Clemmensen's return and the battle for the backup job

[njdss4]

Gulitti's take on the situation (from a comment he posted on his post), which is basically exactly what I was thinking:

"The more I think about it, I think Clemmensen will be the back up unless he shows he just can't play at this level anymore. DeBoer keeps saying that he wants Schneider to play "a lot" and he mentioned 70 games to me about a week before camp. Although they won't come right out and say it, i think that's the number of games they'll be shooting for with Schneider as long as things go the way they want.

That will leave only 12 starts or so for the backup and long stretches without playing. I don't think they're going to want Kinkaid to sit for that long just so they can say he's the backup. They'll prefer to let him play in the AHL and then if they need to have the backup play more games for some reason, he might get the call.

Kinkaid doesn't have to clear waivers, so they can send him down and bring him back up whenever they want.

I could be wrong about that, but it's just the sense I get."

Crud. That makes sense. If that's the plan, I hope Clemmensen gets a lot of the remaining preseason starts so that everyone can be damn sure that he's still capable. I'm not sold on him yet, at all.

 

[JWomp]

Kinkaid is the backup. He earned it last year in the minors. Clemmensen is done. I think the only reason he was brought in was to lure "Big" Gio back.

I would expect a Wedgewood/Clermont duo in the minors this year

You don't think Stephen would've been enough to lure Brian back? There's no way Lou signed Clemmensen with that in mind.

Unless there is an injury to Schneider, Clemmensen, Kinkaid, or Wedgewood, Clermont will spend the season in the ECHL.

Crud. That makes sense. If that's the plan, I hope Clemmensen gets a lot of the remaining preseason starts so that everyone can be damn sure that he's still capable. I'm not sold on him yet, at all.

I think the backup job was Clemmensen's to lose, and by playing well and picking up the win tonight, I think he solidified the job. It takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of personality to be a backup and sit on the bench for 70 games while only playing in 10. That's not Kinkaid. He is too young for that. He needs/wants to play more than that, and regular time in the AHL will be best for his development. Of course, if Clemmensen falters in his rare starts, we will probably see Kinkaid in NJ, but I think it will be Clemmensen to start the year.

 

[CKPLAYA]

You don't think Stephen would've been enough to lure Brian back? There's no way Lou signed Clemmensen with that in mind.

Unless there is an injury to Schneider, Clemmensen, Kinkaid, or Wedgewood, Clermont will spend the season in the ECHL.



I think the backup job was Clemmensen's to lose, and by playing well and picking up the win tonight, I think he solidified the job. It takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of personality to be a backup and sit on the bench for 70 games while only playing in 10. That's not Kinkaid. He is too young for that. He needs/wants to play more than that, and regular time in the AHL will be best for his development. Of course, if Clemmensen falters in his rare starts, we will probably see Kinkaid in NJ, but I think it will be Clemmensen to start the year.

My thought is, if the Devils have their #1 for the next 5 years or so they should give a kid the chance as a backup build their resume and move them for a pick or prospect. It only makes sense to try to increase their value by giving them big league experience.

 

[manilaNJ]

I think the backup job was Clemmensen's to lose, and by playing well and picking up the win tonight, I think he solidified the job. It takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of personality to be a backup and sit on the bench for 70 games while only playing in 10. That's not Kinkaid. He is too young for that. He needs/wants to play more than that, and regular time in the AHL will be best for his development. Of course, if Clemmensen falters in his rare starts, we will probably see Kinkaid in NJ, but I think it will be Clemmensen to start the year.

Just looking through the schedule, the Devils have 8 sets of backs to backs between now and the new year. 5 of those in November alone.
They also play 15 games in the month of December - 4 games in 7 nights through the first 3 weeks until Christmas.

Kinkaid still is ineligible for waivers, and it looks like the backup will see a bunch of playing time right off the bat. It would be worth it to keep the kid around, I think.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Can Kinkaid get sent down to Albany w/o going through waivers?

If so, Clemmer will be the backup.

 

[manilaNJ]

Can Kinkaid get sent down to Albany w/o going through waivers?

The answer is directly above your post

His ineligibility is up after 53 more games (starts, not backup appearances, I believe) or the end of the 2014-2015 season.

 

[Desert Devil]

I really do think Kinkaid deserves the job. I'm pretty excited to see what he can do for us. This is the perfect position for him to be in.

 

[JerryGigantic]

You don't think Stephen would've been enough to lure Brian back? There's no way Lou signed Clemmensen with that in mind.

Unless there is an injury to Schneider, Clemmensen, Kinkaid, or Wedgewood, Clermont will spend the season in the ECHL.



I think the backup job was Clemmensen's to lose, and by playing well and picking up the win tonight, I think he solidified the job. It takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of personality to be a backup and sit on the bench for 70 games while only playing in 10. That's not Kinkaid. He is too young for that. He needs/wants to play more than that, and regular time in the AHL will be best for his development. Of course, if Clemmensen falters in his rare starts, we will probably see Kinkaid in NJ, but I think it will be Clemmensen to start the year.

Huge fan of Kinky, and that behind the back move was pretty baller, but alas the writing is on the wall here as well. And makes sense. Clemmer warms the bench, Kinky holds down the AHL starting job. If G-d forbid Schneids gets hurt, then Kinky can come up to ride us into the dust.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

ugh. just let Kinkaid have the job.

 

[manilaNJ]

Again, the Devils have 8 sets of back to backs in the first 3 months of the season.

They have a pretty busy schedule in November & December.

At worst, I think there are at least 8 games in a 12 week time span that I can see the backup taking on. Unless they're really going to push Cory's workload right off the bat.

I don't think that's the hardest adjustment for an AHL goalie to make considering the compressed, weekend heavy scheduling in that league. Plus, Kinkaid was splitting some starts with Wedgewood.

