Keith Kinkaid allowed six goals in possibly his last game with the New Jersey Devils. That is, if anyone wants him anymore.
With the Trade Deadline less than two weeks away, teams are putting together its pitches to try and make them better. The New Jersey Devils are in a very weird spot, falling in between playoff contender and top of the lottery.
One player that always seemed expendable whether contenders or not was Keith Kinkaid.
Coming into Sunday night, he was having by far his best season. He had a .920 save percentage, which is actually better than Cory Schneider’s .914. If he played enough games to qualify, that number would tie him in the top ten in that category (admittedly less if other players qualified).
Obviously, the backup position would be even more solidified if the Albany Devils’ Scott Wedgewood didn’t suffer a season-ending should injury, and if Mackenzie Blackwood progressed like many had hoped, but the team is going to rely on Schneider the rest of the way anyhow. Ken Appleby has enough to provide support for the starter over the last 20 or so games. This makes Kinkaid expendable.
Kinkaid is also on the last year of his contract. The Devils would love to get a third-round pick for a guy who the front office probably didn’t plan on keeping past this season.
There is some real trade value for a good backup goalie. No team is going to overpay for one, but teams are definitely willing to take a chance with a third or fourth round pick if they need one badly.
Then Sunday happened.
Kinkaid went from possibly the best option for a team in need of a backup, or even someone to share a starting role, to a guy with no options.
Kinkaid was beyond bad Sunday. He allowed six goals against the New York Islanders. The team took just 32 shots against him. So a goalie who for the season has a .920 save percentage, put up a .813 in a game his team needed badly.
What makes it worse is how the last game Kinkaid started went.
Taking on the high-powered offense of the Washington Capitals, Kinkaid looked like a backup. He barely made it halfway through the game before head coach John Hynes had to call on Schneider to relieve him. He allowed four goals on 17 shots in just over 30 minutes.
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Kinkaid was never going to be the hottest name on the market. Two goalies who took their team to Stanley Cup Finals (Ben Bishop and Marc-Andre Fleury) are reportedly on the market. The teams who struck out on them could have easily given the Devils a call. Now, they might be happier with whoever they have on the roster.
Kinkaid went from a trade chip to an afterthought in the matter of three hours.