New Jersey Devils Q&A - May 25, 2023

I answered your questions re: the Devils' options in goal, contracts for Meier and Bratt, Holtz' future, and much more.

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I haven’t done a Q&A since The Stone Age. With the off-season yet to kick into high gear, I figured now was as good of a time as any to do one and help set the table for what’s to come.

Let’s get right to it.

Q: Would you continue with Vanacek and Schmid next season or would you look to bring in a new goalie? If so, who?

This probably won’t be a popular take but I am perfectly fine going into next season with that tandem. Some of it could be word play – and trying to instil some confidence back into Vanecek – but I believe Fitzgerald when he said he was happy with the goaltending this year.

League average save percentage was right around .900 flat. Vanecek finished the regular season at .911 and won more than 30 games. He disappointed in the playoffs, absolutely, but he did his job and then some during the regular season.

Akira Schmid took a huge step forward as well. To start the year it could’ve been argued he was a little behind Nico Daws and sitting No. 4 on the depth chart. He worked his way up into an NHL opportunity and made the most of it, posting a save percentage above .920 over 27 regular season+playoff games.

I think going with that tandem next year is perfectly justifiable. Vanecek has shown us three regular seasons in a row he can provide average (or better) goaltending while playing 40+ games as a platoon. Schmid looks ready for ~40 games, too, and he has shown he can get the job done when the games matter most.

If the Devils are truly determined to keep Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, et all – and I believe they are – they are going to have to save money elsewhere.

Going with a $4.25 million tandem that provided above average goaltending over 70 regular season appearances is a good way to do that.

Q: do you think the price for Hellebuyck would be justified for a 30 year old goalie (albeit a currently elite one)?