Devils Goaltending

[HugeInTheShire]

I see a lot of outside fans that seem very concerned about the Devils goaltending. So I'm asking, how concerned are you about it?

Personally, I'm not worried at all. I'd rather play next season with VV and Schmid and see what they have in those 2.

I understand VV hasn't performed in the playoffs and Schmid is relatively untested, but there is zero reason to start making panic moves and address something that may not even be an issue.

I'd love to hear the rest of your opinions, even if it differs from mine.

Click to read more...

 

[Blackjack]

saying Vanacek didn’t perform in the playoffs is understating it to the point of distorting the record. He was miserable, I think Fitz may have moved on from him if he wasn’t under contract this year. He’s 27, he’s probably not getting any better.

 

[Xirik]

I would like a better starter but there are so few of them available and the ones that are are very pricey. I'm not that high on the idea of getting a more established backup so Schmid can play in the AHL.

 

[Call Me Al]

schmid played well enough in the regular season and playoffs to deserve a shot, and vanacek should be good enough during the regular season but i don’t trust him at all in the playoffs.

if they need to shore it up by the playoffs i’m sure someone will be available, but right now i don’t want to give up roster players or prospects for a goalie

 

[RememberTheName]

I think Schmid/Vanacek will be a fine 1a/1b type of situation. Rotate the starts basically 50/50, keep both of them fresh, and I think it will work out well. I think Schmid should definitely be recognized as the 1a in this situation, he's definitely earned it.

 

[devilsfan950003]

Goaltending is questionable. I agree, Schmid deserves a chance. Earlier this off-season, I thought the devils should upgrade their goaltending. Now, I'm confortable with Vanacek and Schmid. I saw the available goaltenders and the money they received, we wouldn't have any cap space. If Schmid and Vanacek falter, maybe they can trade for one mid-season. I think the defense has taken a step backwards, losing Severson and Graves. Luke looked great but it's too small of a sample size. Bahl showed promise towards the end of the season, but he has been a healthy scratch. Miller was a smart affordable pickup. We may need some dominant goaltending until these young defenseman gain experience.

 

[FinnishDevil]

I'm only concerned about Viteks mental side. He had a good season but sucked when the team needed him the most, lost the net to a rookie who outperformed him by a landslide. Can he put all that aside and have another good regular season? I believe so and hope so, but it should definitely be questioned more. Goalies who lose confidence are no joke.

Schmid I guess the main concern is that teams are gonna have more of a book on him and he's gonna have to to find another level. Any goalie in this league can have a good run, especially rookie season. Can he do it consistently when players know his playstyle and weaknesses, we'll see. I think he's more of a future option than Vitek for sure.

 

[Nubmer6]

I'm against getting another goalie unless it's a clear upgrade, and there's few I would consider that.

I think any goalie, including VV, can go on a hot streak in the playoffs.

 

[DevilDog]

The team’s window to win just opened. We can afford to wait and see what we have in Schmid. No need to rush the process.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

It's the clear weakness today I think. Because Schmid is waiver exempt the Devils have room to add a 3rd goalie imo, and would do it at the deadline if one of Vanecek/Schmid stink this year or get seriously hurt. I know the trade deadline goalie market is weird, but there's also a possibility Hellebuyck will be there and I think Fitz can find a deal if he has to.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

I'm not that worried to be honest knowing that we are 2 capable goalies going into the season, but if VV continues to have a hard time I think Fitzy will not have a choice to adress that come the deadline.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Vanacek played the most games of his admittedly short career last year - 52 versus a career high of 42.

I think he'll be a pretty average goalie with his workload decreased. The question to me is how to do that. I don't know if I'm ready to throw 35-40 games to Akira just yet.

 

[Billdo]

I'm not risking a bad deal on a free agent or trading anything worthy of the caliber of goaltender we need right now. I am ok with VV and Schmid for now as I am SUPER high on Schmid and think he can be 1A.

 

[Nocashstyle]

VV played well and relatively consistent for 52 games. Then he played very poorly for like 6.5 games. The narrative surrounding VV and the Devils goaltending situation is completely overblown and dramatic, especially from “neutral” fans who probably only watched VV in the playoffs and think they’re now experts.

Does it make you feel good that VV crumbled when it mattered most? No, of course not. But at the same time, it’s very silly to be so reactionary, because at the end of the day, VV had a much longer track record of being good this past season than being bad.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

saying Vanacek didn’t perform in the playoffs is understating it to the point of distorting the record. He was miserable, I think Fitz may have moved on from him if he wasn’t under contract this year. He’s 27, he’s probably not getting any better.

He’s also been perfectly average in the regular season on a fine contract. You have to get to the playoffs first. There aren’t many good goalies clearly above the mid-tier in the league.

There are some names near the bottom that you wouldn’t expect.