Kinkaid's average workload from the AHL last season might not be too terribly far off from the potential opportunities available in the first half of this season. I don't think he'll be wasted sitting on the bench as far as that's concerned.

Even if they want to send him back down when things get a little quieter for the backup, he doesn't need waivers to do so.

To me, it makes a lot of sense to keep him up. Or to bring him up at least by November.

 

[NJDevs26]

I think the backup job was Clemmensen's to lose, and by playing well and picking up the win tonight, I think he solidified the job. It takes a certain kind of person with a certain kind of personality to be a backup and sit on the bench for 70 games while only playing in 10. That's not Kinkaid. He is too young for that. He needs/wants to play more than that, and regular time in the AHL will be best for his development. Of course, if Clemmensen falters in his rare starts, we will probably see Kinkaid in NJ, but I think it will be Clemmensen to start the year.

Then why are they still holding off on declaring a 'winner' and changing their plan of letting Cory start the final two preseason games? If anything it's possible you're right and they wanted Clemmensen to win the job BUT Kinkaid's been better so far so they're dragging their feet now to make absolutely sure he deserves to stay.

 

[HBK27]

The better goaltender just needs to win the backup job, which IMO so far has been Kinkaid. You know what you’re getting with Clemmenson at this point, and it’s really not that good.

I really don’t know how beneficial another year in the AHL would be for Kinkaid – it might just be better for his to get NHL experience sooner than later. The Devils also have the option of sending him down to Albany for stretches to get a few games in to keep fresh during periods when there are few back-to-backs and the Devils are riding Schneider. Let’s be real – there isn’t another team out there that’s going to take Clemmenson off waivers. If by some miracle that happens and Schneider gets injured for a long stretch (lots of huge if’s), then there’s still a stable of NHL caliber vets still available & waiting to be signed.

I’d like to see Kinkaid get one more start these next two games to win the job outright or at least let the two split another game. Based on what I’ve seen/read so far, he’s our best option.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I think theClemmer is fine with Albany, his family lives around Sarasota all year long. even coaching there in the future. The key is Reuben can handle the work load.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Cory is starting the final two and is playing the entire game tomorrow so I guess practice is the only way to make the final choice.

 

[JWomp]

Then why are they still holding off on declaring a 'winner' and changing their plan of letting Cory start the final two preseason games? If anything it's possible you're right and they wanted Clemmensen to win the job BUT Kinkaid's been better so far so they're dragging their feet now to make absolutely sure he deserves to stay.

To let Kinkaid soak up some more of the NHL experience and to have an extra goalie on hand for practices. I still think it's going to be Clemmensen. We'll see though.

 

[MadDevil]

I'm okay with either guy being the backup. If Kinkaid gets it and falters, Clemmensen isn't the worst option. Or the other way around either. As long as they don't pull a Hedberg and completely stink up the joint.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I've not heard anyone say Clemmer played well in the last flyers game.

He saw barely any shots. Looked bad on the goal given up and got gifted by whistles on potentially two more goals from what I've read.

If it is his to lose it sounds like Clemmer lost it because kinkaid has looked better and I don't see how that can be argued from the actual time played.

Another game could help decide it but Pete is more concerned with making sure Cory is sharp and ready for game 1 then to spend more time on this camp battle.

 

[devilsblood]

Clem as the back up is a pretty lousy idea. As is planning on giving Cory 70 starts.

 

[Desert Devil]

They probably already made their decision on who will be the backup, if they didn't yet then I don't think it's the greatest idea to rely solely on practices. The only reason I see them giving it to Clemmer is so Kinkaid can see a lot of action in the AHL. Other than that I have no idea, Kinkaid has definitely looked better.

 

[devilsblood]

They probably already made their decision on who will be the backup, if they didn't yet then I don't think it's the greatest idea to rely solely on practices. The only reason I see them giving it to Clemmer is so Kinkaid can see a lot of action in the AHL. Other than that I have no idea, Kinkaid has definitely looked better.

But he prob gets no better then half the starts at Albany, otherwise he cuts into Wedge's development. So 40ish games in Albany or 22 in the NHL? Given that he has already spent 3 seasons in Albany and given that he is already 25 yrs old, I'm thinking lesser starts in the NHL is actually better for his development.

 

[Deleted member 28548]

Kinkaid should be the Devils backup this season. Its his time to shine in the NHL.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

its Kinky time.

 

[HBK27]

But he prob gets no better then half the starts at Albany, otherwise he cuts into Wedge's development. So 40ish games in Albany or 22 in the NHL? Given that he has already spent 3 seasons in Albany and given that he is already 25 yrs old, I'm thinking lesser starts in the NHL is actually better for his development.

Absolutely agree that fewer NHL starts is probably better for his development at this point than more games in the AHL. Plus, we're probably looking at a similar situation (Schneider starting up to 70 games) for many years, so at what point does Kinkaid finally have enough AHL experience to have been properly developed and transition into a backup role in the NHL?

He deserves to be the backup in NJ this season.

 

[GhostofKenKlee]

I meant Saratoga, not Sarasota.

Clemmer is Albany bound with callup potention.

 

[glenwo2]

Kinkaid should be the Devils backup this season. Its his time to shine in the NHL.

Sorry for the bump but I'm sure many are now aware that Kinky was assigned to Albany(I remember Cangy mentioning this on the devils/rags broadcast) and we'll have to deal with Clemmer as the backup. This is just too surreal for words.


Though I'm guessing it's to give Kinky more work instead of sitting on his butt doing hardly anything while Cory gets the bulk of the starts.

(and yes, I posted this before reading the Devils Discussion thread. BOOOO @ Me. )