Devon Levi hasn't had time to unpack in Edmonton — and he may not need to.
The Northeastern alumnus and goaltender, newly acquired by the Oilers, is already at the center of a blockbuster trade pitch that would send him to another team in exchange for Connor Hellebuyck, one of the most decorated goalies of his generation. The proposal, surfaced by Heavy Sports, reflects both how quickly the NHL trade market moves and how highly Levi is valued as a chip — even by the team that just acquired him.
The logic is straightforward, if jarring: Hellebuyck is a proven, franchise-caliber starter with a Vezina pedigree, while Levi, at 23, represents upside and cost control. For a win-now Oilers squad still chasing a Stanley Cup, the calculus of trading a promising young goalie for an established one isn't hard to follow. But it also underscores the precarious position Levi occupies — talented enough to anchor a rebuild, valuable enough to be dangled in conversations about elite veterans.
For Northeastern fans, Levi's trajectory has been one of the program's marquee pro stories. A standout with the Huskies before turning heads internationally, he's developed into a legitimate NHL-caliber starter. Whether he stays in Edmonton or becomes a cornerstone elsewhere, his name being attached to a Hellebuyck-level deal is its own form of validation.
The Broader Northeastern Footprint
Levi may be the headline, but the Huskies' NHL presence extends well across the league. Jordan Harris is patrolling the blue line for the hometown Bruins, while Jamie Oleksiak anchors the back end for the Canucks. Josh Manson continues to contribute for the Avalanche, and Matt Benning brings veteran depth to the Maple Leafs alongside fellow Northeastern alum Cayden Primeau, who holds down the backup goalie role in Toronto.
Up front, Adam Gaudette and Cameron Lund are both in the Sharks' system, while Tyler Madden suits up for the Kings and Zach Aston-Reese brings his trademark physicality to the Blue Jackets. Sam Colangelo is working his way through the Ducks organization, and Jack Williams gives Columbus another Northeastern name on the roster.
Ryan Shea, notably, is a teammate of Levi's in Edmonton — giving the Oilers two Huskies on the roster, at least for now.
The Northeastern pipeline into the NHL has rarely looked deeper. But it's Levi, caught between a fresh start and a potential blockbuster, who commands the attention this week. Whether Edmonton holds or deals, the former Husky is unmistakably in the conversation at the highest level of the sport.
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