, while also being capable of stealing a game when called upon.
For a Senators team trending upward under head coach Travis Green, pairing Ullmark with a high-ceiling backup like Levi would represent a meaningful upgrade in goaltending depth.
What This Means for Sens Fans
For Ottawa fans who've watched the goaltending carousel spin for years, the possibility of a stable, talented tandem in net is an exciting prospect. The Senators have the pieces up front and on the blue line to be dangerous — the crease has often been the question mark.
If the Senators can land Levi, they'd be adding a player who is still on the ascending side of his career, with years of development ahead of him. It would also be a notable acquisition from a division rival, giving Ottawa a netminder who understands the style of play in the Eastern Conference's competitive Atlantic Division.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but the interest is real — and Sens fans have plenty of reason to watch this one closely as the off-season unfolds.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — ottawacitizen.com
