Possible trade between the CH and Sabres: Hughes could find Carey Price's replacement in Buffalo

PUBLICATION

Jeff Drouin
September 18, 2022 (2:19 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Now that Carey Price has been placed on the long-term injured list, it opens the door to all sorts of speculation as to the organization's plans for its goaltenders.

Jake Allen will likely be the starting goaltender for the 2022-2023 season and he will be assisted by Samuel Montembeault. Also, don't forget that Cayden Primeau has signed a one-year deal and in the event of an injury, he could arrive in Montreal sooner than expected.

However, Primeau has not yet convinced the Habs' management that he is the organization's goalie of the future and if his progress does not take an important step during the season, Kent Hughes could look into the trade market to find another goalie.

We told you a few days ago that there were some interesting options on the market in an article by Jimmy Murphy of Montreal Hockey Now.

And now two of the goalies suggested by the tipster could very well be traded in the near future. As Jeremie Lussier of Danslescoulisses.com reports, the Buffalo Sabres have two very good young goalies in their organization in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi (in addition to Erik Portillo and Eric Comrie).

While it was surprising that either one of them could take the Sabres' number one goaltender job from Craig Anderson this year, the fact remains that eventually, Luukkonen and Levi will have their sights set on becoming the organization's goaltender of the future.

The name Devon Levi may ring a bell, as he was the goalie for Team Canada at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championships in Edmonton. He was very solid as he led his team to the final, which Canada lost 2-0 to the United States and a certain Spencer Knight.

In 2021-2022, in his first season with Northeastern University, Levi won the Mike Richter Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the NCAA, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Trophy, awarded to the best player in the NCAA.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played nine games last year with the Sabres and appears to be closer to a goaltending job in Buffalo than Levi, who will play another season in college.

That's not to say he's ahead of Levi, but only one of these two goalies will ever be the Sabres' number one and it wouldn't be surprising if the other could be traded to another NHL team.

Could the Habs be interested in either of them? Clearly, Kent Hughes is in the market for another very promising young goalie, and the Sabres have several.

It's certainly possible that Hughes will make a call to the Sabres' general manager, that would make perfect sense, and in the case of Devon Levi, he played last year with Jordan Harris and Jayden Struble, two prospects on defense for the Habs.

And let's not forget a certain Jack Hughes, the son of the other as they say. Basically, the Habs GM knows Devon Levi very well.

Who knows, maybe the connection between Kent Hughes and the university ranks would be an advantage to discuss with his counterpart of the Sabres for a possible transaction.

Which one would you target? Levi? Luukkonen? Comrie? It will definitely be something to watch, especially in the case of Devon Levi, a goalie from Dollard-des-Ormeaux. He could be a great target for the Montreal Canadiens on the trade market.

LET'S NOT FORGET PRIMEAU

Yes, Cayden Primeau could be the CH's goalie of the future, but the organization can't necessarily afford to go completely all-in with him, it would take another alternative, and that alternative could well be in Buffalo.