Is Mackenzie Blackwood currently the best goaltender in the Metro?

[Woncka]

(stats above are post-John Hynes)

Mackenzie Blackwood has done extremely well behind a mostly bad NJ team since his rookie year.

in particular though, statistically he has been a top-5 goaltender since John Hynes' firing... including a 2.12 and .938 in four starts so far this season (another tonight against Buffalo)

Do you think 24yo Mackenzie Blackwood is the best goaltender in the Metro as of today? Also this is my first ever thread of my own, gotta support my Devils!

Click to read more...

 

[Jets012]

Since Hynes got fired (which I think those stats are from) he's been stellar. He's one of the most underrated goalies in the league but I think the national media is starting to take notice. Great talent.

 

[tomobson]

I would say so, but goalies are voodoo.

 

[Woncka]

Since Hynes got fired (which I think those stats are from) he's been stellar. He's one of the most underrated goalies in the league but I think the national media is starting to take notice. Great talent.

Thats exactly what they are

i edited the original post to reflect this

was only three years ago many doubted Mackenzie after a terrible AHL season too!

 

[HBK27]

Yes

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

By Metro you mean the divisions we normally see?

That would be Hart, Samosonov, Jarry, Varlamov, Elvis, Mrazek, Shestyorkin as the likely alternatives from the other seven teams.

I think right now it probably comes down to Shestyorkin, Blackwood, Varlamov, and maybe Elvis.

I think Shestyorkin is the best of that list right now, but Blackwood is probably second.

 

[FinlandPanther]

His development path has been quite insane. He’s a pretty damn good goalie.

 

[Tripod]

Easy answer....this year yes.

 

[Devils090]

In my definitely unbiased opinion, yes

 

[Hivemind]

No, because he's playing in the Mass Mutual East Division

 

[Saitama]

I was pretty high on him coming into the draft and I'm glad to see him doing as good as I thought he would, even if it is with those stinky Devils!

 

[Hisch13r]

World.

 

[13th Floor]

Can't see how he's not. There's a serious glut of young goaltending talent in that division.

 

[Woncka]

By Metro you mean the divisions we normally see?

That would be Hart, Samosonov, Jarry, Varlamov, Elvis, Mrazek, Shestyorkin as the likely alternatives from the other seven teams.

I think right now it probably comes down to Shestyorkin, Blackwood, Varlamov, and maybe Elvis.

I think Shestyorkin is the best of that list right now, but Blackwood is probably second.

What would you be considering that would have Shestyorkin above Blackwood? Shestyorkin being a year older as well (though that doesnt have to do with current)

 

[Clint Eastwood]

Everyone talks about the Rangers, Sens, Canucks, etc as teams of the future. The Devils have a really good thing going for them. They still have a bit of work to do in their rebuild, but Blackwood backstopping it all for the future is gonna be great to see . . for both New Jersey and Team Canada (That's right I said it).

I know Newark, New Jersey isn't paradise, but that hockey team of there's isn't too shabby. Lots of promising youngsters.

 

[Woncka]

Everyone talks about the Rangers, Sens, Canucks, etc as teams of the future. The Devils have a really good thing going for them. They still have a bit of work to do in their rebuild, but Blackwood backstopping it all for the future is gonna be great to see . . for both New Jersey and Team Canada (That's right I said it).

I know Newark, New Jersey isn't paradise, but that hockey team of there's isn't too shabby. Lots of promising youngsters.

Luckily outside of Newark within an hours drive are some of the nicest suburbs in the country

NJ as a state gets a VERY bad rep due to the parts of North Jersey surrounding NYC

Most of the state outside of there is gorgeous (though expensive)

 

[jetsforever]

Metro goaltending is relatively weak right now, but I guess it depends how you define "currently".

 

[aufheben]

Luckily outside of Newark within an hours drive are some of the nicest suburbs in the country

NJ as a state gets a VERY bad rep due to the parts of North Jersey surrounding NYC

Most of the state outside of there is gorgeous (though expensive)

Preach, brother.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

What would you be considering that would have Shestyorkin above Blackwood? Shestyorkin being a year older as well (though that doesnt have to do with current)

Blackwood career .918 SV%. Shestyorkin career .928 SV%.

 

[Panda Bear]

Blackwood career .918 SV%. Shestyorkin career .928 SV%.

GSAx/60 >> SV%

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

GSAx/60 >> SV%

Blackwood Career GSAA/60: .21
Shestyorkin Career GSAA/60: .62

 

[Panda Bear]

Blackwood Career GSAA/60: .21
Shestyorkin Career GSAA/60: .62

GSAx, not GSAA

plus this thread explicitly is looking post-hynes

 

[Gurglesons]

I have to take Rask over him.

But, he is much better than any of the other young anointed starters on the Pens, Flyers, Caps, Rags or Isles.

 

[Woncka]

Blackwood career .918 SV%. Shestyorkin career .928 SV%.

He has 23* career games..

 

[Edmonton East]

Still confused on why Blackwood signed for 3 years @ $2.8 this offseason. RFA at expiry too.