It’s no secret that the Devils are available in the market for a backup goaltender. Former star goalie Cory Schneider was horrendous this marketing campaign, recording a Three-6-2 report, with an terrible .887 save proportion. Within the AHL, Schneider didn’t honest significantly better, as he went 7-7-Zero with a .903 save proportion. This makes the 4th straight 12 months the place Schneider has been ineffective, as you possibly can see within the stats hooked up beneath.
So, with Schneider not trying like a dependable backup goalie for the longer term, it looks as if the Devils might want to discover different choices in the marketplace/internally. In the present day, we’ll deal with exterior choices – gamers who may doubtlessly be part of the Devils, and truly assist the crew.
Class 1: Ought to Not Signal
Braden Holtby: No. Simply no. Braden Holtby, much like Schneider, was not efficient in any respect within the earlier season. Regardless of a misleading 25-14-6 report, Holtby recorded an terrible .897 save proportion, and ended up getting changed by Ilya Samsonov halfway by means of the season. To make it worse, Holtby is prone to command a big wage, and hope to win the beginning goaltending spot for himself. As such, the Devils ought to keep away from Holtby just like the plague.
Robin Lehner: Not on the Devils’ facet as a lot, however I doubt that Lehner would settle for a proposal to change into Mackenzie Blackwood’s backup. Lehner has been wonderful the previous two seasons, and I see no cause for him to accept a backup place.
Jimmy Howard: Think about Schneider, however doubtlessly extra mediocre.
Class 2: Reputable Choices
Aaron Dell: At one time limit, Aaron Dell was making severe strides as a possible beginning possibility goalie for the Sharks. That point is gone now, however Dell has established himself as a respectable goalie possibility in free company. Within the earlier season, Dell recorded a 12-15-Three report, with a .907 save proportion. Whereas not nice by any means, Dell did carry out considerably higher than Schneider did, and is only some seasons faraway from a .931 save proportion.
At this level, it’s unknown what Dell is looking for in his subsequent contract. He’s unlikely to return to the Sharks and likewise has not confirmed himself able to a much bigger function. As such, Dell appears to be an inexpensive possibility for the Devils to focus on, if they need an improve from Schneider that doesn’t threaten Blackwood’s spot in objective.
Cam Talbot: After a latest stretch of mediocre seasons, Cam Talbot emerged once more with the Flames, recording an stable 12-10-1 report, with a .919 save proportion. Moreover, he was glorious within the playoffs, recording a .924 save proportion by means of 10 video games.
Sadly for Talbot, he’s a 33 12 months outdated goaltender, coming off a horrible season previous to the present marketing campaign with Edmonton. As such, he’s unlikely to see any crew decide to him long-term, and would probably need to accept a backup function whatever the present marketing campaign. As such, if his worth is low sufficient, I wouldn’t thoughts for the Devils to signal him up for the approaching season.
My Ideas
I’m not solely certain if my opinion is the unpopular opinion, however I don’t essentially assume the Devils have to discover free company for a backup goaltender. Sure, Cory Schneider is a shell of his earlier self – however are the Devils going to compete anyway? Much less insane development from Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt and Ty Smith, I don’t see the Devils rising as a respectable contender within the coming season no matter who their backup goalie is. As such, I wouldn’t thoughts holding onto Schneider for yet one more season and chopping that contract one 12 months shorter, earlier than then consuming a cap penalty if the Devils really feel like they will compete. Moreover, if Schneider doesn’t work out and needs to be despatched again to the AHL, the Devils have goaltenders internally like Gilles Senn who may emerge as respectable backup goalie choices, and I’d relatively they use him then spend 2.5 million on a Cam Talbot or Aaron Dell. I don’t know although – I might be overthinking this.
Your Ideas
Am I fully improper? Are there every other choices you’d just like the Devils to discover? Let me know within the feedback beneath, and take care.