The Edmonton Oilers left draft weekend without making the goaltending splash many expected, but that doesn’t mean they stood still behind the scenes. As new details continue to emerge, it has become clear that the front office explored multiple avenues before the board settled.
One previously undisclosed conversation has now added another context to Edmonton’s plans in net, opening the door to a closer look at a goalie the Oilers quietly investigated during the draft.
Elliotte Friedman Reveals Oilers’ Interest in Devon Levi
The Oilers’ search for help between the pipes extended beyond their well-known interest in former Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa. During the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Edmonton also spent time investigating Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi during the draft.
Friedman explained, “You know, it was interesting. I heard Buffalo had Devon Levi out there quite a bit on the weekend, and I heard one team that did some real research into him was Edmonton, but obviously that didn’t happen.”
Friedman added that Buffalo’s long-term goaltending picture could change if the organization completes a trade involving Connor Hellebuyck, noting, “I don’t know what Levi’s future is going to be in Buffalo, so that’ll be an interesting one to watch.”
The report fits Edmonton’s recent approach to addressing its goaltending concerns. Tristan Jarry is the only experienced netminder under contract after an inconsistent season, while Connor Ingram is expected to enter free agency.
This uncertainty explains why general manager Stan Bowman explored multiple trade possibilities instead of focusing on a single target.
Before Friedman’s comments surfaced, Edmonton was heavily linked to Detroit prospect Sebastian Cossa during the draft.
However, the Oilers lacked the first-round pick needed to complete a deal, allowing the Utah Mammoth to acquire the 23-year-old goalie in exchange for the No. 23 overall selection. The missed opportunity reinforced how limited Edmonton’s draft capital is after previous win-now trades.
Following Cossa’s move, attention is on other realistic options. The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell highlighted another name worth monitoring on X, writing, “AHL SP last season: Cossa .915, Michael DiPietro .930; Devon Levi .904. Cossa’s price tag was way too high, and DiPietro may still be available.”
His observation points toward a more affordable route for Edmonton. Michael DiPietro is coming off a dominant AHL campaign that included a 34-8-1 record, a league-leading 1.91 goals-against average, and consecutive AHL Goalie of the Year honors.
With only an $812,500 cap hit and Boston facing a potential waiver decision, he could become a practical trade candidate without requiring premium assets.
Although the Oilers left draft weekend without adding an NHL-ready goalie, Friedman’s report confirms the front office actively explored the market.
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Whether Edmonton revisits Levi, pivots toward DiPietro, or pursues another option, the search for a dependable crease solution remains one of the organization’s biggest priorities entering free agency.