Vitek has no track record of success in the playoffs and I don’t expect much from him, but we’ve seen plenty of crazy stuff from goalies over the years. Like Bob going from a .905 goalie over the last 4 years to saving 16 above expected in the postseason

 

[RyGuy]

I am slightly concerned since losing Graves and Sevs will likely mean the defense wont be as good in their zone. Hopefully im wrong.

 

[forceten]

Some of what troubled me about Vanacek in the playoffs was for sure mental. Overplaying pucks, getting out of position, over using physical moves on saves that make it difficult to react to a rebound or broken play.

 

[Brodeur]

Almost feels like Quebec in the mid-90's, ton of talent but they had Stephane Fiset and Jocelyn Thibault in net before trading for Patrick Roy. Dallas won their division in 1996-97 with Andy Moog and Arturs Irbe then signed Ed Belfour in the offseason.

I'm fine with giving Vanecek/Schmid the year but in the back of my mind I'm wondering if Fitz has an eye on an upgrade.

 

[Nubmer6]

I'm fine with giving Vanecek/Schmid the year but in the back of my mind I'm wondering if Fitz has an eye on an upgrade.

He's already pretty much admitted he's keeping his eye out for one. He said he and his team discuss it every single day.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

im not a big Vanecek fan... or at least not to win a Cup with

and if we arent having two young goalies battle it out i wouldnt wanna run a 23yo for a cup either!

i still think Fitzgerald tries for a goalie; he seemed so adamant about it

 

[Camille the Eel]

Some of what troubled me about Vanacek in the playoffs was for sure mental. Overplaying pucks, getting out of position, over using physical moves on saves that make it difficult to react to a rebound or broken play.

I also disagree that our goaltending is “weak” relative to the competition. I count a handful of teams that have clearly superior goaltending compared to us. The Rangers and Islanders have studs and so does Boston but Carolina, Washington, Pittsburgh, Philly, Detroit, Ottawa, Buffalo, etc. etc. are pretty much in the same boat we are. If Schmid hits it would be an upgrade but even last year’s Schmid was adequate.

I’d call our goaltending situation average.

 

[Devils731]

I think goaltending is neither a strength nor weakness for the Devils, which is fine since they’re not paying a lot for it.

Outside a few goalies it’s tough to get consistency from the position so the Devils are lumped into a big middle with all the other teams that have “fine” goaltending.

 

[Goptor]

He was 8th in GAA and 16th in SV%.
Average to slightly above average NHL starter.

There is no reason to be concerned with that.

 

[Guttersniped]

Now of course

Spoiler: They’re both wholesome & adorable

It’s true.

Both hims.

But Vanecek didn’t implode in the playoffs, he first struggled quite a bit at the end of the year.

His 2022-23 season splits.

The bounce back in April is a little fakey because he was given soft match-ups at the end, presumably to try to boost his confidence.

First,

Spoiler: here’s Vitek’s first two season splits

Spoiler: Here’s when VV played & his results

And his results

And now

Spoiler: Here’s Schmid’s season splits

Spoiler: Here’s when Schmid played & his results

And his results

As you can see his sterling start was helped by weak opponents.

He had some great playoff games but he’s still somewhat of an unknown element.

I’m very wary at best about Hellebuyck. No matter what weird theories some people have about him taking a team friendly deal, I’m convinced his next contract will be huge.

Not feeling Gibson. Not convinced Boston trades a goalie right now. Definitely not convinced Vegas moves Thompson this season, it makes no sense for them.

So it’s either a sneaky move for me or nothing. It’s too bad Hart is a Flyer, assuming he’ll be unaffected by the Hockey Canada case, but he’s a Flyer, so if he gets traded it sure as shit won’t be here.



BONUS
Here’s Akira in the AHL:

Spoiler: Akira’s 2022-23 AHL results & when he played

And schedule
Oct 7 Minors (DOWN)

Nov 5 Emergency Loan (UP)

Dec 19 Minors (DOWN)

Jan 5 Emergency Loan (UP)
Jan 6 Minors (DOWN)

Feb 21 Emergency Loan (UP)

Mar 3 Minors (DOWN)/Emergency Loan (UP)
Mar 26 Minors (DOWN)

Apr 13 Emergency Loan (UP)

Spoiler: And fer fun, Akira’s 2021-22 AHL too.

And schedule
Oct 10 Minors (DOWN)

Dec 10 Emergency Loan (UP)

Jan 14 Minors (DOWN)
Jan 25 Emergency Loan (UP)

Feb 4 Minors (DOWN)
Feb 17 Emergency Loan (UP)
Feb 19 Minors (DOWN)

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

My thoughts on Vanecek is he will have a short leash. If he struggles, Schmid will take over the starter role and if they both struggle, Fitz will over pay for Hellebuyck.

I think Fitz will make up his mind about goaltending after 20 games. He won't wait til trade deadline to do a deal.