Northeastern Professional Athletes

The Devon Levi Situation in Edmonton Is Complicated — and Compelling

Devon Levi's first weeks as an Edmonton Oiler have been anything but quiet. The Northeastern product was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres this offseason as part of GM Stan Bowman's overhaul of a goaltending corps that had been a franchise liability. Paired with Stanley Cup winner Frederik Andersen, Levi arrived with something to prove — and early returns were promising enough to spark a real debate about who owns the crease long-term.

In a 4-3 overtime win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Levi stopped 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a controlled, confident performance. Two nights later against the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes — winners of eight of their first eleven games — the Oilers pulled off a 6-5 thriller, though Levi was tagged for five goals on 27 shots (.815 SV%) in the back-and-forth affair. That the Oilers survived both tests at 7-1-1 softened the scrutiny.

What drew the most attention this week, though, wasn't the results — it was what happened in practice. Levi debuted a notable technical adjustment in net, signaling that the 23-year-old is actively evolving his game in a new environment. The Hockey News raised the question openly: is Levi the true goaltender of the future in Edmonton?

That question may have to wait. Before the Oilers' matchup with Carolina, Edmonton announced a decision on Levi tied to an injury, forcing the team into emergency measures — including a call-up of veteran netminder Matt Tomkins to cover the vacancy. The setback is the latest chapter in a start-stop NHL career that has never quite let Levi build momentum for a sustained stretch.

Shea Skates Through It All

While the goaltending drama swirled, fellow Northeastern alum Ryan Shea was quietly logging minutes on the Edmonton blue line in front of Levi — making this an uncommon moment of dual-Husky representation on the same NHL roster. Shea went +1 in the Oilers' wild 6-5 win over Carolina on Friday before finishing -2 in a 7-2 blowout loss to Toronto on Saturday. His week was a microcosm of the Oilers' own volatility: capable of brilliant highs and jarring lows within 24 hours.

Around the League

Elsewhere, Jayden Struble (Predators) found the scoresheet Saturday, netting a goal in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh — a bright spot in a tough week that also included a -2 outing against Boston. Sam Colangelo (Ducks) had a solid stretch, posting an assist in Anaheim's loss to New Jersey and going +1 in a 5-4 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday. Michael Kesselring logged heavy minutes for San Jose across four games but finished -2 in the Sharks' Saturday loss to the Bruins. Josh Manson helped Colorado to a 6-3 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday. Jamie Oleksiak had a rough road trip with Vancouver, posting -2 in back-to-back losses to Detroit and Carolina.

The bigger story, though, belongs to Edmonton — where two Huskies are navigating one of the NHL's most scrutinized situations, and where Levi's health will shape the Oilers' goaltending picture for weeks to come.

Devon Levi's Redemption Arc Is Well Underway

The narrative around Devon Levi's move to Edmonton started with a nightmare — seven goals allowed in his first start as an Oiler. Less than two weeks later, the Northeastern product is the hottest goaltender in the NHL.

On Tuesday, Oct. 14, Levi turned in a career-high 39-save performance in a dominant 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, stopping 97.5% of shots faced and backstopping Edmonton to a fifth straight win. Connor McDavid had four points, Vasily Podkolzin scored twice, and Leon Draisaitl added one — but Levi was the story. His 39 saves marked a personal best and, per Heavy Sports, a feat that had never been done before for the Oilers franchise. That's the kind of headline that quiets doubt fast.

The trade from Buffalo raised eyebrows given Levi's rough first outing, but the Oilers knew what they were buying. With Frederik Andersen sidelined by injury to open the season, Levi's role became critical immediately. He has responded by anchoring a 5-0-1 start in which Edmonton has scored at least three goals in every game. The saves are piling up; so is the belief.

Friday brought a tougher night — a 4-2 loss to Utah in which Levi stopped 20 of 24 shots — but even in defeat, his numbers were workmanlike. The hot stretch is the story, not one stumble.

Fellow Oiler and Northeastern alum Ryan Shea was on the ice for both contests this week, though he didn't register a point in either game.

Other Alumni Worth Tracking

Michael Kesselring (Sharks, D) had a quietly productive week, picking up assists in back-to-back games on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, finishing plus-2 across those two outings. San Jose is not a playoff contender, but Kesselring continues to build his resume.

Jayden Struble (Predators, D) had a different kind of notable week. The 25-year-old stood out in his Predators debut, playing with poise despite short notice and the challenge of adapting to a new defensive system, per Sports Illustrated. Results on the scoresheet weren't there — he went minus-3 across two games this week — but the early buzz around his fit in Nashville is worth watching as the season develops.

Josh Manson (Avalanche, D) contributed an assist and finished plus-1 in Colorado's 3-2 win over Dallas on Oct. 14. He was held off the scoresheet in two other appearances this week.

Jamie Oleksiak (Canucks, D) logged three games without recording a point as Vancouver dropped all three contests.

The week belonged to Levi — and it wasn't particularly close. A Northeastern goalie is making franchise history in one of the NHL's marquee markets. Huskies fans in Edmonton have reason to be loud.