Montreal Canadiens reportedly trying to acquire top goaltending prospect
The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly trying to get their hands on a young goaltending prospect currently in the U.S. College system. Maxime Truman of BPMSports in Montreal claims the Habs aren't just interested in Devon Levi, whose rights currently belong to the Buffalo Sabres, but started negotiations with his team at the 2022 NHL Draft. While those talks didn't come to fruition, Truman said the Sabres and Canadiens have talked more since then, with negotiations expected to continue.
"The Canadiens are interested in Devon Levi...but the price to acquire him is very high. [Habs GM Kent Hughes] had talks at the draft. Those didn't end, and the Canadiens renegotiated and will renegotiate," said Truman on his French language program.
For Montreal, the move makes sense. Hughes has stated that the team currently has no future number one NHL goaltender in its system and he would be looking elsewhere to get one. The problem is most certainly the price. Buffalo won't let Levi go easily and there's no reason they have to. He was named the top goaltender at the 2020 World Juniors, and is showing some remarkable numbers in NCAA hockey, including a save percentage of .952 in 32 games with Northeastern University last season. The Sabres are hoping Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the team's future number one, but there are no sure bets.
Levi was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers, but was sent to Buffalo in the trade that sent Sam Reinhart to Miami in July of 2021.
Top 10 latest hockey stories
