Keith Kinkaid’s Late Season Run Will Win Him A Job In Free Agency
By Nick Villano
Another stellar performance by New Jersey Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid shows a mid-season slump was only temporary. He is winning games for the team by himself to end the season.
Keith Kinkaid needed extra time to record his first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. It seems like forever ago when Kinkaid was at risk of losing his backup job.
Since March 1st, Kinkaid has allowed two or less goals in six out of eight games. In that time, he has a .933 save percentage.
Kinkaid is a free agent at the end of the season. There was a time when it seemed like he had very little chance finding a spot on another team, at least with a guaranteed NHL spot.
Between December and February, Kinkaid was not very good. He allowed four or more goals in five games, including two games where he allowed six goals. He ruined his trade value right before the Trade Deadline, and it looked like his value was done for good.
After head coach John Hynes said he was giving Kinkaid reps towards the end of the season, he’s been very good. He is clearly showing that the team can rely on him when he gets the start,
Showcasing Kinkaid is all about next year. No matter how well he plays, he isn’t going to overtake Cory Schneider as the starting goalie.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
The Devils’ goalie pipeline looks good, but it is questionable if any of them are ready to take Kinkaid’s job. Scott Wedgewood looked very good to start the season, but suffered a season-ending injury in the first two months of the season. MacKenzie Blackwood may be the future of the team’s netminders, after the Devils used a second-round pick in 2015. He was far too inconsisten with the Albany Devils this season for coaches to have serious consideration for next year. Ken Appleby was decent at times, but his final stats won’t make anyone excited to have him play between the pipes.
Honestly, this end of season run for Kinkaid may force the Devils to bring him back. He won’t cost a lot, and could give the team some room until their goalie pipeline develops. If the Devils decide to move on, then Kinkaid will have multiple teams lining up for his services.