[The Athletic] Classement des 20 meilleurs candidats au trophée Calder pour la saison 2023-2024 de la LNH

2 Comments

1. seeldoger47 1 an ago

   Levi is ranked third:

   >There are a lot of promising, high-pedigree rookie goaltenders who could break out this season. But Levi has the clearest opportunity out of that pack to cement a No. 1 role.

   >Buffalo’s decision not to add a big-name goaltender in a year where there’s pressure to contend for a playoff spot, especially when you consider that No. 2 option Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had only an .892 save percentage in 33 games last year, speaks volumes about the club’s confidence in Levi.

   >At Northeastern, Levi became the first player in history to win the Mike Richter Award as the best goaltender in the NCAA two years in a row. He signed his entry-level contract at the end of the college year and looked sharp in seven NHL starts down the stretch.

   >One of the biggest questions surrounding his Calder chances will be how Buffalo performs defensively. Goalie stats like save percentage can be heavily influenced by the quality of defensive play in front and last year the Sabres allowed way too many high-danger chances. Buffalo’s defensive improvement will hinge on factors like towering defensive defenseman Mattias Samuelsson’s ability to stay healthy, how new blueliners Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson fit in and whether some of the young, high-octane top-nine forwards can play a more mature all-around game.

   >If Levi can stabilize the crease and lead the Sabres back into the playoffs, he’ll have one heck of a Calder case. — Harman Dayal

2. JoshAllensRightNut 1 an ago

   Let’s gooo