Regardless of solely taking part in 16 video games, the New Jersey Devils’ goaltending stays a significant difficulty. Normal supervisor Tom Fitzgerald took a calculated danger by sticking with the tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid and to date it has not labored out. For Vanecek, it seems extra like his struggles on the finish of final season are nonetheless there regardless of a 7-4-0 document. For Schmid, he’s displaying extra indicators that he may have to return all the way down to the American Hockey League and get some extra seasoning. It’s not the one difficulty the staff has been going through, however it’s one which wants a significant retool.
So the query turns into clear: What ought to the Devils do to lastly remedy their goaltending woes? There are two potential methods. The primary is probably going for now, hoping that Vanecek and/or Schmid start to carry out higher. Whereas neither has proven indicators of enchancment, it’s a chance issues can flip round. The opposite is to exit and discover an skilled netminder to be paired with Vanecek so Schmid can get some growth within the minors. Who could be the potential choices for New Jersey? Let’s have a look.
Possibility 1: Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
Through the offseason, the Devils have been reportedly trying into some big-name goalies to doubtlessly purchase. The largest title was Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets. Sadly for the Devils, with Hellebuyck now signed long-term in Winnipeg, that choice is now off the desk. Nonetheless, there may be one other title that popped up and continues to be a chance for the Backyard State staff and that’s Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros. Regardless of the curiosity, it’s unsure if the netminder will likely be out there for commerce primarily based on reviews.
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The Predators have gotten off to a sluggish begin this season as they at present put up a 7-10-0 document and are 5 factors out of a playoff spot. With a brand new regime taking up generally supervisor Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette — a former Devils’ assistant — it’s potential they could resolve to enter full rebuild in the event that they don’t flip round this season. If that’s the case, it’s potential Saros could be made out there. He could be a big-time improve if the Devils have been capable of swing a commerce for the 28-year-old.
Saros has had an excellent NHL profession so far. Via 300 video games performed, he has posted a 152-104-27 document with a .918 save share (SV%) and a 2.60 goals-against common (GAA.) He’s been a Vezina Trophy finalist in every of the previous three seasons and is barely now in his prime. Whereas his 2023-24 marketing campaign hasn’t regarded good, the shortage of success will not be fully on him. This might be the best commerce to make to instantly enhance the expertise between the pipes for the Devils. He additionally has yet another yr left on his present contract at $5 million which might give the Devils extra time to let him settle in and persuade him to remain long-term.
Nonetheless, in line with Trotz, it seems the Predators intend to re-sign the Finnish goaltender. Whether or not this occurs stays to be seen, particularly if the Predators’ season continues to go downhill.
Possibility 2: John Gibson, Anaheim Geese
One other title the Devils have been rumored to doubtlessly go after was Anaheim Geese’ John Gibson. The largest issues for Gibson are for one, his contract size and common annual worth (AAV.) He at present has three extra years left at an AAV of $6.4 million. Even with the wage cap slated to go up, having that contract on the books would make issues harder on Fitzgerald to maintain a wholesome cap to signal different guys. The opposite concern is his efficiency of late.
His GAA has been 3.00 or larger in three of his previous 4 seasons and has had only one 20-win season in these previous 4 seasons. It’s definitely potential {that a} huge a part of the issue is the shortage of expertise and assistance on the backend the Geese have had, however nonetheless the stats are a bit worrisome. It’s nonetheless early within the season, however Gibson has had an up-and-down begin. He’s posted a 4-5-0 document which isn’t nice, however has a stable 2.26 GAA and a .927 SV%. Maybe going to a contender such because the Devils might assist Gibson get again to a stage he was at earlier in his profession.
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There would definitely need to be some cap maneuvering to make a deal like this work. It additionally ought to be famous that the Geese are at present 9-9-0 and only one level out of a playoff spot. This deal could by no means occur if the Geese are in the midst of a playoff race by the commerce deadline. Nonetheless, Gibson continues to be a reputation to maintain and eye on for those who’re in New Jersey.
Possibility 3: Jake Allen, Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have been carrying three goalies for many of the season and a number of other groups are monitoring that state of affairs to see if the Habs will certainly commerce one among them. The one who most certainly is to go and has the curiosity of a number of is Jake Allen. For my part, this feels just like the most certainly netminder for the Devils to go after within the short-term. Allen has a ton of expertise and has all the time been only a stable man between the pipes. He has received 186 of his 403-career video games with a .909 SV% and a pair of.72 GAA.
Allen additionally has one yr left after this season at simply $3.85 million. Having a stable backup resembling Allen behind Vanecek would make it simpler for the Devils to ship Schmid all the way down to the Utica Comets to develop extra and provides him extra time to really put together to be a full-time NHL goalie. I additionally don’t consider Allen would value a ton to accumulate. The difficulty will likely be if the Devils will make the most effective provide with different groups additionally want of a goaltenders on the market. If the Devils do certainly get him, it might be a really stable addition.
It’s nonetheless fairly early within the season, however the Devils ought to at the very least look deeper into choices that might enhance the general goaltending state of affairs. Fitzgerald must make selections quick earlier than this season begins to spiral uncontrolled.
