Goaltending has been a position that has been in some flux for the Devils recently. The team struggled mightily between the pipes last season in large part due to injuries. Things were looking good early on this season but Mackenzie Blackwood is now hurt, Jonathan Bernier is still a long way from potentially returning, and Vitek Vanecek left Thursday’s game with an injury as well. Speaking with Ryan Novozinsky of the Newark Star-Ledger prior to that contest, GM Tom Fitzgerald indicated that they’re open to making a move when it comes to the goalie front.
We’ll explore anything and everything. If it makes sense to keep us from overworking certain goalies or if we prefer to keep our guys in AHL.
The good news for the Devils is that Vanecek made a brief appearance at practice Friday which bodes well for his short-term availability. But in the meantime, Akira Schmid finished up Thursday’s contest (picking up his first career victory) and is the short-term starter until Vanecek is cleared to come back. Blackwood is going to miss another three-to-six weeks with his MCL injury while there is no timeline for if or when Bernier might return as he works his way back from hip issues. Accordingly, if Fitzgerald wants Schmid back in the minors, he may have to look for another goalie.
The uncertainty with Bernier makes that idea a lot easier said than done. If they knew that the 34-year-old wouldn’t be back, they could comfortably spend most of his $4.25MM AAV which would give them ample space to add a capable veteran second netminder. However, since it’s possible he returns, they can’t really do that as they’ll need to be cap-compliant if Bernier is able to come off LTIR and suit up.
Accordingly, it’s possible that Fitzgerald turns to the approach he used last season and looks for a veteran depth option to serve as the backup, a move he made twice in 2021-22 when he added Jon Gillies and Andrew Hammond in separate swaps. Such a swap shouldn’t cost a lot in terms of acquisition cost and would involve a player that could be waived and come off the cap entirely, presenting no risk if Bernier is able to return. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Devils make a small move to add a little more goaltending insurance over the next little while.
Why didn’t they just claim Brossoit on waivers? Use him for as long as you need to then waive him when you don’t need him anymore…
It won’t just be the injury that makes teams hesitate to claim Brossoit. He has a $2.325MM cap hit this season in the final year of his deal and he was brutal in the conditioning games, allowing nine goals on 39 shots. For someone to invest in him now, it would mean keeping him on the NHL roster. Even last season didn’t go well, with Brossoit posting an .895 in 24 games for Vegas.
To be fair his cap is now 1.25 m next time he goes on waivers which will happen is going to make it easier to be claimed.
Brossoit cap is lower now. Next time he goes on waivers he will be claimed.
4 years, $16M, 10 games between Crawford and Bernier. Unfortunate or careless?
Jack Campbell for Jesper Bratt. Thats fair right?? ;)