Which Sabres goaltender could draw some interest in this summer’s trade market? Should the Islanders target a young Sharks winger? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS COULD TARGET SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who reported Friday that the Senators have shown an interest in Devon Levi of the Buffalo Sabres as a potential backup for starting goaltender Linus Ullmark.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (NHL Images).

Levi, 24, spent last season with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester. He would reportedly welcome a change of scenery after being squeezed out of the Sabres’ goalie picture by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis.

Weekes believes Levi still has potential. Garrioch pointed to his collegiate career and his performance with Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World Juniors. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $812,500 and is no longer exempt from waivers.

If the Sabres want a goalie in return, it could cost the Senators Leevi Merilainen, who is a restricted free agent on July 1 and also no longer waiver-exempt.

Garrioch also reports the Senators are believed to be interested in pending unrestricted free agents, such as Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James wondered if the Flyers should pursue Levi. He pointed out that current Flyers backup Samuel Ersson was inconsistent this season and is RFA-eligible on July 1. Given Levi’s reduced trade value, he could become an affordable acquisition for the Flyers, perhaps costing a mid to late round draft pick.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples included Levi among his list of potential goalie targets for the Oilers.

Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, Samuel Montembeault, and Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets were also on Staples’ list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Levi would be the most affordable of those goalies for the Senators, Flyers, and Oilers to pursue. His limited NHL experience makes him a gamble, albeit one that won’t create a salary-cap headache or put a serious dent into their tradeable assets.

SHOULD THE ISLANDERS TARGET A YOUNG SHARKS WINGER?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias believes the New York Islanders will attempt to add to their roster this summer. They need a scoring forward and depth on the right side of their defense.

Macias noted that the Islanders have spent the past several years adding stopgap measures and failed experiments to address their roster weaknesses. He recommends that GM Mathieu Darche bring in a clear top-line winger, especially with Victor Eklund looking like a future NHL player.

Macias suggested Darche consider acquiring Eklund’s older brother, William, who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eklund surfaced in trade rumors following the March trade deadline. The Sharks’ growing list of promising young forwards has some observers suggesting the 24-year-old winger could become a trade chip this summer to add an experienced defenseman to their blue line.

So far, there is no indication that the Islanders are interested in Eklund, but if they were, Alexander Romanov could interest the Sharks. The 26-year-old is a physical blueliner who missed most of this season recovering from shoulder surgery.

When healthy, Romanov could make a good addition to the Sharks’ defense corps, and he would be closer in age to the Sharks’ young core players.