Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, retroactive to Feb. 21, by the New Jersey Devils, the team announced on Twitter.
Blackwood’s injury comes just a day after Devils fans were celebrating the Timo Meier trade with the San Jose Sharks. Blackwood has been no stranger to the injured list in recent seasons, and has played just 17 games this season with a 3.04 GAA and .900 save percentage.
The Devils have received strong play in the crease this season from Vitek Vanecek, who has shined with a 2.37 GAA and .913 save percentage with 25 wins in 38 games played this season.
Rookie goaltender Akira Schmid also recorded a 23-save shutout for his first NHL win on Saturday in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
The future of Blackwood in New Jersey was an unclear situation that is made even muddier by the announcement Monday he is headed to the IR yet again. With the Devils’ focus turning toward being ready for the postseason, if Blackwood is unable to suit up for the stretch run, he may be left out of New Jersey’s future plans.
Blackwood is set to be a restricted free agent this summer, and with his status being almost an annual uncertainty, he very well may find himself without a qualifying offer and on the open market this offseason.
That’s a crying shame… Blackwood is a very good goaltender and a great team guy… regretably that and $2 bucks gets you a cup of coffee.